A report on the contribution of robotics to oil and gas operations recently published by Global Data has revealed that advancements in robotics technology continue to transform oil and gas operations. As a company developing robotic solutions for the oil and gas industry this has certainly been our experience over the last several years. We have seen significant interest in and adoption of robotics technology as a way to solve some of the energy industry’s most challenging problems.

Improving safety in energy operations

Robots have been introduced across every stage of energy extraction and refining. From remotely operated vehicles, to inspection drones, enormous welding arms and cleaning machines, automation has been proposed and/or established in every area possible. Perhaps the most important reason for this is to improve safety. Energy production takes place in challenging environments and involves both hazardous substances and heavy machinery, presenting multiple significant risks for human employees. Companies have long been keen to reduce human exposure to these kinds of circumstances and robotics have presented the ideal solution. Robots have been able to take over operations such as in-pipe inspections or underwater repairs that were previously only possible with humans, thus helping energy businesses improve safety across all their operations.

Some top tier energy companies have built fully automated oil platforms, such as Equinor’s Oseberg H platform in the Norwegian North Sea, which is designed to run completely unmanned, with only a couple of maintenance visits each year.

Increasing efficiency in production

Increasing efficiency is another major driver of robotics adoption, right across the entire industry. Robots can perform many operations more quickly and more accurately than human operators, so companies can push productivity up while improving standards. They also capture data for analysis, giving energy operators vital information that can help them improve processes throughout their entire business, and provides a reliable record in the case of any problems.

Collaboration and integration

Top tier energy companies have invested in developing their own robotic technology in some instances, but have also recognised the rapid advancements taking place within technology vendors and have established strong relationships with them. Technology vendors themselves understand the value of collaboration throughout the supply chain, working with both top tier operators and other technology companies to ensure new developments are integrated with other systems to ensure maximum adaptability.

Robotics at OMS

OMS has been offering robotics solutions to the oil and gas industry for many years. Our latest AGILITY robotic crawlers are remotely operated wheeled devices capable of navigating pipelines with diameters ranging from 120mm to 1000mm+, including complex critical sections with multiple elbows and bends. They are used to deploy various services including our award-winning AUGA.node weld inspection system, which uses ultra-HD cameras and powerful laser sensors to provide a comprehensive 3D picture of a weld, corrosion mapping, and weld remediation with our SmartGrind system. The AGILITY crawlers are robust, reliable and portable robots that have been tried and tested successfully on major oil and gas installations throughout the world.

Renewable energy – the future for robotics

As the world begins to move towards clean and renewable forms of energy, robotics are playing a vital role. Experience gained within the oil and gas sector has meant that robotics companies within that supply chain are well placed to assist cleaner energy operators with asset installation, asset maintenance, safety and efficiency.

Nuclear energy and offshore wind – new sectors for OMS

OMS has taken on several projects in the offshore wind sector, where our AGILITY crawlers have deployed our systems to inspect welds and remediate defects in J-tubes, allowing clients to meet stringent project specifications and install the highest possible quality assets. We have also completed several inspection projects in the nuclear industry where irradiated environments mean that robots are vital for safe operations. Much of our equipment has been successfully qualified for nuclear operations and we have now completed several nuclear projects.

Innovative solutions to challenging problems

OMS has been providing solutions to problems for our clients for more than 20 years. We are an agile business, heavily focused on innovation with a hugely experienced, agile R&D team. If you have a challenging issue and would like our help in solving it, please contact us.

Robotics advancements are transforming oil and gas operations