Huawei, a leading global ICT solutions provider, is set to showcase how a new generation of smarter Digital Oilfield technologies is set to streamline efficiencies, reduce security risks and minimize overhead costs in the energy sector.
Technology has the ability to replace the role of human site inspectors who risk their lives working in extremely hazardous conditions. Not only is oil exploration becoming more competitive with theft of sensitive data a recurring threat, but oil projects usually take place in hazardous terrains and parts of the world that sometimes experience political instability.
The need for a greater health and safety environment along with achieving higher levels of efficiency is currently causing energy companies to reconsider their investment models in information and communications technology (ICT). Government personnel, Health and Safety Environment (HSE) officers and CIOs in regional oil & gas businesses are realizing the importance of reliable ICT systems and devices that will ensure that its employees in the field are physically safe from any potential harm as well as the potential to increase operational efficiencies.
Energy companies can greatly improve their processes and drive competitiveness through new technologies, specifically the adoption of digital oilfield and intelligent pipeline solutions.
Digital Energy or Digital Oilfields are about focusing information technology on the objectives of the petroleum business rather than the needs of the IT department. These business drivers include optimizing hydrocarbon production, improving operational safety, protecting the environment, maximizing and discovering reserves in addition to maintaining a competitive edge. A Digital Oilfield is defined by how a petroleum business deploys its technology, people and processes to support one or more of these drivers.
Digital Oil Field production software applications capture the behavior of the oil field on the PC. The applications are used as an on-line management system of the oil and gas company's assets throughout the assets' entire lifecycles.
Worth $200b
The dynamic evolution of advanced technology in the oil & gas industry is continuing to enable geophysical assessment, drilling, exploration & production and really almost all disciplines of oil & gas operations in what has been aptly dubbed the Digital Oilfield.
It is estimated that by 2015, the value of digital oilfield services is expected to exceed $200 billion, a growth of more than 40% from current market size.
Oil companies in the region are also starting to implement more reliable ICT infrastructures that allow for the use of big data technology solutions, to deal with the deluge of data travelling from remote sites to facilities. In order for systems to be capable of managing, analyzing and extracting value from big data, High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions are also required.
Widely adopted in petroleum exploration organizations, HPC solutions are designed to process large amounts of computing in short time periods and increase efficient processing capabilities, providing easier access to more information.
“Oil companies need to ensure they have a secure and reliable infrastructure, which allows for the use of wireless technologies, cloud, Big Data, High Performance Computer (HPC), Emergency Command Center solutions and Unified Tele-presence services. By having a unified ICT system, operators will be able to intelligently and automatically capture key performance field, refinery and pipeline data reducing the need for engineers to risk spending time in the field,” Asfar Zaidi, principal consultant for Huawei, was quoted by Business Intelligence Middle East as saying.
His company will display the new oil field technology at Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) 2014, taking place on November 11.
