Integrated Operations - challenges due to technology reliance in collaboration

Abstract

This study explores implications of Information and Collaboration Technology (ICT) mediated collaboration in relation to geographically separate collaboration facilities and practice. The main objectives have been to identify potential challenges due to the dependency on collaboration technology, increasing the insight into potential vulnerabilities arising in the interface between the operators and the collaboration technology and contributing to insight in potential areas of improvement. The study is delimited to the views and perspectives of personnel in current onshore positions supporting offshore operations i.e. the research results represent an onshore perspective on the subject of inquiry only. Furthermore, the study focuses on collaboration within drilling operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) limited to routine operations. The research is conducted as an exploratory case study, presenting findings from interviews with industry professionals across 3 major Oil & Gas (O&G) companies on the NCS. The findings represent information about current concerns and challenges faced by industry professionals in the operational context of Integrated Operations (IO). The interviews revealed a potential for further improvement of the integration between onshore and offshore, in particular within the areas of communication and collaboration. Based on the findings, potential areas of improvement have been identified. The findings and the exploratory nature of the study identifies several areas for further research.