EvaluTec, a proprietary app for digitizing operational practice assessments, has been recognized in Colombia, proof that technology, when created by those who use it, can deliver real value.

At an event held at the Hilton in Bogotá, in front of an audience of more than 3,000 people, a Tecpetrol Colombia team stepped up to receive the SURA 2025 Recognition. EvaluTec is an evaluation app developed in just under four months by the Operations and HSE teams which was subsequently named best project in the Technological Innovation and Digitalization category.

The SURA Awards initiative is a platform developed by Latin American investment company SURA to showcase companies that implement innovative and responsible business practices to promote well-being, competitiveness, and sustainability. It’s presented every year to Health, Safety and Environment teams from the Group’s member companies.

This was Tecpetrol’s first time taking part, and the company took home the only award which has to do with to the use of Artificial Intelligence tools, in addition to other awards for its performance in the categories of Leadership and Organizational Culture, Market Inclusion, and Environmental Sustainability.

“The idea sprang from a very concrete need,” explains Jean Carlos Motta Osma, Production Supervisor and project lead. “We wanted to make our operational practices easier and clearer, by developing a step-by-step guide to help transfer knowledge, streamline tasks, and always keep risk assessment front and center.”

What really set the project apart was where it came from. “It was obvious that this initiative was born in the field, from the real needs of the people doing the work every day,” says Ángel Olmos, HSE Analyst and member of the award-winning team. “That says a lot about Tecpetrol’s culture and its ability to listen, and that’s something the jury truly valued, because it’s where real value is created.”

How it works

Anyone who works in the field knows how important this is. Tecpetrol teams, contractors and suppliers are required to pass a knowledge test on the operational practices related to their tasks. Until recently, that test was a multiple-choice questionnaire done on paper. Today, it’s fully digital.

“What really stands out is the way Operations and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) came together,” reflects Juan Pablo Presser, HSE Senior Manager. “We were facing a shared challenge, and we decided to tackle it jointly. That collaborative effort is what makes this initiative so strong.” He adds: “Our focus is always on people’s skills. The initiative began in Colombia, and have become something that can add value across all of Tecpetrol.”

EvaluTec was developed entirely in-house, using Microsoft 365 tools such as Power Apps, SharePoint, Power BI, Power Automate, and Outlook. It works on any device and was built without going to the market.

“It was a fully internal development,” Juan Pablo explains. “It grew out of the Citizens BI Program promoted by IT, which trains people so they can develop solutions themselves, without needing constant support from the systems team.” In fact, Jean Carlos is one of those Citizens.

Once the idea was on the table, teams from both areas worked together on the first drafts, refining the tool to give different types of users more autonomy. The goal was to allow tailored evaluations based on operational practices and roles. Among its main benefits are easier knowledge transfer, full digitization of information, reduced paper use, and fast, transparent access to data.

After it was up and running, the project was entered into a national competition. It went through several jury evaluation stages, including interviews and reviews by external specialists. It was also recognized internally at Tecpetrol. Today, EvaluTec is being tested for implementation in Neuquén.

“It started as a small idea that kept growing,” admits Jean Carlos, a petroleum engineer who actively took on the challenge of learning about AI and new digital tools. “We never imagined it would receive this level of internal recognition.”

“The real impact shows in how widely it’s being used,” says Guillermo Rubio, Production Manager. “Today, almost all field Operations personnel use EvaluTec. That means the tool isn’t just being used, it’s talked about, recommended, and naturally integrated into everyday work, making processes easier and improving the user experience.”