Technology Simplified: Leveraging Data in the New Digital Era
Excited by tomorrow, we face a new world filled with endless possibilities each day. Thanks to modern technology, simple sensors open the doors to our favorite restaurant, edge computing allows manufacturers to spot and correct production glitches before they happen, and high-tech traffic cameras analyze and record thousands of license plates daily to spot stolen and unregistered vehicles while also identifying suspected criminals. It’s no secret that the world is evolving before our eyes, and through the technological advancements of this digital era, we are creating a more efficient world. The power of data Data is a powerful tool of knowledge, and lucky for us, it’s everywhere! Every one of our actions is driven by a manual process of data – like the simple act of putting on a jacket when it gets cold, or an automated process of data – like a valve instinctively shutting off when a water tank gets full. Today we have the technology to effectively process, analyze and distribute data metrics in tremendously impactful ways. What does greater simplification look like for industrial leaders? Remote operations simplified When leveraged effectively, industrial internet of things (IIoT) solutions take remote operations to the next level, simplifying the work process for teams and industries across the globe. Think about some of the most popular high-value remote assets today, like drones, video surveillance, or even center pivot irrigation systems – these entities perform so well because they do what humans can’t. In mere seconds, IIoT technology can process, distribute and respond to data that would otherwise take an entire team hours, days or even weeks to achieve. In the not so distant past, industrial operations relied solely on data consumption (i.e., how much water is in the tank; what temperature is the water), but today, advancements give us the ability to respond nearly instantaneously to that collected data with actionable execution. Today we can view and control the management of an entire operation remotely on our cell phone. We can see how much water is in a tank or what temperature that water is at and automatically change and adjust the water levels and temperatures from near or far. As a result, the amount of time, resources and energy needed to run businesses has transformed entirely, and this evolution allows us to create an enhanced world and standard of work. Simple deployment Remote operations are oftentimes in rugged terrain, making them difficult or even impossible to access. At FreeWave, we solve this complex issue by providing pre-configured ready-to-deploy solutions, complete with everything needed to achieve the mission at hand. For example, through FreeWaves’s joint venture with ModuSense, we’re simplifying connectivity to cloud with a variety of pre-configured and ready to deploy monitoring and sensing solutions by supplying the entire solution with a 12-month data plan, dashboard, 12W rapid recharge solar panel, satellite connectivity and Bluetooth connectivity. You can use your mobile phone to validate the data directly from the gateway without having to wait for satellite transmission. We all know the “gotchas” when it comes to buying technology. Simple deployment means you’re ready from day one, without needing to buy additional components. Real-world impact As Chief Operating Officer and SVP of Global Sales and Marketing at FreeWave, I get a front-row seat to the real-life impact modern-day technology is having on lives, businesses and entire industries. The essentials of life have become simplified, and in the process, more people and businesses receive greater access to the things that matter most like critical information, metrics and potential outcomes. Creating a more sustainable world and preserving natural resources like food, air, energy and water have been at the forefront of IIoT since FreeWave began almost three decades ago when we brought long range, low power consumption, C1D2, 900 MHz connectivity and radio technology products to our customers. Since then, our connectivity options have greatly expanded by adding EDGE Compute, Software, Industry Protocol Conversions, Data Broker & Cloud, a complete end to end solution and with it comes the responsibility for greater environmental stewardship. We’ve all seen the devastating impact an environmental catastrophe, like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, can have on the globe. Simple mistakes can and do cause enormous repercussions that affect us all. The truth is, with human interaction there will always be the cost of time and possible room for error. Technology, however, is different, as it allows us to not rely solely on human capacity and depend more on interconnected and advanced systems. Now, we don’t have to wait for someone to run into a situation or crisis and manually pull a lever or travel to turn off a valve. Instead, preprogrammed automation or a simple click of a button or flip of a switch from virtually anywhere in the world can control your high value remote assets. FreeWave is a technological pioneer in the 21st century. We have connected the unconnected with a reliable ecosystem of edge intelligent radios and solutions to optimize the extreme edge of remote industrial operations. Through our single IIoT platform, we provide expanded capabilities for data capture, analysis, control and automation. Our single pane of glass approach provides a simple, single vendor, one-stop-shop solution for remote operations worldwide. At the end of the day, when we take the power of data monitoring and funnel it through modern technology, we open ourselves up to a new world of endless possibilities and opportunities. It’s one thing to have data; it’s an entirely different thing to know how to leverage that data. At FreeWave, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of data monitoring and modern technology through our IIoT solutions and creating a better, safer and faster world of work for industries around the globe.
Data Connects Life: A Deeper Look at the Power of Connection for IoT Champions
Every day, the world shifts in a new digital direction, making our lives simpler and equally more complicated all at the same time. I can vividly remember the introduction of email. I had just started my career in tech, and I kid you not, my coworkers and I questioned the efficiency of this new digital communication system. Back then, taking the time to craft an email, when I could easily make a phone call or walk to the office next door, felt foreign and unproductive, but now, decades later, I can’t imagine my life or work without the power and ease of email communication. If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s change, and when we meet change with adaptability and curiosity, we can create and sustain a more connected world, one where technology invites us to innovate, collaborate and engage with each other and the environments we live in! More technology. More data. The Mckinsey Global Survey has found that our global response to the pandemic has accelerated the rate of technology by several years. What does that mean for real people? Over time, we have discovered a new world filled to the brim with data that both informs and transforms our day-to-day lives. From smartphones to traffic management systems, the Internet of Things (IoT ) is revolutionizing life as we know it, connecting us to more people, places and systems than ever before. Connection is a powerful tool, and when harnessed effectively, it can change the world. The interdependent relationship between our natural and digital world is quite profound; in today’s society, we operate as one. In smart agriculture, for example, effective data can make a significant difference in overall crop and herd health, which, in the end, affects us all. Whether we’re on the farm, on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean or in our own backyards, technology connects us. Data is everywhere, and when this data is measured and distributed carefully, it transforms entire industries. Accessing the data you need on your terms For the last 28 years, FreeWave Technologies has pioneered a unique IoT revolution, reinventing the way industrial IoT is used in the modern market. We connect the unconnected with a reliable ecosystem of edge intelligent radios and solutions to optimize the extreme edge of remote industrial operations. Through our software, we provide IoT champions with real-time data insights to create better and more sustainable businesses. To achieve transformative operational optimization, industrial leaders need visibility into data and the ability to proactively manipulate that data and act on the insights gained from it. Our vision is to build an ecosystem of edge intelligent radios and solutions to transform the extreme edge of industrial operations into a connected part of their enterprise. Our integrated edge connectivity and computing solutions provide expanded capabilities for high-fidelity data capture, analysis, control and automation via a single industrial IoT platform that is readily scaled as each edge computing need evolves. We call it a single pane of glass. With a legacy of solving thousands of customer changes across multiple industries and deployment in 39 countries, the goal is to continue to future-proof operations so that remote work becomes more autonomous and, dare I say, simpler. It all brings us more connected with our collective purpose to create a better and more sustainable world. Data connects life. The more we see, the more we understand, and the more we understand, the more equipped we become to make better decisions. As the Director of Marketing at FreeWave, I am closely connected to the people and operations most impacted by our work. I know firsthand how powerful connection is for the IoT champions we serve, and every day I witness the power of data to transform the world. Putting it in perspective Take the water and wastewater industry, for example; in this industry, clear and controllable data insights are key to achieving effective operational management. At FreeWave, we provide these actionable data insights such as moisture levels and weather predictions through our sensor and weather monitoring technology, which ultimately allow water and wastewater industry leaders to be proactive in their business rather than reactive. A proactive and informed approach to operational management makes the difference in creating a more sustainable environment, and a more sustainable environment transforms our communities and the surrounding world. FreeWave’s productivity technology is removing barriers to data and helping industry leaders solve unique challenges like never before. Where some people may only see tech software – a little box with some wires, chips, and sensors – a much deeper reality occurs. We are all connected, and today, IoT champions get to leverage the power of this connection, along with technology and data, to create a better world, one industry at a time. I am so proud to work for a company that is connecting the world in unique and innovative ways. Every day, I see the impact of technology and what it means to be more connected through data, giving us critical insight. What we do with that data is where the magic happens. This is where we can use connectivity to push boundaries for greater innovation, make best use of our people, create safer work environments by understanding what’s happening in hard-to-reach terrain, and even take bold action to architect a more sustainable world.
Automation in Oil and Gas: A Starter’s Guide
From drilling to logistics to preventing theft, automation in oil and gas is quickly becoming the standard. Learn how tech helps increase ROI and improves safety in this starter guide. Since the 1990s, businesses have looked at how automation in oil and gas can improve worker safety, improve efficiency, and increase the bottom line. Today, digital tools are being used in every facet of oil and gas cultivation. From improved efficiency when drilling for new oil to real-time weather monitoring and theft prevention, tech tools are quickly becoming the norm for the $2.1 trillion (according to IBISWorld) industry. In this starter guide, you’ll learn how innovation and automation in oil and gas is being used to connect, collect and analyze data, and increase ROI. What Is Automation In Oil and Gas? Oil and gas automation refers to the growing number of digital techniques and processes used to help producers cultivate energy. Automation and agility have found their way into nearly all oil and gas industry divisions, like drilling, logistics, supply chain, and safety. Tools such as rugged wireless radios and AI-powered real-time sensors for remote monitoring allow drilling sites to be run safely and efficiently from afar—protecting employees and increasing revenue simultaneously. Benefits Improved production yield while lowering costs Improved safety for employees in hazardous conditions Real-time insights 24/7 monitoring Theft protection at drill sites and along pipelines Sustainability Predictive technologies can be used for future application Where Does Automation In Oil and Gas Happen? Approximately 94 billion barrels of oil are produced every day worldwide, according to U.S. Energy Information. Here are some specific examples of how automation impacts the production and monitoring of two of the world’s most important resources. Drilling Autonomous drilling control systems (ADCs), such as those implemented in the North Sea (between England and Scotland) in 2020, enable safe and efficient oil drilling. In the past, “automatic” tools used to drill for oil were just manually assisted. Today, though, ADCs are believed to reduce drilling costs by as much as 50 percent. Diagnostics In an industry where downtime can severely disrupt a business and lead to financial downfall, remote diagnostics help predict future issues or pinpoint current ones to prevent delays and disruptions. For example, tools that measure pressure loss, temperature, and mercury levels can help businesses disrupt downtime and minimize costly delays. They also reduce the risk of oil rig disasters, such as the infamous Gulf of Mexico explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that left 41 miles of oil in the ocean. Weather Monitoring Oil and gas production are both contingent on weather patterns. Issues that can affect (or even shut down) drilling sites include: Tropical cyclones (most common) Extreme cold Extreme heat Earthquakes Automation in gas and oil includes the adoption of real-time sensors and monitoring tools, which detect changes in seismic activities and atmospheric levels, giving companies the ability to adjust in real-time to changing weather patterns. Security Theft in oil and gas is a real threat. In fact, a 2021 report said that Nigeria loses an average of 200,000 oil barrels per day (b/d) to theft, primarily from pipeline sabotage. Rugged, wireless radios allow oil and gas professionals to communicate safely without fear of interception or lost connection. Along with real-time monitoring of sites and pipelines, this can create a formidable defense against criminals. Trends in Oil and Gas Automation Oil and gas automation is quickly becoming standard, and with it, innovation in the field is coming. A significant push towards sustainability. Tech tools that help reduce a business’s carbon footprint and improve operating efficiency will be both sought after (and possibly required) in the coming years. Greater use of AI at oil rigs. Businesses are shifting away from manually assisted technologies in favor of artificial intelligence devices that make real-time, autonomous decisions on-site. More tech jobs. As on-site employees are phased out to make for a safer work environment, new jobs, such as coding, system architecture, and cybersecurity, will be created in the oil and gas industry. Contact FreeWave to learn how our technologies can boost your oil and gas business’s ROI today.
9 Critical Reasons to add Wireless Thief Hatch Management
A thief hatch is a closeable lid at the top of a low-pressure holding tank for hydrocarbons such as oil or condensate, or water. It allows access for measurement, however, if left open it can allow hydrocarbon vapors to escape into the atmosphere as fugitive emissions. Hydrocarbon tanks are almost always Class 1 Div 1 hazardous locations. If your thief hatch pops open from overpressure conditions, or if an operator accidentally leaves it open, you could be in violation of strict air pollution compliance rules on fugitive emissions. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Regulation 7, Section XII, “Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Oil and Gas Operations”, requires facilities to control venting of natural gas from many oil and gas emission sources. The CDPHE has determined that improperly secured thief hatches, visible emissions from a flare, and audible emissions from a thief hatch or pressure relief device (PRV) are violations of Regulation No. 7. Many of the 23 oil producing states (including Ohio, Utah, Wyoming) are looking at the CDPHE rulebook as a possible blueprint for their state rules. The minimum fine by CDPHE for an open thief hatch, visible emissions from a flare or audible emissions from a thief hatch or PRV is $15,000/day. The duration of each fugitive emission violation is assumed to be at least one day unless evidence gathered by the CDPHE and/or provided by the source proves otherwise. The USEPA’s new regulations affecting methane (CH4) and VOC emissions from the oil and gas sector became effective August 3, 2016. Updates to NSPS OOOO list storage thief hatches as one of the fugitive emission leak components that will be periodically checked for leaks using optical gas imaging (OGI). Thief hatches are usually easy to see and make easy pickings for regulatory compliance inspectors. Inspectors will often check thief hatches first, and use them as indicators of other violations for a site. Open thief hatch detection is a powerful tool to minimize fugitive emissions. Most solutions on the market to detect an open thief hatch are wired and expensive to install and integrate into an existing SCADA system. FreeWave delivers an inexpensive and easy to deploy Class 1 Div 1 wireless solution for Thief Hatch Monitoring with the WC30i-AXIS Angle Sensor. FreeWave’s new WC30i-AXIS Wireless Angle Sensor is a solid-state inclinometer that measures the opening angle of a Thief Hatch and reports as closed, cracked or open. It links wirelessly to the WC45i Gateway, which communicates to the PLC or SCADA system with Modbus communication protocol. Together with the WC45i Gateway, the WAVECONTACT system is easily and quickly deployed to implement industrial automation where wired installations are cost prohibitive. The WAVECONTACT System has been designed for deployment in Class 1 Div 1 locations. Contact Sales to Learn More
Injecting Agility and Automation at the Well Pad
Small-to-medium-sized oil and gas companies understand what it takes to be agile. They must survive and thrive in an industry led by giant producers. While no recipe to success is the same, the smaller players need to maximize production while simultaneously keeping costs down if they want to compete in the market. By adopting technology solutions that will make them agile and effective, these organizations can secure fast and significant ROI, while meeting production and operations demands. However, technology selection in a constantly changing landscape is murky at best. Take an operations manager at a small oil and gas company, for example. They are likely tasked with ensuring that operations are running smoothly at the wellhead while delivering critical data back to the business office in real time. It seems simple enough, but the operator is probably facing constant pressure to provide insights into their production sites and new solutions for operational efficiencies. At the same time, the IT team wants monitoring at the well pad 24/7/365, and they want to access that data whenever they please from anywhere. Perhaps, they have attempted to tack on several different technology solutions to help provide said data – but the new demands require a more sophisticated approach. The pressure is on to find a way to optimize data collection, monitoring and control of the assets in the field (including the communications network) or the company won’t be able to compete with the “always on” oil and gas producers. The good news is that there is hope. There are programmable wireless communication solutions for the well pad that are available today. With a little research, it is possible to find a rugged, easy to use solution that will deliver massive ROI. What Does Well Pad Automation Look Like? In modern oil and gas operations, well pad automation builds analytics and intelligence into the wellhead environment. This takes a step beyond traditional communications because it enables intelligent applications and programmability that establish an advanced operating environment. Automation can also present the opportunity for predictive analytics, remote command and control, new protocol translations, and modern cloud-based services at the wellhead. Automation helps an operator streamline their job and provides the IT decision makers with data that helps them understand daily operations. Automation technology makes this possible by powering data transmission, improving data quality and enabling intelligent data analysis. The oil and gas company then has the power to make informed decisions that drive higher production outputs, with ROI often achieved in a matter of months, along with substantially lower CAPEX. Bringing an Automated Monitoring System All Under One Roof The financial and business benefits of industrial automation are clear, however selecting technology solutions can be challenging. Operations managers need a wireless communication solution that can support next generation of well pad automation needs. The solution must include a combination of data monitoring, logic execution and data visualization. This is especially beneficial at the well pad sites that are remote and isolated. The big advantage today is that these decision makers are no longer limited to disparate technology solutions: Wi-Fi Automated Monitoring Systems establish Wi-Fi at the wellhead to enable voice, video, sensor data access and perimeter security. They can also leverage Wi-Fi for rapid maintenance across the wellhead, saving maintenance staff hours of time. Instead of driving to the remote wellhead, they are now troubleshooting issues from a truck or office. Wi-Fi also supports the collection of information from RFID devices and wearable devices designed to protect workers in the field. FHSS When the Wi-Fi is bridged with a Radio Frequency (RF) solution, particularly Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology, the data can then be collected from tank farms, PLCs, and sensors on the well and within the well. The wireless intelligence that is located on the devices in the sensor network, enables local execution on the RF devices, which supports data storage or data collection and analysis. Through cloud-based services, the data can be published globally, allowing mobile access from virtually anywhere. Additionally, an automated monitoring system may enable wireless telemetry in hazardous environments through modular wireless I/O solutions that leverage sensors to monitor specific points along the wellhead. Programmability With built in programmability on top of Wi-Fi and RF technology, the automated monitoring system is not only optimizes today’s operations, but it prepares the organization for the future as industries shift towards digital technology and total connectivity. For example, an engineer can write a simple application using open source technologies like Node-RED and Python that will display a dashboard of real-time data from the well pad as it collects information from sensors. The organization could also automate tank-level monitoring by developing or leveraging a third-party application to monitor water levels in the remote tanks from the cloud – which would then be accessible anywhere with a wireless internet connection. Benefits that Stretch Beyond ROI Automation at the well pad not only leads to ROI through wireless automated monitoring and control, but it has the power to transform operations and streamline production. When a small-to-medium-sized oil and gas producer leverages automation, they can make highly intelligent decisions through the technology features that enable enhanced monitoring, logic execution and visualization. They can also leverage these solutions to create a more secure operating environment and communications network. These solutions note only benefit the operators today, but they prepare them for future technology needs.
Programming for Cloud-to-Device Communications in Industrial IoT
Should you leave processing in the cloud or on the edge? Both. Particularly in IIoT, developers need to start thinking about both tracks. There is a power struggle going on in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Many think cloud applications are the future of real-time data processing in IIoT settings; others believe data should be processed and decisions executed at the edge of the network. In truth, the answer lies somewhere in the middle: Data needs to be processed both via the cloud and at the edge, which presents an interesting opportunity for software developers in the IIoT space. Clearly, being able to operate industrially hardened smart devices remotely – and in many cases automatically – from the cloud presents many benefits. But the challenge lies in potential connectivity issues when developing applications. Developers must think along a dual track, which means that they must think about how an app developed for the cloud can be mirrored to run on the edge device itself. Several factors converge here to create a unique atmosphere for developers: connectivity, security, and today, the programmability of edge devices. Traditionally, the devices themselves simply acted as conduits for data collection and transport, but today, hardware manufacturers are creating devices that can host third-party applications. A point worth noting is the advent of Node-RED, which can streamline some of the programmability challenges. So, understanding the need for mirrored applications, let’s look at a few use-cases that highlight exactly why this redundancy is necessary. Cloud-to-Device in the Oilfield In the case of oil fields, when the edge app sees an oil pump showing a temperature reading above a predetermined safety level, the applications on the device can decide to shut the pump down, or the cloud application can send a command to do so. In cases where there are emergencies, different sites might have a different set of actions that need to be initiated. In fact, most sites have thermal sensors on the oil pads. If the oil pads exceed a certain threshold, then these cloud programs know there is an explosion and a fire happening onsite. To prevent a chain reaction, the cloud will send a command to shut down all the pumps and all the valves in that area so they don’t create a chain reaction and keep spreading. Extending the oil site example, if there is an intentional attack on the site, the first thing you do is disconnect the communication lines back to the cloud to protect the network. In that scenario, having the same application running on the cloud and the edge devices still allows the same decision to be made in the local network by the device itself. If the device cannot ‘see’ the cloud, it can still respond and execute tasks. If the cloud program is not responding, and the device notices the pad temperature goes beyond the threshold, it can initiate a local shutdown protocol. Once the network is back online, the device can send this information back to the cloud which can, in turn, be given to site operators remotely. Because of these necessary duplications, programming for these settings can be difficult. For example, in Oracle applications, in SCADA networks, all of the applications run on Java. Oracle pages run on Java. Therefore, most programmable industrial devices must demonstrate that they can run the same Java application locally. Many IIoT platform providers have now expanded the scope of the programming. They’ve built devices that can actually drag and drop the same Java code from the cloud into individual edge units, to run that device. Of course, it has to be developed for a device and for the cloud, so it requires some extra attention, mainly because on the device, the decision-making is slightly different. It does not execute the application unless it cannot speak to the cloud. When it cannot speak to the cloud, then it executes the command just the way the cloud would. Redundancy Applications in UAS In other industrial settings – unmanned systems, for instance – the protocols are different. If a drone can’t communicate with the operator, it could have a simple command that says, “Trace back all your GPS location and fly them in a reverse mode and go back to where you came from, until you can establish communication and get new commands.” So, it’s the same concept. Programmable IIoT platforms are now being set up and designed so that they can run applications in multiple different languages. If the application is written in C, Java, Python – basically, anything that can be read on the cloud – it can be dragged and dropped into those edge units, and it could execute the same protocols directly on the edge device. This simple concept is transforming the way the IIoT thinks about data transport and real-time decision-making. If you write your code once you can drop it in both places, and if the device loses communication, it knows what to do. Of course, there are many other considerations when thinking about programming applications for the edge and the Industrial IoT. Security remains paramount, and we see examples every day pointing to a potential meltdown if security isn’t addressed properly. Still, the potential for the cloud-to-device communication and application execution remains great. For developers, being able to think across platforms, languages and program functions are three key points to consider when creating applications for the Industrial IoT. This article originally appeared on DZone.com
IIoT Top News: Oil and Gas Early Adopters
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is not just a means for organizations to harvest and analyze vast amounts of data to drive better business decisions. It is driving innovative ways for companies to keep their employees safe and out of harm’s way. In the latest IIoT Top News, we’ll take a look at some trending stories from the oil and gas industry, a quickly growing user of the Industrial Internet of Things to help power data-driven decisions, business operation optimization, and employee safety. The possibility of an industrial wireless oilfield is now not just a pipe dream, but a reality. Wearable Technology and the IoT Improving Safety for Oil and Gas Workers For many folks, wearable technology is viewed as a simple fad of smart watches and health tracking hardware. In the grand scheme of things, we’re just beginning to scratch the surface of wearable tech, with biotechnology, embedded smart tracking hardware, and much more right on the horizon. As noted in this article from the EconoTimes, one of the industries beginning to leverage the power of wearable technology is oil and gas. Looking back at 2014, occupational fatalities nationally were 3 per 100,000 workers. In oil and gas, that number skyrockets to 15. That’s why some organizations in this hazardous industry are turning towards the IIoT and wearable tech to keep their employees safe. From fall risk mitigation, to toxin and fume inhalation prevention and diagnosis, the applications for wearable technology for oil and gas employees in the field are many. One of the current limitations for wearable tech in the field is the ruggedness of the technology, but as new devices are designed that can withstand harsh environments, you can expect to see more adoption of this potentially life-saving tech. The IIoT and Operationalizing Excellence For the oil and gas industry, the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (sometimes referred to as Industry 4.0) holds massive promise. From reacting to changing global trade conditions in real-time, to instantaneous equipment feedback, there are myriad uses for connected tech. This recent article from IoT Business News cautions us to heed the warnings of the dot.com era and take a strategic approach. The article argues that expecting the IIoT to be a silver bullet for business decisions will only lead to more confusion. It notes that Industry 4.0 is an incredibly powerful tool, one with the ability to fundamentally change the way oil and gas organizations do business, but it is important to go “back to the basics” and understand business needs and objectives before trying to dive into the data. In the Oil Industry, IoT is Booming Oil and gas is not always known for its agility, but when it comes to the Internet of Things, the industry is moving at a decidedly rapid pace. This article from Offshore Engineer asserts that the IoT is not only increasingly becoming part of many organization’s strategies, but is fundamentally becoming embedded in the “oil psyche.” Dave Mackinnon, head of Technology Innovation at Total E&P UK, provides quite a bit of color around this assertion, and he believes that oil and gas is moving towards a “digital supply chain” that was fundamentally revolutionize the sector. Mackinnon also believes that when it comes to the IoT train, it’s either get on, or get left behind. “In an IoT world, many companies will discover that being just a manufacturing company or just an Internet company will no longer be sufficient; they will need to become both – or become subsumed in an ecosystem in which they play a smaller role,” Mackinnon said. Cyberattack Concerns Loom for Oil and Gas While the highest profile cyberattacks have been in the commerce and financial sectors, industrial targets remain at high risk. A recent article from Hydrocarbon Engineering notes that “because of its complex layers of supply chains, processes and industrial controls, makes [the oil and gas industry] a high value target for hackers.” As oil and gas organizations look to leverage the Internet of Things to bring increased value to their companies, it will become more and more important to build extra layers of security into their systems. Enabling the Connected Worker While the IIoT is indeed changing the way oil and gas companies make decisions, it is also changing the way employees perform their jobs. This article from Gas Today notes some of the ways the IoT is changing the roles of workers in the field. From AI planning and scheduling, to predictive maintenance on equipment, the connected worker faces a vastly different workplace landscape than even a few years in the past. Ultimately, oil and gas companies will look to leverage the IoT to help their employees make better decisions, as well as to stay safer and work more efficiently. Final Thoughts The Industrial Internet of Things is growing with rapid adoption across many verticals, but oil and gas is already reaping outstanding benefits from this next phase of industry. Lowering costs, optimizing oil production, and increasing worker safety are just a few of the ways oil and gas is leveraging this technological revolution.
Manufacturing Change through Big Data, Predictive Maintenance & Remote Access
Although the manufacturing industry has seen some troubling times over the past few decades, new technologies are helping it make a resurgence. So what has manufactured this change, you might ask? The rise of automation and robotics across many sectors, and perhaps one of the most significant industrial impacts since the assembly line was created – the Internet of Things. IoT has given rise to advancements in sensor technologies and M2M (machine-to-machine) communications, along with edge computing analytics and business intelligence from big data. These new methods are fundamentally changing the way goods are designed and produced. We recently wrote a blog highlighting some of these impacts and challenges that coming along with it. Below, however, we’ve gathered a handful of recent industry news articles for you to explore and learn how the industrial IoT is changing the manufacturing landscape as we know it. The Hunt for Zero Defective Parts Per Million When it comes to highly scrutinized and regulated industries, automotive manufacturing is near the top of the list. Understandably, then, automotive manufacturers are quite keen on the pursuit of zero Defective Parts Per Million (DPPM). This recent article from Manufacturing Business Technology discusses the driving forces behind this movement, namely the advent of autonomous vehicle technology. While on-vehicle computer systems of the past may have controlled entertainment or emissions systems, in the near future almost every vehicle system will rely on a piece of silicon in one way or another. With the stakes higher than ever, the advanced capabilities of the IIoT are coming into play to drive manufacturing processes. Moving Outside the Plant: Remote Access Is Quickly Evolving Just a handful of years ago, remote access technology was not a standard. However, as noted in this article from Automation World, a recent survey discovered that 72% of respondents are using remote access to monitor plant equipment and data. While the usage of remote access does vary by industry, the growth in this segment of the IIoT has been strong and shows no signs of slowing — and the applications for remote access are diverse. As Matt Wells, GM of Automation Software for GE Digital said, ““Anyone dealing with distributed fleets has a strong demand to be able to see, manage or control it from a remote spot,” he explains. “It all comes down to the difficulty of accessing that remote asset.” Big Data and Shale 2.0 As oil prices seem to have stabilized (for now) at a lower new norm, oil companies are having to get creative to keep margins healthy and profits rising. One of the ways companies are accomplishing this is through Big Data and the IIoT. This article from E&P Magazine highlights some of the challenges and hesitancies that are emerging within the industry, often fueled by cultural difficulties. However, Mark Slaughter — longtime Halliburton employee and current venture capital advisor — believes in just 10 years, smart analytics will give oil companies the ability to produce the most economic barrel of oil. Preventing Machine Failures through A.I. Automotive recalls are a massive expense for car manufacturers, not to mention the significant public relations disaster that can arise. In an effort to avoid this expensive and unseemly events, automotive companies are turning towards next-gen analytics and automation technologies to help prevent this issues before they become widespread problems. This article from IT Brief states that a recent McKinsey study shows that predictive maintenance could save global businesses an incredible $630 billion a year by 2025. In a world where recalls are pricey PR nightmares, this is music to automotive manufacturers ears. The IIoT’s Role in Product as a Service and Predictive Maintenance Models This recent article from Plant Services explores how the IIoT is changing the way equipment manufacturers and service providers approach their business, particularly through Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Predictive Maintenance (PdM). PaaS is the idea of charging for the output of a piece of equipment, rather than an upfront fee for the equipment itself. For example, the volume of compressed air generated by an air compressor. With PdM, advanced analytics are used to monitor the various systems in a piece of equipment, and diagnose and fix potential issues before they become larger (and more expensive ones). As the IIoT continues to grow, and more applications become mainstream, it will be interesting to see how manufacturing processes adapt and change. What new manufacturing promise do you think the IIoT holds? Where industry do you see IIoT gaining a foothold in next?
Connected Oil Fields in Peru
China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is one of the largest energy companies in the world with operations in 28 countries. In May 2017, CNPC announced it would invest $2 billion in an oil and natural gas block in the southern part of Peru. Beyond the recent investment, CNPC has had a presence in Peru for more than 20 years, including oil fields in the northern portion of the country. To optimize operations in 2009, CNPC ran a pilot test in Piura, Peru to find the ideal communication solution for monitoring, collecting and transporting data. Piura is a coastal city located near the equator where the average temperatures hover around 95 degrees Fahrenheight. To connect the oil fields into the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, CNPC needed a communication technology built to withstand harsh weather, such as high temperatures, large amounts of rain, wind and a variety of other environmental factors. The goal of the pilot was to have several test sites reporting to a gateway and then into a SCADA system to monitor several pumping devices and equipment including: Pump of Controller (POC), Pump Cavity Progressive (PCP), Balance Oil Recovery System (BORS) and plunger lift. FHSS for Oil and Gas In the Piura test case, the distances between links weren’t long, but depressions, canyons and steams made line-of-site (LOS) a challenge. CNPC, who tested multiple Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication solutions in Piura, found that FreeWave’s Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology solutions offered the most reliable connectivity in comparison to other solutions used during the test. FreeWave solutions also use repeaters that helped establish and maintain connectivity despite the lack of LOS. Additionally, the links were established easily and fast in comparison to other solutions that were a part of the test. During the entire three-month pilot, the FHSS-based M2M solutions did not lose communication or the ability to send data to the SCADA system. Industrially hardened, ruggedized FHSS technology has proven to be reliable in in many oil and gas installations around the world. As the Industrial IoT (IIoT) drives connectivity, we continue to see the demand for reliable communication links in environments like Piura that can have challenging conditions. FHSS technology offers not only a reliable, easy to install communication link, but it easily integrates into today’s modern IIoT networks. To get the full story about the test sites in Piura, read the case study: https://www.freewave.com/case-studies/china-national-petroleum-company/
Can Oil and Gas Keep Up with Digital Disruption?
The oil and gas industry has faced transformational potential in the last several years. As a critical piece of infrastructure for nearly every industry – and the economy – it’s ability to keep pace with the lightning rate of technological upheaval has been challenged. The convergence of IoT, the Cloud and Big Data has created a whirlwind of possibilities, but the major challenge will be whether the industry can successfully unify its data collection and transport at the necessary scale. There are several factors that will determine the ultimate success of this data: hardware capable of handling the consistently rugged environment, reliable connectivity, a general consensus on the best programming language for widespread use, and the applications capable of transforming Big Data into Smart Data. Rugged Hardware Most well pads are set in remote environments where the conditions are rugged or downright extreme. Not only are RF communications greatly affected by these conditions, but as the connectivity shifts toward (potentially) remote WiFi, then the devices must not only be more sophisticated, but that sophistication must be ruggedized as well. We recently published a case study that shows how our radios held up in a cool use-case in Antarctica for data collection in an extremely harsh environment. Granted, most oil companies are not looking Antarctica as a possible drilling location, but the visual does a good job of showing just how rugged the hardware needs to be. It cannot fail when delivering data to companies, as that data is more important than ever. Reliable Connectivity There are several different methods for connectivity at remote locations, but two that are gaining ground on traditional systems are Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) and WiFi. Of the two, WiFi faces the greatest obstacles because it relies on several different transfer or booster points, but its strengths as a transport method are starting to outweigh some of those challenges. FHSS has been around for quite a while, but the technology, surprisingly, is still somewhat misunderstood. The ripple effect from its applications are felt throughout many industries, but the key differentiators are its consistency and reliability. Programming Languages Today, there is hardware on the market that is capable of putting proprietary, third-party applications at the edge. But, in order for these apps to be effective, the industry needs to find the programming language that best serves the need. It’s similar to when personal computers were first hitting the market. Each PC company wanted its computer to run its own kind of software, but the industry ultimately realized that best chance for success was to create a standard. Since then, even though open source is still a critical piece of software development, most PCs and other platforms can basically run the same kind of software. This same approach to standardization needs to be taken with programming languages or the battle for supremacy will continue to fracture an industry at a time when it needs cohesion for maximum growth. Edge Applications Speaking of finding a unified programming language, the result of that will be an explosion of applications that can be deployed on the aforementioned hardware. Once companies have the ability to create these applications to fit specific needs, then they will be able to take Big Data and turn it into Smart Data. A hallmark of the Industrial IoT, and what separates it from basic machine-to-machine communication, is the intelligence. Smarter applications means smarter data means more efficiency. Many of these platforms are still in their infancies, but we’ve seen evidence of a strong groundswell bringing these to the forefront. Ultimately, if these four components can come together in the right way, the oil and gas industry will be able to reap the benefits. And, frankly, they will be reaping these benefits long before other industrially oriented markets. Aligning these needs is not easy, but the potential exists as long as oil and gas companies embrace the disruption and unify the data.
