The oil and gas industry is one of the biggest sectors in the world in terms of annual revenue, producing an estimated $3.3 trillion yearly, according to IBISWorld.
About 30 billion barrels of oil are consumed globally every year. Oil also accounts for a substantial percentage of energy consumption – 32% for Europe and Asia, 40% for North America, 41% for Africa, 44% for South and 53% for the Middle East.
Inspections in the oil and gas industry, even offshore, are still often performed with the help of a paper-based system. But holding on to the traditional way in today’s fast-paced world brings too many limitations and risks. The likelihood of human error due to inattentiveness is much higher with paper-based systems and those can have fatal consequences.
Oil spills cause vast environmental and health damages and effectively preventing them should be a priority for all oil and gas companies. More and more companies realize this and as a result, are making the switch to digital tools. With Energy+, we aim to offer such solution to increased safety and optimized preventive maintenance.
The cost of human error
Let’s take a look at a common scenario to illustrate the limitations of non-digital forms. An inspection is performed at an offshore oil pipeline. Offshore pipelines transport oil and gas from offshore wells to overland pipelines. From there the oil can be further transported to refineries and the gas to processing plants.
Since the pipelines are hundreds of miles offshore, the inspectors are transported there on a helicopter. Once they perform the inspection, they return to the mainland and analyze the results. If a mistake has been made, for example if one field was left empty in the inspection form, the inspection is incomplete. There’s nothing they can do except going back with the helicopter to gather the missing data.
The cost of human errors like this is huge for businesses – it costs not only money but also time and valuable resources. And unfortunately, these and similar cases happen way too often. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Flawless data, reduced risks
Utilizing a digital system for offshore pipeline inspections (and for inspections in the oil and gas sector in general) can bring a number of game-changing benefits, including:
Increased productivity
Companies that embrace digital systems for inspections are able to finish the job on the first visit – faster and more effectively, gaining more time for other tasks. Data can be analyzed with a single click. No mistakes go unnoticed, as users get immediate alerts if something is incorrect or missing. The completion time of the inspection can be tracked, which leads to better workflow management.
Reduced human error
When it comes to traditional paper-based inspections, loss of time and money is most often due to human error. Whether it’s incorrect or missing data – a single moment of inattention can cost a lot. Digital systems reduce the number of actions needed to achieve the desired results, which ultimately reduces the number of mistakes.
Accurate data analysis and verification
Most digital inspection forms automatically signal inconsistencies, making sure that the probability of errors is as low as possible. On the contrary, with paper-based forms, mistakes are often only discovered after leaving the inspected area.
Real-time data for everybody
Both technicians and managers can instantly view all entered data. Technicians can add photos to questionnaire forms, even offline. This provides more context and helps in processing information faster, as the human brain processes images more easily.
Work is recorded as it’s carried out, speeding up the information flow and improving organizational performance. Features, such as code scanning, image recognition, or AR video calls can be leveraged to increase efficiency even further.
Saved costs
Increased productivity, reduced human error, and high-quality data ultimately leads to lowered costs and less downtime.
Go paperless and maximize efficiency with Resco Energy+
Leverage all the above-mentioned benefits and more with Resco Energy+. Turn the most advanced technological capabilities to your advantage, such as AI recognition, AR video calls, and voice control. Digitize forms and reports easily with the drag-and-drop editor. Get real-time data and analyze it in detail. Schedule and monitor jobs for maximum efficiency. The app is fully customizable with full offline functionality.
Discover Energy+ to see how our mobile platform can make a difference in the way your company operates.