Neptune Energy has digitised five of its operated offshore platforms in the North Sea as part of a digitalisation programme.
The company, in collaboration with UK-based 3D technology specialist Eserv, created digital twins for K9-A, L5-D and F3-B platforms in the Netherlands, Gjøa in Norway, and Cygnus in the UK Southern North Sea.
This digitalisation will enable around 90 site inspections annually from onshore, expediting work schedules and reducing operating costs. It will also help in reducing carbon emissions generated while travelling to offshore locations.
Neptune Energy Europe vice-president of operations Pete Jones said: “Using exciting 3D technologies such as digital twins demonstrates how we and the wider industry can increase productivity while reducing operational costs and the overall carbon footprint of traditional upstream production operations.
“The technology is continuing to evolve to the point that onshore teams will be able to visit the platforms virtually, and ensure operations are running safely, smoothly and efficiently from anywhere in the world.
“They will be able to plan work, inspect plant equipment and monitor changes in the physical structure, or identify potential issues early and accurately. This is especially important given the need to reduce the number of individuals on offshore platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Neptune Energy has operations across the North Sea, north Africa and the Asia Pacific. As of 31 December 2020, the business had 2P reserves of 601 million barrels of oil equivalent.
In April this year, Neptune Energy announced the commencement of the final phase of the Duva development project in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.
