How Robotics Can Transform Oil and Gas
The usage of robotics has increased manifold over the last few years, due to technological advancements and an increased appetite to automate repetitive processes. Oil and gas companies have also started utilizing robots to eradicate inefficient processes, automate dangerous tasks and increase profit margins. It has been observed that the production phase of oil and gas operations is where robotics can add the maximum value. This blog will look to discuss the applications and benefits of robotics in energy and utilities and also look to highlight robotics’ potential to transform this sector.
Applications of Robotics in Offshore Oil and Gas
Offshore installations pose many challenges for human operators due to their inherent nature. Robotics play a key role in each operation type as discussed below: –
Upstream: On locating oil wells, operators start drilling to extract the underlying oil or gas reservoir. Robotics can enable players to undertake automated drilling without the need for human intervention. In addition, industrial robots can also be used for conducting seismic surveys using 3D modeling and visualization that would help reduce the chances of causing a permanent impact on the existing geological structure. An example is an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) that come with a video camera, lights, and artificial arms.
Midstream: Processing, transporting and storing of excavated oil or gas supplies are vulnerable to spillage which can adversely impact the marine ecosystem. Machines and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist with midstream inspection and maintenance. They can also help with designing, setting up and efficient remote monitoring of resources. Instances of blockages, corrosion or leakages in steel structural fabrication can be identified and resolved using UAVs (uncrewed aerial vehicles) and UUVs (crewless underwater vehicles).
Downstream: The refining and distribution processes of oil and gas refer to offshore areas that are almost too difficult for humans to reach and survive. In these cases, robotics can contribute to material handling and automated refueling without any procedure lapses. Leveraging of AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles), the torpedo-shaped machines that are self-operating and can cover a depth of up to 6000 meters helps in improving integrity management, repair and maintenance of machines engaged in downstream operations.
Benefits of Robotics in Oil and Gas
The 3 major ways in which robotics can positively transform oil and gas are detailed as follows:
Eliminating Safety Hazards: Hard manual labor, described as roughnecking, is one of the most dangerous jobs across all industries. Some robots eliminate the need for human roughnecks, which minimizes deaths, injuries, and losses associated with hazardous labor. Roughnecking robots can install drill pipes (developed using pipe fabrication) in complex environments, such as oil-bearing rocks and even out in the ocean. These efficient robots make life much easier for oil rig workers who no longer have to put their lives at risk to supply consumers with oil.
Reducing Costs: Robots lower operational costs because there is less need to install safety measures. Robotic platforms eliminate the need to provide housing, food, heating, cooling and other features. One can save money by not paying for expensive safety gear and robots require no work breaks or benefits.
Increase in Productivity: Advanced robots carry out tasks more efficiently as compared to humans. Robots also decrease the amount of downtime during and between work tasks. Downtime can be extremely costly on oil and gas platforms and one must take measures to minimize the same. Drilling sites and oil rigs benefit in several ways when robots perform essential tasks.
Conclusion
Robotics, Machine Learning (ML) and AI bring many automation benefits to the essentially manual process-driven world of oil and gas operations. In spite of advancements in manual excavation techniques, oil and gas is a safer and more productive industry with the integration of robotics. Companies need to invest in technology and tailor their requirements for their respective procedures. A downside is the possibility of shrinkage in size of the manual workforce, however in the long run, this is expected to benefit the energy and utilities industry as a whole. The world of robots is here and now – and we should enjoy the ride!