SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY’S EFFECT ON ...

In today’s society, technology has become the new norm, with many businesses integrating technological software into their operations, regardless of the industry. Technology has proved beneficial to business in terms of improved operations and cost. The oil and gas industry has also been able to improve operations and reduce costs as a result of technological software. 

As of recent, technology has been making waves in the areas of pipeline safety and oil and risk management in the oil and gas industry. Businesses are investing in advanced software, such as robotics and automation, to increase pipeline and worker safety and the efficiency of operations. 

SolSpec, a software company that specializes in the processing and analysis of photogrammetry and LiDAR data, develops oil and gas software to improve pipeline construction and oil operations. Bryan Crowe, Chief Operating Officer of SolSpec, provided his perspective on how technology is shaping safety and oil management in the oil and gas industry, how modernized the industry has become as a result of technological software, and what SolSpec is doing to impact the industry. 

With technology playing a larger role in the oil and gas industry, there has been an increased demand for technological software. As such, more oil and gas solutions companies have been established with many focusing on pipeline safety and risk prevention. SolSpec, founded in 2016, was created with the goal of empowering more efficient and effective use of drone imagery and analysis to improve the safety, profitability and environmental stewardship of pipeline construction, operations, and other large-scale land use projects. Crowe expressed that after initially collecting data for a year, they realized the need — and opportunity, to improve the speed of processing, storage and analysis of data. "Today, SolSpec specializes in the processing and analysis of photogrammetry and LiDAR data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Manned Aircraft, and Satellite systems. We’ve developed a secure cloud-based geoprocessing platform and propriety analytics models based on analysis of over 2 million acres of pipeline right-of-way projects to create high-resolution 2D and 3D models for comprehensively visualizing and quantifying risk to pipeline safety by measuring changing conditions, hydrology, erosion control, and slip potential," Crowe explained.

One of the biggest threats to operational safety in the oil and gas industry is pipeline construction and stability. As Crowe stated from a report, "Between 1999 to 2018, PHMSA reported a total of 11,991 incidents of compromised pipeline integrity, resulting in 318 deaths and 1,304 injuries, with over $8 billion USD in total cost." From the past up until recently, traditional methods of operation and poor construction of pipelines has led to fatal incidents. Crowe expressed how operators need a more comprehensive, data-driven method to evaluate risk that goes beyond the physical pipe and includes its environmental context. "Identifying environmental conditions on and off the ROW that may threaten the integrity of pipeline infrastructure is crucial for timely mitigation and adequate preparation for future challenges," Crowe explained. 

With that said, advancements in technology and software, along with the ability to utilize data to mitigate risks, has persuaded many oil and gas operators to integrate technological solutions into their processes and modernize operations. Oil and gas businesses have begun to see the positive effects technological software can have on pipeline safety and operations. As Crowe stated, "Just as ILI technology is changing the way operators conduct internal pipe inspections, aerial analytics technology will transform external pipeline risk assessments and environmental inspections through Right of Way Integrity Management (RIM)."

With an increase of emerging technologies, the oil and gas industry is undergoing a rapid digital transformation. "Digital transformation is sweeping the oil and gas industry as more companies embrace technology to drive vast improvements in productivity, better system efficiency, savings from reduced resource usage, and fewer spills and emissions," Crowe expressed. As for pipeline improvements and risk reduction, aerial technologies such as drones and UAVs are what oil and gas operators are increasingly investing in and utilizing to collect data and improve worker safety and training. Crowe described how innovation through cloud platforms, ultra-high spatial resolution aerial imagery, AI and machine learning, predictive analytics and big data are opening up new opportunities to transform pipeline integrity management, help reduce risks, and accelerate time to value. "Data is available to provide operators with fast and accurate analytics for them to make timely decisions to protect the safety of their employees and the public, the environment, and to maximize operational efficiencies," Crowe further explained.