Vietnam’s Dung Quat refining complex advances digital transformation
Newly renamed Petrovietnam Refining and Petrochemical Corp.(BSR)—formerly Binh Son Refining & Petrochemical JSC—has entered an agreement designed to further digital transformation of its 6.5-million tonne/year (tpy) refinery in the Dung Quat Economic Zone of Binh Tri Commune in Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam.
As part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on May 19 with AVEVA Software Singapore Pte Ltd., BSR and AVEVA will work together in evaluating additional applications of advanced technology platforms at the Dung Quat refinery to support the operator’s Smart Refinery roadmap and objective to become a comprehensively digitally transformed manufacturing site, BSR said on May 21.
The MoU specifically covers a joint plan to continue exploring cooperation in several key technology areas considered foundational platforms for gradually developing a smart refinery model in line with BSR’s strategic vision, including:
- Development of intelligent operational platforms integrated with AI operational assistants.
- Real-time management and governance systems
- Asset performance management and optimization.
- Predictive maintenance.
- Digital twin applications for real-time operational and production optimization.
- Digital asset information management.
- Unified operations centers.
In addition to opening opportunities for BSR to access the latest global industrial technologies, BSR said it expects the renewed partnership with AVEVA will contribute to strengthening innovation capabilities of the refinery, as well as enhancing its competitiveness.
The MOU aligns with BSR’s steady acceleration of modernization efforts intended to create a more efficient, flexible, sustainable, and real-time operational governance model for the refining complex amid a rapidly evolving global energy landscape, according to the operator.
BSR confirmed it is already using unidentified multiple technology platforms developed by AVEVA in the refinery’s production operations and operational data management, which, to date, has resulted in improved technical asset information management, operational monitoring, and overall refinery governance efficiency.
Based on the preliminary strategic direction discussed with AVEVA, BSR—which has reached a current digital transformation maturity of 3.5+ out of 5 on the Asia-Pacific industrial digital transformation scale—said it aims to achieve a digital transformation maturity level of 4.5-5 between 2028-30, in line with Vietnam’s national strategy for science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation through 2030.
Name change
BSR began officially operating as Petrovietnam Refining and Petrochemical on May 10 following the name-change approval by BSR’s board on May 8, the company said on May 13.
Despite the formal renaming, the company said it will continue to use the abbreviated BSR acronym as its brand name to maintain existing brand identity.