S09 ORME 4 2022 Asset integrity_Layout 1 23/06/2022 15:34 Page 36
Digitalisation
Enhancing production efficiency
with the digital twin How can digital twins help to optimise field development and project delivery, and boost production? A digital twin is basically a digital representation of reality. Digital twins create a virtual model of production assets, with advanced systems that can constantly be updated in real time. The model equips oil and gas operators with tools to upgrade planning and operational standards, provide unprecedented insights and enable predictive analysis through the use of big and real time data to deliver new oilfield insights for action accordingly, thereby increasing efficiencies across oilfields. Digital twins are rapidly becoming a standard for every new and a growing number of existing facilities. In the future, the industry will exist in both the physical and virtual worlds, with a strong interconnected ecosystem for improved production, asset life, efficiency and safety. In the case of production, through the use of sensors, the production digital twin provides insights into operations which can save time for field workers. Field workers are then able to remotely receive alerts to schedule and address irregular conditions at earlier stages. This is one scenario of how increased efficiency through a digital twin can enable companies to optimise project delivery and boost production. In fact, Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) have recognised the concept and metaphor of an “IoT digital twin” for some time (attributed to Michael Grieves in 2002). In industry, this is used to plan, test and optimise systems, but also to train employees in their use. In production, a digital twin can also be linked to real-time information for a
The production digital twin provides insights into operations which can save time for field workers.” 36
oilreview.me
Issue 4 2022
Image Credit : Adobe Stock
Vijay Jaswal, CTO – Middle East and Turkey for Software AG discusses how the digital twin can help companies achieve their production and sustainability objectives.
holistic view of the system. Typical applications include asset monitoring, predictive maintenance and virtual simulations to optimise system performance by changing parameters (such as temperatures, pressure or energy consumption). A digital twin and metaverse are known to be closely linked – both would require a virtual representation of the oil and gas and allow users to play with the various parameters to boost production and gain the optimum amount of end product out of the refinery. In fact, IoT digital twins will also be seen in the metaverse.
twins play a significant role in helping the world overcome sustainability goals and challenges, resulting in operational excellence and supply chain optimisation and planning. Through real time data-rich environment, the digital twin with other integrated technologies can be used as a predictive guide to the future for smarter and informed decisions. The upstream sector in the Middle East is a prime user of digital twins to reduce costs, resources and carbon footprint. IoT digital twins are also expected to pop up in real-life situations from asset management to helping control climate change.
How can digital twins help companies achieve their sustainability and emissions reduction objectives? Sustainability in the upstream sector is becoming more important by the year, and the Middle East is making great strides towards lowering its carbon footprint. As the physical and digital worlds converge, digital
How can digital twins help to promote collaboration and data-sharing? An enterprise management system (EMS) is often used synonymously. Within the trend map, the DTO / EMS concept is important for strategic transformations, business model innovation, and operational optimisation (business process excellence).
