Institution news
Q: Could you briefly explain your role, involvement and experience with regards to this seminar?
Simon Rees (SR): I have always been active in numerical modelling, whether CFD or FEA. However, what’s changed is the development of true digital twins, that replicate in real-time the condition and performance of major assets and can be paused, rewound, or projected forward to give a deep understanding of what has, or what will, happen. It’s this extension of numerical modelling into digital twinning that drives my involvement.</strong">
Q: In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing the industry when it comes to digital technologies?
SR: This is surprisingly difficult to answer, as there are still plenty of challenges to overcome. I think the two biggest are at opposite ends of the digital domain. Instrumentation that provides accurate, real-time condition data is incredibly important to the digital concept, but the upstream environment, and especially offshore, is not only harsh but difficult for wireless systems. At the other end of the process, trust in the accuracy of digital twins will be essential and I think the industry is going have to think hard about the sort of error estimation and tolerability that’s already the norm in sectors like aerospace.</span">
Q: What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?
SR: There are lots of interesting developments on the digital twin side of things that are of interest to a geek like me, but the biggest thing happening at the moment is the way in which modern instrumentation is being retrofitted to existing assets in great amounts, and being used for real-time condition monitoring onshore. To generate the trust we need in the modelling, we need this sort of data.
Q: Where do you see for the future of digital technologies heading over the next 5–10 years in oil and gas?
SR: The fusion between asset data and digital twins will evolve so there is continuous alignment between the two, and then the really exciting step will be when the digital twins can be used to predict operational events. Planned events like start-ups and shut-downs could be optimised by studying different options, but should there be an upset then the ability of a real-time, or accelerated time, digital twin to solve the problem will be invaluable.
Q: What are you most looking forward to by presenting at this seminar?
SR: As the Chair it has to be the panel session. At previous upstream design events run by the Institution we’ve had some excellent debates with considerable input from the floor, so I’m hoping we get that again.
Q: Which sessions are you most looking forward to hearing?
SR: Again, as the Chair, I can’t express an opinion! They all look very good, and it’s great to have such a strong programme.
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join this seminar?
SR: This is the future, pure and simple, and it’s probably coming faster than people think. Every engineer in the sector should learn about this.
Key programme highlights:
- Eni Norge share lessons learnt on the latest barrier monitoring technology for offshore production platforms
- OneSubsea introduce their monitoring methods and discuss its application for subsea oil and gas
- ABB highlight key areas to unlock production efficiency improvements
- Petrofac discuss their application of predictive analytics and compression to support uptime improvements
- DNV GL share case studies on improving major hazard awareness and real-time asset integrity management.
With insights from Eni Norge, Petrofac, ABB, OneSubsea, DNV GL and others, explore the latest digital technologies on offer to improve the integrity and performance of existing assets. Hear lessons learnt from the application of technologies and data analysis techniques to develop best practice in your organisation. Gain insight into the latest condition monitoring technologies to anticipate and avoid potential production problems and reduce costs.
To book your place, please visit the event site.