GE and Noble Corp. plc have jointly announced a partnership to collaborate on the Digital Rig solution, enabling data-driven operational efficiency by using data analytics, with the target of a 20 percent reduction in operational expenditure across the rigs.
Within the agreement, GE will initially deploy its latest marine Asset Performance Management (APM) system, powered by Predix, on four of Noble’s drilling rigs. The partnership will allow data-driven operations intelligence to provide broad-ranging benefits for the selected assets on the program’s rigs:
* Enhanced drilling process efficiency—Foresight visibility of equipment anomalies and drilling process deviations to reduce operational disruptions and enhance performance consistency.
* Shift to predictive maintenance—Redefine maintenance strategies with a focus on predictive maintenance to achieve long-term, sustainable opex reductions across the fleet.
* Reduction of third-party service costs—Anytime, anywhere rig visibility and insights that leverage the one-to-many impact of shore-based experts to reduce third-party service costs.
“With shifting market dynamics, the offshore industry is on the cusp of change. Drilling contractors must seize the moment to enhance their competitive edge,” said David W. Williams, chairman, president and CEO of Noble.
“We believe the shift to data-driven decisions will have a significant effect on drilling efficiencies. It is imperative for our industry to embrace the digital revolution to stay efficient and nimble, and Noble is leading the way. We look forward to developing our Digital Rig solution with GE.”
“Sluggish oil price, market volatility and geopolitical complexity are shaking the offshore landscape. The industry is challenged with the increased pressure of cost reduction and need for productivity gains. The impending retirement of many experienced workers widens skills gaps and leads to further industry-wide uncertainties,” said Francesco Falco, chief commercial officer, GE Energy Connections’ Power Conversion.
“GE’s innovative digital APM solution unlocks reductions in operational expenditure and enhances competitiveness even in the current down market environment.”
GE’s marine APM solution combines “digital twin” data models and advanced analytics to detect off-standard behavior—often a sign of potential failure or performance degradation—of target assets on the rigs. This can sometimes be detected weeks ahead and provides an early warning foresight to operators to mitigate a problem before it strikes.
As the system continues to learn, this ability to predict the future condition of rig-wide assets will also enable a shift from planned to predictive maintenance. Empowered by modern software-based analysis, maintenance is exercised only when there is evidence of need.
Compared to planned maintenance, it avoids unnecessary maintenance as well as mitigates the risk of maintenance-induced problems, reducing unplanned downtime and creating significant cost savings. The partnership is targeting to deliver up to a 20 percent reduction in maintenance costs.
