Optimizing OT Management: Boosting Efficiency & Resilience on FPSOs
Over the past decade, there has been a remarkable surge in how companies manage their operational technology (OT) asset inventory. But what has influenced this transformation, and how does this look in an industrial setting such as a floating production storage and offloading (FSPO) unit?
Various factors, including industry trends, audits from both external companies and clients, end customer expectations, and insurance and financial assurance mandates are all at play. Alongside these, are the ongoing efforts to strive for overall continuous improvement. Together, these elements underscore the need to effectively handle operational risks throughout the entire lifecycle of industrial assets.
In this blog, we’ll explore the proven ways to accomplish this and overcome challenges. Namely, by achieving automation integrity and having an enterprise solution available. These factors enable organizations to operate more effectively and accurately, saving time and money.
Increased Visibility with Automation Integrity
Automation system visibility helps to reduce manual work and human error by identifying and eliminating configuration defects, preventing unexpected incidents and potential shutdowns. By digitally tracking documentation and changes, facilities can find quicker resolutions to problems or avoid them entirely. Plus points all round – especially when operating in the competitive production sector.
Hexagon’s PAS Automation Integrity™ is an enterprise application for automation asset management in industrial plants. The solution aggregates and contextualizes configuration databases and programs by simplifying the visualization and management of information in automation systems. In short, boosting the overall clarity and availability of key data.
But, What About FSPOs?
As FPSOs have modernized and digitalized over time, their OT networks have become incredibly complex. A multivendor environment, for example, contains intricate systems from various automation vendors. This requires close integrations and rigorous change management systems to succeed. Even when changes are tracked, this is often done locally. Meaning, it is often almost impossible to have data visibility for the onshore engineering or security teams.
The combination of greater complexity and continual change leaves facilities vulnerable to the effects of undocumented and unapproved changes to system configuration. Engineers also need to be able to access and cross-reference the information they need across multiple vendors. This is why automated, trustworthy data gathering is essential.
But there is also a cost-saving and efficiency element to the equation, too. In fact, when working with customers, we've seen examples where automation integrity has significantly reduced the cost of documenting and managing change in an automation system.
Greater Visibility and Connectivity with Enterprise Solutions
The complex needs of industrial facilities require a solution that is flexible, scalable and smart. Enter – enterprise solutions. Enterprise solutions are designed to meet the multifaceted needs of an organization. This is especially true for FSPOs. This is because they often have a lot of isolated and non-network-connected systems alongside reduced and limited space and resources on offshore vessels.
Due to the sensitivity of operational constraints in these types of vessels, passive (automated) data collection is desired. This is because it enables efficient analysis of OT technology posture for improved planning and operational workflows during vessel visits.
Looking Ahead
As the oil and gas industry grows and transforms rapidly, having OT, a configuration management solution in place, will ensure safe and efficient operations for the future. By providing robust configuration management, change tracking and ensuring sensor data integrity, enterprise solutions like automation integrity enhance plant safety, productivity and compliance. Together, this empowers industrial operators with critical insights that can be used to safeguard operations and foster resilience.
Hexagon’s PAS Automation Integrity can assist here. By consuming proprietary configuration files from different automation vendors, the solution does not rely on network connectivity or the strength of communication links. This makes it possible to consolidate and visualize different automation vendor assets with additional context to make better and more informed decisions about how one system may impact another, for example.
What’s Next?
According to Mordor Intelligence’s report “FPSO Outlook 2025 -2030”, the market outlook for FSPOs is positive as significant growth is expected in the coming years. The market size is estimated to reach USD 18.11 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.5%. Between 81-175 FPSOs are expected to be ordered in the next five years, with a forecasted spending of $99 billion on 125 units. As the industry evolves, significant benefits can be achieved by utilizing an automation asset management solution to ensure safe and secure operations ahead.
Want to delve deeper? Explore these three use cases—ICS change management, OT asset interoperability and reliability—in this 30-minute, on-demand session.
