TAPPING INTO THE POTENTIAL OF DIGITALIZATION

 

For the oil and gas industry, the digital revolution has the potential to deliver major cost savings, but is also a source of disruption. Conscious of the potential impact on our own services, Bureau Veritas is working on an ambitious yet pragmatic strategy that focuses on the value add to our own operational efficiency and to our clients.

Bureau Veritas’ mission is to ensure that the design and operational conditions of clients’ marine and offshore assets meet acceptable safety levels. Thus far, this task has been accomplished by placing expert independent surveyors on board, which sometimes puts them at risk (e.g., when working in confined spaces). While their presence on board will remain necessary for many years to come, the development of new techniques, such as drones, ROVs and high-performance cameras, can help reduce risks.

Furthermore, due to the increased amount of data they collect, these technologies will allow for more precise assessments of a facility’s condition. If, for example, we compare a 3D laser scan of a corroded link in a mooring chain with a conventional caliper measurement, it’s clear that the laser technology drastically reduces uncertainties concerning the chain’s corrosion status, allowing for better forecast and failure prognostics.

To maximize the benefits of innovative monitoring and inspection techniques, it is essential that data captured is analyzed efficiently and presented in an intuitive manner. By integrating condition data into a virtual representation of the asset, we can create a digital twin that mirrors a facility’s operating life. By consolidating data collected from the physical asset, the twin provides unrivaled visibility over the asset’s condition and facilitates timely decision-making.

With these objectives in mind, Bureau Veritas is continuously improving our Veristar AIM^3D solution for integrity management, developed in partnership with Dassault Systems. Veristar AIM^3D has already been implemented for several floating facilities to help clients manage hull structure integrity. We are also working with operators on the possibility of implementing the solution for marine systems and equipment, as well as topsides while interfacing with legacy information systems.

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