Unlock the potential of fully connected oil & gas operations
Key Highlights
- Organic growth in oil & gas leads to fragmented OT systems, creating data silos and communication challenges.
- Intelligent edge-automation platforms serve as central hubs, bridging disparate equipment and protocols for seamless connectivity.
- Platforms must be rugged, certified for harsh environments, and support multiple industry standards like MQTT, OPC-UA, and DNP.
- Ease of deployment is enhanced through low-code, drag-and-drop tools and modular architectures that allow tailored functionalities.
- Security features such as encrypted communications, firewalls, and VPNs are essential to protect critical infrastructure and ensure compliance.
Historical Fragmentation
As oil & gas operations expand, they tend to accumulate a patchwork of operational technologies (OT) – from multiple vendors – often built on proprietary platforms with incompatible communication protocols.
This organic-growth-based fragmentation creates isolated "data islands," forcing engineers to navigate, control and maintain a huge array of disconnected systems that struggle to communicate with each other. Not only does this create issues with efficiency and safety, but the complexity of the connectivity can also introduce vulnerabilities and cyber threats as OT systems expand.
In an age where data-driven decisions are critical, a disjointed network architecture, hosting systems that all speak different languages, makes it nearly impossible to gain a comprehensive, real-time view of operations.
The Solution at the Edge
Designed specifically to overcome these complexities, intelligent edge-automation platforms are emerging as critical enablers of digital connectivity and communications in the oil and gas sector.
They’re not just another piece of hardware, adding to an already complicated mix; they’re purpose-built solutions designed to position computing power more locally to the source of data generation – the "edge".
Their locale allows for immediate data processing, filtering and localized decision-making, reducing the reliance on intermittent cloud connectivity, while ensuring data consistency. Indeed, a correctly specified platform will act as a central communication hub, bridging the gap between disparate equipment, fieldbuses and connection protocols.
Built for a Harsh Environment
When selecting an edge-automation platform, it’s critical to specify a rugged design that can withstand the extreme temperatures, vibrations, and corrosive atmospheres both on- and offshore – backed by certifications such as: HazLoc, UL Class 1, Division 2, and ATEX/IECEx.
The human-machine interface (HMI) must be equally robust, while still delivering clear visibility – even in direct sunlight – and connectivity for other display formats, such as HDMI.
Simplifying Connectivity and Configuration
An intelligent edge platform must speak multiple languages and should offer a broad connectivity capabilities, as well as support for widely used industry standards, including MQTT, OPC-UA, and DNP – with pre-built drivers that streamline deployment.
Ease of configuration is high on the list, too. Not all engineers are programmers, as a result, specifiers need to look for a platform that features intuitive, low-code, drag-and-drop tools that simplify integration.
A modular and extensible architecture is crucial, too, as it allows users to deploy specific functionalities – such as advanced protocol conversion and local data processing – without the need for cost and time sensitive reengineering.
This user-friendly approach means that all operational data – from the simplest field sensors to enterprise-level systems – can be collected, analyzed, stored, and shared for real-time monitoring and historical analysis.
Securing Your Future
In a world of greater connectivity and increasing cyber threats, some security features are non-negotiable.
Your edge-automation platform must provide built-in cybersecurity protocols and best-practice features, such as secure boot, encrypted communications, user authentication, firewalls, and VPN connections. These measures will not only protect your critical infrastructure but will also help ensure long-term resilience and the compliance of your operations in the face of evolving legislation.
By adopting a platform that is purpose-built to handle the unique challenges of the oil and gas industry, you can create the unified, single source of truth needed to drive operational efficiency, improve safety, and secure your future.
To learn more about how intelligent edge-automation can transform your operations, download the full white paper and explore the technical details and strategic benefits.
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