Leveraging automated data analytics and visualisation for streamlined and transparent insights-driven surveillance, optimisation and process safety

There is no shortage of operating data collected in the oil and gas industry. However, the full utilisation of this data to derive meaningful analysis and recommend improvements to the business has often required specialist knowledge. Without this, it is difficult to filter for relevant data, navigate the different systems to acquire it and perform time-consuming calculations before useful insights can be derived. Adoption of technology such as Power BI can be leveraged to circumvent this issue by automating the data pipeline and creating a consistent set of tools that can ingest and blend multiple disparate data sources to provide live insights and recommendations, transparent and usable to an entire workforce. With upfront work to develop logic that can highlight key metrics and levers, Power BI can parse, synthesise and visually summarise millions of data points and update itself as often as half-hourly. There are vast applications for this technology, from automated key performance indicator tracking and reporting to dynamic Safeguard Mechanism liability calculations. ExxonMobil Australia has recently included live surveillance and optimisation of production specifications and fuel and flare rates to allow near real-time identification of opportunities to maximise full asset-chain value. These systems have also assisted in managing process safety by estimating future true vapour pressure blending in floating roof tanks and allowing users to manipulate input variables for scenario testing under different conditions. When fully taken advantage of, these tools allow time to be spent making data-driven decisions to improve integrity, reliability and value, rather than number crunching.