Why digitally connected operations must be on every mining, oil and gas company’s agenda
It’s no secret the mining, oil, and gas sectors are navigating a challenging landscape. Elevated costs, skills shortages, supply chain disruption and cyber threats are just some of the issues putting pressure on these industries.
Despite the challenges, the outlook still looks promising. Deloitte's 2024 Oil and Gas Industry Outlook (Dec, 2023)* indicates that global oil demand is poised to surpass the 100 mbpd threshold, a historical first. Similarly, Minotec's The Digital Mine report (May 2024)* signals a bright future for mining, predicting a $190 billion increase in value driven by digital technology by 2035.
Importantly, the both reports underscores the role of digital technologies in driving value. They can make operations more efficient, productive and safe – ultimately to drive growth and profitability. What’s more, the benefits of advanced technology solutions can be realised right now:
Transform safety and compliance at speed
The mining, oil and gas sector operates in treacherous and often isolated environments. It also has to comply with a multifaceted and evolving framework of regulations that are region and resource-specific. This demands ongoing, careful compliance work.
Technology such as Smart Monitoring plays a key role in transforming how environmental issues like flaring activities are monitored and mitigated. It promotes environmental responsibility to meet legislative requirements, while supporting more efficient operations.
Technology systems that provide immediate alerts are also essential to swiftly identify and mitigate impending dangers. Such pre-emptive measures limit interruptions to operations while improving the safety and effectiveness of the workplace.
Let AI handle the mundane for competitive edge
AI and video analytics are revolutionising modern mining, oil and gas operations. Integrating AI and analytics with cameras and sensors enables automated monitoring of site conditions such as smoke pollution. AI can also distinguish between normal activities and potential hazards, and alert site workers before issues escalate.
Intelligent automation means teams are no longer anchored to repetitive, mundane and time-consuming tasks. Given freedom to focus on more complex tasks, strategic decisions and safer work practices, they can deliver more value to your business.
Eliminate data silos to make informed decisions, fast!
Site workers and response teams rely on a variety of disconnected technologies to communicate and make decisions. The result was fragmented data and the risk of overlooking critical updates due to human error, potentially resulting in flawed decisions.
Video management software (VMS) consolidates surveillance from various sources in a unified platform, automatically flagging what’s important. This integration allows response teams to access real-time, all-encompassing information. It enables clear and actionable insights to sharpen decision-making and promote a more deliberate and swift reaction to unfolding events, making operations safer and more efficient.
More than ever, it’s vital to stay in touch and in control
Constant communication with response teams during extended travel is crucial for both the safety of drivers and the continuity of site operations. Broadband Push-to-Talk (PTT) technology enables seamless connection through either a simple smartphone application or specialised Motorola radio equipment, even in distant or challenging work settings.
During unexpected incidents, drivers remain linked with dispatch for journey management, allowing a rapid alert to response teams if necessary. In cases where drivers are unable to send an alert, live data enables journey managers to detect problems and orchestrate an appropriate response.
The sooner you integrate network technologies, the more secure you’ll be
To keep up with compliance and expanding network communications, businesses often adopt multiple different technologies. As well as being inefficient, networks without proper encryption and authentication are vulnerable to cyber threats that can compromise security and network stability.
For example, unauthorised access can endanger both corporate and customer data, potentially creating significant problems. On-site data transmission can also be slowed, delaying crucial decisions and emergency responses. However, comprehensive technology integration across people, equipment, systems and information can bolster the protection of critical functions and the broader enterprise. It can mitigate the risk of cyber attacks to minimise productive and financial loss, as well as legal ramifications.
It's time to bridge technology usage gaps
Motorola can help you apply existing technology more effectively, and adopt new technology more economically. By integrating your use of digital technology, our solutions enable you to gain cost-effective improvements in output and safety, while managing workforce challenges. Ultimately, our solutions equip you to build a powerful, versatile and secure communications system that will deliver lasting value.
Enter our virtual mining or oil and gas environments to discover how Motorola’s Connected Operations solutions integrate a range of technologies—voice, video, AI, analytics, and cybersecurity—into a seamless, scalable operational network across the production value chain.