Edge computing: The latest innovation in the oil and gas industry

Applications in the oil and gas industry

The oil and gas industry operates in some of the world’s most challenging environments, from offshore drilling platforms to remote desert oilfields. In such settings, edge computing offers several critical applications and benefits, including real-time monitoring and analytics, data reduction and bandwidth, security, autonomous operations, environmental monitoring, as well as asset tracking and management.

Aron Brand, CTO of CTERA tells EdgeIR: “The oil and gas industry faces significant challenges in remote and harsh environments like offshore rigs, where reliable connectivity and efficient data management are critical. These remote facilities often have to deal with intermittent or limited connectivity, making it difficult to collaborate and share massive files like seismic data, well logs, and 3D CAD models, which are common in the industry.

“Edge computing, as a distributed computing paradigm, emerges as a solution to these challenges. It brings data processing and storage capabilities closer to the source of data generation, reducing the need for continuous connectivity to a central data center.”

Edge computing enables the continuous monitoring of equipment, pipelines, and processes in real-time. It also filters and processes data locally, sending only the most critical information to the cloud. This reduces bandwidth usage and lowers operational costs.

Additionally, the oil and gas industry is highly sensitive to cybersecurity threats. Edge computing helps mitigate these risks by keeping critical data within the company’s network, reducing exposure to external threats associated with cloud-based data storage and processing.

“An edge-to-core file storage architecture leverages the benefits of edge computing in a way that’s ideal for remote oil and gas facilities: It involves local caches at remote sites that continuously synchronize data with a central data repository, enabling local data processing and caching while minimizing dependence on the central data center,” Brand adds.

“Simultaneously, this distributed architecture facilitates data protection and collaboration across globally dispersed locations by ensuring data synchronization and accessibility, even in areas with intermittent or limited connectivity. This allows efficient collaboration and dissemination of the massive files common in the oil and gas industry.”

Industry examples

Several oil and gas companies have already implemented edge computing solutions to great effect. For instance, Chevron deployed edge computing on its offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico to monitor equipment health and reduce maintenance costs.

Additionally, Shell utilizes edge computing for predictive maintenance on its pipelines. By analyzing data from sensors placed along the pipeline route, they can identify potential leaks or structural issues before they become critical, minimizing environmental risks and operational disruptions.

On the other end of the spectrum, edge companies are playing a significant role in the oil and gas industry by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing technologies to enhance various aspects of operations.

AI EdgeLabs notes that its core mission is to equip the oil and gas sector to navigate the intricate landscape of edge environments with the assurance of AI-powered multi-layered security, undisrupted operational continuity, and unwavering compliance adherence.

HPE offers edge computing solutions designed specifically for the oil and gas industry. Their platforms enable real-time analytics and decision-making at the edge of the network, improving operational efficiency and safety.

Stratus Technologies specializes in providing edge computing platforms for mission-critical applications in industries such as oil and gas. Their solutions aim to ensure high availability and reliability of edge infrastructure for continuous operations.

Challenges and future outlook

While edge computing offers substantial advantages, its implementation in the oil and gas industry is not without challenges. Furthermore, interoperability among different edge devices and systems can be a complex issue that requires careful planning.

That said, the integration of edge computing with other transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) holds immense potential. AI algorithms running at the edge can make more complex and adaptive decisions, while IoT devices can provide even richer data streams for analysis. This convergence may further enhance operational efficiency and safety.

Article Topics

AI EdgeLabs  |  CTERA  |  edge computing  |  IoT  |  oil and gas  |  Stratus Technologies