Robotics, AI, IoT to Transform Oil and Gas Sector: GlobalData

The oil and gas industry is significantly increasing the use of robotic technology in its operations, according to a study by GlobalData. This approach is improving safety, optimizing production processes, and reducing operating costs in a competitive and challenging environment.

"Robots are proving invaluable in executing complex tasks in production facilities, protecting workers from hazardous environments, and reducing the likelihood of costly shutdowns," says Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst, GlobalData, to DPL News.

The energy sector faces operational challenges such as the need to perform repetitive tasks in extreme environments and managing remote platforms. The adoption of robotics addresses these challenges by automating complex and dangerous procedures, minimizing human risk and improving operational efficiency.

The integration of advanced technologies such as AI, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing allows the use cases of robots to be diversified, says GlobalData's Robotics in Oil and Gas report. This can be observed in offshore platforms such as Equinor's Oseberg H in the North Sea, which are employing autonomous robots for remote operations, optimizing resources and reducing risks.

Report Details

According to the report, the adoption of robotics is driven by several factors, including:

• Macroeconomic trends: The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the relocation of operations have increased demand for automated solutions.

• Regulatory trends: Drone regulations and robotics ethics influence the implementation of these technologies.

• Industry trends: Digitalization, robotics as a service (RaaS), and autonomous robots are redefining operations.

"Technological advances have equipped robots to effectively replace field personnel on oil rigs. In addition, there is an increase in collaboration between oil and gas companies and technology providers, enabling diversification of robotic use cases with the integration of AI, IoT, Cloud and Edge Computing," says Puranik to DPL News.

Collaboration between energy companies and technology providers will continue to diversify the uses of robotics, positioning it as a strategic tool to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector in the coming years, reads the report.

One example of the benefits that collaboration can bring to this trend is the growing adoption of RaaS models, which facilitate access to robotic systems through leasing schemes and cloud services, eliminating the need for large upfront investments. This approach allows companies to focus on their core operations without taking on the risks of equipment ownership.