HOW DIGITAL INSPECTIONS TRANSFORM THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY?
The traditional paper-based system of performing inspections brings the oil and gas industry in front of many limitations and risks. This article frames how digital inspections reshape the industry.
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Inattentiveness is causing human errors that might cost the industry millions or worse can lead to fatal consequences.
Environmental and health damages are of significant concern for the OGP industry, and business leaders are looking for innovative solutions to prevent such outcomes.
Safety and performance are essential elements when running regular inspections of areas and equipment across hazardous industrial plants or terminals.
The business leaders' priorities are to ensure the safety and performance of the terminal and the workers to correctly perform the inspections required by regulatory guidelines and by the governmental institutions.
THE RISKS OF PAPER-BASED INSPECTIONS IN OGP
Human error is inevitable when conducting paper-based inspections, mainly due to limitations or harsh working conditions. The costs of performing an incomplete or incorrect inspection are huge.
When an inspection is incorrect or incomplete, the operator has to travel back to the plant or terminal. That implies another round of budget allocation, assured transportation, and valuable time.
As long as the operators do not have instant access to the checks that have been carried out before, and can't overview what important matters emerged from those checks, the communication between them and the other departments will be slow and difficult.
While still conducting paper-based inspections, operators are having a difficult time supporting information with objective data. The oil and gas industry needs efficient and accurate processes to help the industry save time and money and increase uptime.
DIGITAL INSPECTIONS TRANSFORM THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
Using a digital solution to perform correct and easy inspections can be a game-changer for the oil and gas industry professionals.
The oil and gas industry is ready to start developing a preventive mindset now that technology is a major enabler. The key element is to ensure critical information is captured, held in the right place and format, and is linked to the correct equipment. Using standardized templates for preventive activities will save time, money, and help you avoid lots of frustration.
HOW DIGITAL INSPECTIONS TRANSFORM THE OGP INDUSTRY?
With the advanced technological capabilities currently available, such as AI recognition, voice control, digital forms, and reports built with a simple drag and drop editor, real-time data analysis, scheduling, and monitoring jobs are now more efficient. There are numerous positive outcomes once organizations begin their digital transformation. Below you find four of these primary outcomes.
Uptime
When conducting digital inspections, an operator can easily capture historical data to track, monitor, collect, and report key data, alarms, and events. Being able to do this in real-time will lead to better briefed operational and business decisions.
The operators save a considerable amount of time if they can see issues and rationalize alarms, all in one place. For increased uptime, processes have to run smoothly and without interruption.
Performing preventive maintenance ensures the uptime of the entire terminal. Direct communication through our solution allows operators to focus on their tasks, avoiding back and forth communication that slows down the delivery.
SHEQ
Digital inspections replace tedious and costly manual processes, so they become more efficient. In today's complex industrial facilities, the ogp industry needs digitization to leverage data in disconnected documents, optimize safety-instrumented systems, and manage corporate risk. Smartflow enables a real-time view of safety system performance while using stored data to validate processes and identify issues.
Productivity
An operator who uses digital technology can perform twice as many digital inspections than following a paper-based process. Once the data is collected in one place, operators are empowered to take immediate actions based on the findings, which saves time, increases efficiency, and transforms the terminal's productivity.
Smartflow allows the operators to finish the job on their first visit to the terminal faster and consequently more effectively, leaving time for other responsibilities. With a simple click, operators can access or transfer time to anyone within the organization. There is no room for errors since users get a notification alert if something is incorrect or missing.
Moreover, organizations can track the completion time of the inspection, which will immediately improve workflow management.
Compliance
Safety and compliance are essential when running regular inspections of areas and equipment across hazardous industrial plants or terminals. The ogp companies have the responsibility to ensure the safety and the performance of the terminal as well as of the workers. This way they can correctly perform the inspections required by regulatory guidelines and by the governmental institutions with little or no negative impact on the environment.
With the digitization of operator rounds, businesses accelerate the execution and the compliance of inspections, permits, and work orders, while maintaining the highest security and quality standards, at the same time reducing operations risks, and collecting real-time insight from the generated data.
Final Thoughts
We understand the magnitude of the industry's risks by conducting operator rounds and inspections in the traditional, highly-time consuming way. Our clients have chosen a mobile solution and support system like Smartflow because of the high necessity to revamp workflows, data collection, task management, maintenance management, production tracking, and compliance.
Our mobile solution helps the industry thrive even in the most uncertain times. Smartflow endorses the OGP industry to increase efficiency and logistics, ensure safety, and storage data correctly. We cover all the pillars that make a digital terminal.
Request an assessment of your current processes and learn how you can leap into your digital transformation.
TESTIMONIALS
What is holding your organization back? What is the element that is still missing from deciding to implement a connected worker solution?
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Leo Brand
CIO at VopakWith the rollout of the Smartflow platform at our terminals, we will be able to speed up, building our digital infrastructure to transform our frontline operations. Our people at the terminal will be able to work much more efficiently, and they will be supported in standardizing processes like ISGOTT and digital operator rounds. -
Thomas Visser
Management Trainee Vopak EuropoortUsage of the Smartflow environment makes it much easier to standardize workflows and to reduce administrative time and errors. For example, when a tanker is discharging her cargo, only questions relevant for discharging activities are provided.
Furthermore standard information and remarks that are applicable for Vopak Terminal Europoort such as emergency procedures, can be pre-filled thus reducing the amount of questions that need to be performed.
Having all data in one digital environment makes it possible for each stakeholder to have easy access to all relevant and up-to-date ISGOTT documents. Zero paper waste as operators perform the process using a PC and ATEX certified tablet. -
Mark van der Wolf
Director Service & Projects at MOBASmartflow offers MOBA many advantages in terms of efficiency and lead time reduction of the service order process. By implementing the user-friendly Smartflow, we expect a significant reduction in the manual administrative work of both the service engineers and the back office. -
Mario Rovers
Manager AMTeK at AbomaThe Smartflow app helps inspectors collect and interpret data. We can easily analyze data and prepare for future events or to predict failure. Data can be analyzed immediately consequently improving the quality of inspections.