By Gary Ng, viAct
From volatile environmental conditions to intricate mechanical systems, offshore oil and gas operations are fraught with complex challenges. These amplify operational risks making traditional risk management methodologies often fall short in mitigating these multifaceted threats even though they are foundational. Moreover, anything apart from foundational strategies that are employed to ensure heightened safety and resilience is often seen to cease swift operational transitions.
In an industry where the stakes are exceptionally high, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a transformative role in offshore risk management. These innovations offer real-time insights, enabling proactive responses to potential hazards, and allow users to anticipate equipment failures before they occur. These AI-driven technologies enhance compliance and safety. With many AI companies integrating AI into offshore operations, the industry is poised to redefine its approach to risk management, ensuring greater safety without impacting operational efficiency.
Offshore safety deployments
viAct, an AI solutions provider from Hong Kong, has recently made many deployments across the offshore oil and gas sites in the MENA region, specializing in visual AI for offshore applications. The company has developed video analytics and AI-driven tools powered by generative AI specifically designed for HSE teams of offshore oil and gas operations. The technologies are designed to enable greater safety and operational efficiency in these challenging environments by enhancing safety compliances with video analytics, and generative AI chatbots can be utilized for instant real-time insights.
viAct’s AI-powered video analytics systems continuously monitor workers for PPE compliance, detecting any deviations in real time. Additionally, the system can identify unauthorized intrusions into hazardous areas, such as proximity to heavy machinery or volatile zones. By providing instant alerts for these situations, these technologies enable immediate intervention, preventing potential incidents and ensuring the safety of personnel amid the unique challenges of offshore operations, protecting both lives and critical infrastructure in these high-stakes environments.
In addition, the company's recent development of generative AI chatbots is reshaping risk mitigation strategies by offering precise, real-time insights tailored to the complexities of these environments. These intelligent systems process extensive operational data from various offshore assets, such as drilling platforms and subsea equipment, to identify emerging threats like equipment malfunctions or environmental hazards. By providing instant, context-specific guidance and actionable recommendations, viAct’s AI chatbots enable swift decision-making for the HSE team by using a targeted approach optimizing operational efficiency in these high-risk settings.
viAct also integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology into offshore operations refining predictive maintenance through advanced data analytics. IoT sensors continuously monitor equipment health, identifying subtle anomalies before they escalate. This foresight enables precise, timely maintenance, reduces unplanned downtime and optimizes risks related to such downtime, thereby ensuring the seamless and efficient operation of critical offshore systems.
Case study results
An internal audit reports that offshore safety practices have seen siginificant improvements following viAct's deployment. Incident reports dropped by 95%, while PPE compliance increased by 80%. Real-time hazard detection has led to a 70% reduction in near-miss events. Additionally, predictive maintenance capabilities enhanced operational uptime by 75%, significantly boosting overall efficiency.
As offshore operations evolve, AI continues to push boundaries in risk management, redefining safety standards and operational practices. AI is crucial in enhancing safety, efficiency and risk management in offshore oil and gas operations.
