Evaluation of the potential for automation and robot technology, with focus on condition monitoring on static systems for topside offshore facilities.

Abstract

Digitalization has become one of the most important development areas across industries and work processes. We know that this also has high focus in the oil industry today. Therefore, my contribution would be to try to see where the oil and gas industry is today, the trends and what are the potential moving forward. Automation and use of robot technology has developed very rapidly the last years. Technology trends indicates large potential for automated systems in maintenance and condition monitoring. We see that this technology is implemented to a large extent in other industries. The drivers for the oil and gas industry has historically been based on improved safety. We see now a potential for both cost avoidance, reduced downtime and less impact on the environment Maintenance and inspection is a large cost for the oil industry. In addition, these processes often cause shut down of the facilities. Condition monitoring and maintenance is based on the actual status of equipment and systems. Today’s technology makes it possible. In addition, robot technology has a potential for improving safety and reduce cost and downtime by avoiding human interactions. The oil and gas industry has not been a front runner compared to other industries. The conservatism driven by safety and reliability requirements might be one reason to this. At the same time, we see a growing interest and a lot of initiatives and developments. I have chosen to study topside static systems on offshore platforms. This to be able to narrow down the study. But in general, the descriptions, analysis and discussions may also be relevant for other systems.