S05 ORME 5 2020 Pipeline Review2_Layout 1 24/07/2020 08:04 Page 16
Pipeline Review
Digital transformation in the
pipeline industry MID THE GLOBAL pandemic, pipeline operators in particular must adapt their processes, procedures and staff to more extensive digitalisation in order to meet supply and safety responsibilities. Pipeline operators need to shift staff to crisis management tasks, which leaves a large gap in the capacity to perform business-as-usual operations. The ability of pipeline operators to leverage process automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities has become essential. In addition, pipeline companies around the world are more vulnerable than ever to cyberattacks as a result of the pandemic. As attackers try to take advantage of the situation, the ability of all companies to defend themselves against this threat has become critical. These aspects were covered during the event in several live presentations from DNV GL, ILF Consulting Engineers, BIL, Hifi Engineering, Baker Hughes, ROSEN and Vallources, and a live panel discussion with participants from Shell UK, Energinet Denmark, BIL and Baker Hughes. In a keynote presentation on ‘The role of digitalisation in future-proofing the pipeline industry’, Rob van de Spek, head of risk management advisory and digital lead, Continental Europe, Middle East and India, DNV-GL – Oil & Gas, discussed how digitalisation is enabling safer and more efficient pipeline operations, stressing the importance of data quality and availability for improved decision-making. “Pipeline operators have to balance conflicting drivers ranging from opportunities and costs to performance and risk,” he said. Industry 4.0 enablers ranging from AI, IoT, cybersecurity and cloud computing to augmented reality and big data analytics, can help operators to improve performance and reduce TCO while staying in control of risks. A global oil and gas survey carried out by DNV GL, which included 100 global pipeline operators, highlighted digitalisation priorities as data platforms and managing data across
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A Virtual Pipeline Summit held by Germany’s EITEP Institute on 30 June provided a forum to discuss the potential of digitalisation in the pipeline industry. Louise Waters reports.
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Issue 5 2020
Digitalisation can bring huge benefits for pipeline integrity.
different operations; cloud-based applications; and, increasingly, AI. “If you’re looking at the topics which are important, it’s about data quality and availability of data within those platforms to ensure that we can take decisions based on quality data and the right data,” he said. However, while there is a concensus
While we have ambitions and priorities, we also need to have the capabilities to make it happen.”
amongst pipeline operators with regard to the importance of digitalisation, technology and cultural barriers are preventing the industry from accelerating as fast as it would like. In particular there is a strong demand for AI and data science specialists with domain expertise, he added. “We see this as one of the critical factors in reaping the benefits of this kind of technology,” stressed van de Spek.” While we have ambitions and priorities, we also need to have the capabilities to make it happen.” He highlighted the importance of breaking down information silos; creating platforms to allow the management of information and data related to the pipeline ecosystem and operations; spanning operational boundaries with those platforms; and advancing pipeline
