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Logistics

As lean as energy companies are running nowadays, it’ s never been more important for them to have a strong real-time handle on field logistics, equipment condition and maintenance, and supply chain dynamics to ensure their upstream operations hum along disruption-free even in the most remote and harsh locations. A new generation of intelligent capabilities is helping do just that- and do it proactively instead of reactively.

Historically, companies would rely on oldschool logistics‘ systems’( if a spreadsheet or manually maintained list even qualifies as a‘ system’) and guesswork, moving capital equipment, parts, pipes and materials from point to point with limited visibility into their precise whereabouts, condition, supply levels, maintenance needs, and little insight into what was in the warehouse. That meant crossing their fingers and hoping for the best, then scrambling to deal with the disruptions that inevitably would arise when a key replacement part didn’ t arrive on time, a piece of equipment wasn’ t where it was supposed to be or was unexpectedly inoperable, or supplies of a critical material ran out, with no resupply in the offing. Not exactly a modern way for an energy company to run a field operation.

That’ s all changing with new tech tools that empower energy companies to better manage the risks inherent in a field operation, so they’ re less prone to the disruptions that can add up to costly downtime, safety issues and lost revenue. Here are four areas where these new tools are making the most impact:

1. The logistics of moving assets and materials between warehouses, base facilities, and remote locations

Using artificial intelligence in tandem with data from cameras, sensors, satellites and bots to identify and locate equipment, energy companies can gain full real-time visibility into the movement of field assets and materials, even in the most remote onshore and offshore locations. The same kinds of capabilities can give companies an exact read on what’ s in the warehouse, and on the inbound and outbound status and condition of kits, parts, tools and materials, with automated alerts to confirm when they arrive at their destination. When this information is combined with projected demand at individual locations, dispatchers and receiving specialists can gain a clear and comprehensive view of what needs to go where, when, and in which quantity, so they can plan accordingly. For example, the system could alert personnel that prevailing weather conditions could make it difficult to get a key piece of equipment to a site, then suggest alternatives to fill that need, so they can address the issue proactively, before it becomes problematic.

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