The Ivar Aasen platform in the North Sea provides Aker BP with more than just oil; it also transmits vast volumes of data back to shore. Now, in collaboration with Cognite and Framo, Aker BP is intensifying the digitalisation of its offshore operations and the interpretation of such data is now set to make the platform amongst the most technically advanced worldwide.

 

“Aker BP’s vision is to digitalise all our operations from cradle to grave,” said Aker BP’s VP Operations – Technology & Digitalisation, Lars Atle Andersen. “Key elements are transforming business models and activities through digital technologies and the liberation of data flows. The smart service contract with Cognite and Framo is an important milestone on this journey, and underpins our ambition to take the lead in digitalisation.”

 

Successful collaboration

 

By using Cognite’s data platform, contextualised live data is made available from Ivar Aasen that provides Framo, the supplier of pumps to the platform, with real-time access to data from their equipment. “With Cognite making live and contextualised data available, we at Framo are able to create our own ‘apps’ to predict the status of our equipment, allowing us to plan efficient maintenance,” said Trond Petter Abrahamsen, MD of Framo Services AS. “The new system sends intelligent data on our pumps, so we can predict how the pumps will perform in the future.”

 

The overall goal of the collaboration between Aker BP, Cognite and Framo is to change the traditional approach to maintenance. Continuous flow of live offshore data allows for onshore monitoring of equipment, replacing unnecessary scheduled maintenance activities with maintenance when needed.

 

Profitable at US$35 a barrel

 

Aker BP said it will continue to digitalise its offshore operations, and the company’s objective is to carry out profitable development projects even at oil prices below US$35 per barrel. Cognite’s data platform is a core enabler for such ambitions, the firm said. Cognite liberates and organises Aker BP’s industrial data to create a digital representation of the industrial reality, both back in time and in real-time. It also enables Aker BP to extract useful insights on its operations while sharing its data and insights with partners like Framo, and to enable new services and business models.

 

“The more we share, the better. If we can apply this technology in all our fields, our operations will improve. We are confident that this is a smart move,” asserted Mr Andersen. “That’s why we are clearly stating what we want to achieve and hope that many others will follow.”