5G is the future of oil and gas industry

When oil and gas facilities deploy private cellular networks, reduced downtime and increased productivity make for an overall more cost-effective and efficient operation.

Cellular’s enhanced connectivity allows for the real-time monitoring of the condition and performance of critical assets. Operators can detect when equipment is at risk of damage or malfunction, allowing optimal productivity and output levels. High bandwidth connectivity also means more agility, which offers:

• Next level 5G performance connectivity
• Access to real-time data
• Data analysis and data-driven insights for full optimization
• A fully digitalized ecosystem of IT and OT, with cellular connectivity as the glue linking it all
• Self-managing, self-maintenance and optimizing its own production with connectivity and Artificial Intelligence

Use case

Reduce unplanned downtime

On average, oil and gas producers experience 32 hours of unplanned downtime every month, costing a single facility $220,000 an hour and $84 million annually.²

Today, 70% of companies lack the awareness of when assets are due for maintenance.

By applying asset condition monitoring to pumps and compressors, maintenance sessions can be reduced by 25%, as well as unplanned downtime by 32%. It also extends the life of equipment by 25%.

Safety, productivity, and efficiency are three areas operators are always seeking to improve. Private cellular networks can help by increasing the electrification and automation of critical assets and processes. But also, it can help workers with devices and wearables, which make their jobs easier, faster to complete and safer. While also reducing operational spend by making the workforce more capable and, therefore, productive.

Use case

Connected safe worker

Using mobile device-accessible schematics and plans combined with features like push-to-video will make workers more efficient both on and offsite. After all, a digitally enabled workforce is 8.5% more productive and reduces loss from health and safety incidents by 48%.

Overall, companies experience an 8% reduction in operational spend due to the increased effectiveness of a digitally enhanced worker.

Data analysis can determine the difference between a rig making a profit or becoming a financial burden. But facilities must be configured to produce data and then collected securely and efficiently.

Thankfully, because of cellular connectivity’s ability to bring information home precisely and accurately, soon, we will see the end of putting human life at risk to gather data and inspect sites.

Use case

More data for better safety

Conducting manual site inspections of oil platforms is one of the most hazardous tasks in the industry. The process is time-consuming and results in downtime and loss of production. It also exposes humans to dangerous conditions.

High-resolution video drones can easily perform these tasks with much more precision and accuracy and remove humans from potential danger. However, drones require highly reliable and high-bandwidth connectivity to accommodate flight orders and send high-quality imagery and analyses. Only cellular can provide the performance and reliability needed to support them.

Drones can reduce inspection times by 90% and downtime costs caused by manual inspections by 65%. Health and safety incidents also decrease, resulting in 35% less cost to the operator.