IOT – Ruling the Oil and Gas Industry – II

The extension of connectivity through the internet between the physical devices of regular use and the digital technology takes a disguise as the Internet of Things, in the Oil and gas industries they can be embedded into the electronic devices, sensors and much more. The communication to these devices can be established through the internet and also can be monitored with remote access without manual operations or physical presence. IoT provides real-time data regarding the entire rig, may be related to employees, transportation, storage, or machinery.

The IoT synced with the offshore rig equipment increases efficiency and safety, by tracking the lifespan of the machinery which can otherwise affect the production. IoT helps to detect the machinery breakdown even before it can occur, this automatically enhances the productivity and the time lag because of unexpected breakdown or repair is relatively less or zero. Integrating IoT into the sensors in the offshore rigs will also give a real-time update of tide, heights, humidity, and temperature. IoT collects the real-time data which can be channeled into the digital analytics system, which can improve production deleting all the minor errors. IoT captures the production details from all the production units and helps the organization to make strategies and decisions regarding the production without physical presence.

Drone technology helps to monitor and inspect the non-accessible and dangerous assets. Visual inspection of all such assets remotely is possible with real-time high-resolution images fed into the drone operators, this enables the analysis of genuine issues and directing the team to resolve the same, which improves the efficiency and reduces the time lag in addressing the issues. This technology can inspect acres of refineries in hours. Certain critical offshore projects need to be shut down if in case there is a manual inspection, this affects the production, in such a scenario the Drone technology is the ultimate solution.

The Drone Technology can also capture the images which can be of great help in learning aid when the images are integrated with the 3D modeling. The fabulous image of rock outcrops in combination with laser mapping  can develop virtual videos. Sedimentary features of rock such as porosity, permeability, thickness, and structure can be studied thoroughly. This technology though ceases to cancel the limitations concerned with manpower, has the flaw of server failure of the portal which might by chance miss out on a major issue that has to be addressed.

What needs to be debated is whether IQ tests, as currently designed, are fit for purpose, and capable of measuring the changing nature of intelligence in the 21st century among generations brought up with digital technology and different learning habits- David Olusoga