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Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Predictive Maintenance in the Oil and Gas Industry

Predictive maintenance, powered by these new technologies, is poised to redefine maintenance strategies in the rapidly evolving oil and gas sector.

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTOR:
Steve Schoeni, Vice President of Fuels SRM & New Construction
APTIM | Resilience & Infrastructure Solutions
Steve.Schoeni@APTIM.com

Steve brings 30+ years of oil and gas industry experience to APTIM, where he leads an 80-member engineering team on global projects. He expertly oversees engineering, construction management, and operations and maintenance, focusing on safety, quality, and environmental standards. His strategic leadership extends across operational planning, design reviews, and client collaboration, ensuring excellence in service delivery to Departments of Energy and Defense and commercial clients.

 

Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Predictive Maintenance in the Oil and Gas Industry

Predictive maintenance is a proactive strategy that employs data gathering and analysis tools and techniques to detect anomalies and predict equipment failures before they occur. Unlike traditional maintenance models, which are often reactive or time-based, predictive maintenance focuses on foreseeing problems and prompting action before failures, ensuring higher uptime, enhanced safety, and optimized operational costs.

Predictive Maintenance in the Oil and Gas Industry

In the oil and gas industry, predictive maintenance utilizes inspections and data collected from sensors strategically placed on equipment and machinery. This data, encompassing vibration, temperature, and other critical operational parameters, is monitored and analyzed through sophisticated algorithms and/or reliability expert to identify patterns or anomalies that may indicate a potential failure. By leveraging technology, advanced analytics, and reliability expertise, companies can preemptively initiate maintenance procedures, thereby minimizing downtime and avoiding costly disruptions. This not only ensures the smooth operation of drilling rigs, pipelines, and refineries but also significantly enhances safety by reducing the risk of hazardous incidents.

Emerging Technologies in Predictive Maintenance

The advent of emerging technologies has been a game-changer for predictive maintenance in the oil and gas industry. These technologies not only refine the process of data collection and analysis but also open up new avenues for predictive accuracy, efficiency, and safety in the oil and gas sector:

  • Internet of things technology for real-time monitoring is at the forefront of predictive maintenance. These technologies facilitate continuous surveillance of equipment condition, providing instant alerts at the first sign of potential failure.
  • Artificial intelligence algorithms can analyze vast datasets more efficiently than human operators, identifying patterns and anomalies that might indicate equipment failure.
  • Machine learning models, trained on historical data, improve over time, increasing their accuracy in predicting potential issues.
  • Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) offer maintenance technicians a hands-free, interactive method of accessing real-time data, manuals, and schematics while on the job site. This technology not only speeds up the identification and repair process but also significantly enhances the safety and effectiveness of maintenance operations.

APTIM’s Innovations in Predictive Maintenance

APTIM specializes in enhancing the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of oil and gas infrastructure through a broad spectrum of services, from design and construction to maintenance and decommissioning. Leveraging advanced technology and deep industry insights, APTIM supports the entire lifecycle of oil and gas assets, ensuring high standards and effective maintenance to minimize downtime and extend lifespan.

With advanced predictive maintenance and a commitment to sustainability—reducing emissions, managing waste, and improving energy efficiency—APTIM contributes to the sector’s move towards sustainable practices and adapts to the changing energy landscape. Our approach integrates several key technological innovations and processes:

  • Our proprietary Asset Management Information System uses key performance indicators to enable effective management process evaluation and taking actions in a timely manner.
  • Augmented reality provides field personnel with instant access to expert support, significantly reducing the time to address critical equipment issues.
  • NavVis 3D laser scanning and eye scanning refines the precision and reliability by enabling the maintainability view for the subject matter experts to identify gaps in the maintenance.
  • APTIM’s experience in the oil and gas industry is used to connect both traditional maintenance activities with advanced condition-based monitoring for optimal uptime of equipment and processes.

Implementing these technologies and processes allows APTIM to offer unmatched services in condition-based maintenance, reliability, and asset integrity. Our comprehensive strategy, underpinned by a commitment to safety and excellence, positions APTIM as a leading force in bringing predictive maintenance to the forefront of the oil and gas industry.

A Promising Future

The oil and gas industry’s future hinges on adopting innovative maintenance strategies that can keep pace with the technological and operational complexities of modern energy production. Professionals in the oil and gas sector, whether on the frontline of maintenance engineering or in strategic planning roles, must take note of these emerging trends. The shift towards predictive maintenance, informed and supported by technological advancements, is not just a potential game-changer but a necessary evolution to meet the industry’s demands in a rapidly changing world. With APTIM leading the charge, the terrain of predictive maintenance is poised for evolution, promising operators a future where efficiency, safety, and sustainability go hand in hand. Contact us  today to learn how APTIM can transform your facility’s operations.

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