Rig Move Process: Logistics And Drones In Oman’s Oil And Gas Industry

The Role of Rig Move in Oman’s Oil and Gas Industry

Sultanate Oman has been, and will be, a key player in oil and gas and it has already taken serious steps to Oman’s economy on the global trade map. The industry has a crucial role in explorations, productions, and delivery, while delivering sustainable and equitable economic growth (Cuthill, 2020). The operation of rigs explorations is mainly relaying on a planned time to drill. Well engineers & geomatics yearly working on sequence rigs plan and moving the rigs around. To meet the company delivery, the operation meet the planned time. So, Logistics main operation is rig move & cargo transportation. Rig move smoothness planning and efficiency is the goal of logistic Cargo Haulage operation (Cuthill, 2020).  This report will shed light on Rig move and its process, route survey and drones used and their purpose in operations. This report further shed light on advantages of using 3D printed technologies in drones, how it is beneficial for the technologies to work efficiently.

Rig movement is very crucial for the operation as it contributes vitally to the production. This process most follow the time to meet the yearly delivery of the company. In logistic, we continue to identify opportunities to meet the plan of rigs move (Cuthill, 2020). These opportunities remain commercially and technically challenging and will require greater collaboration and partnership to unlock them, with several pilots and projects being initiated on lean, and digitalize the process (Cuthill, 2020).  

• Rig move process

After drilling the oil reservoir, logistics department start his job by Cargo Haulage team to operate the rig move (Rabah, 2018). DSV confirms to 4PL & 3PL (Contract companies that operate the rig move) that it’s time to move the rig to another reservoir to drill. The below figure is rig move process:

 

Figure 1: Rig Move Process

Source: https://www.slideshare.net/SARWARSALAM/rig-move-safety  

Rig move involves the following moves: (Rabah, 2018).

1-     Advance load such as, chemicals, pipes, etc.

2-     Mini camps and rig move.

3-     Main camps. 

• Challenges in Rig move

To reach the KPI of rig move, 4PL & 3PL most meet the target time to do a full rig move. Rig move process can take 7 – 10 days. All the operation depends in one main process at rig move which is Route Survey (Rabah, 2018).

A valid & correct Route Survey will save time, Zero HSE, and cost.

Definition

A Route Survey is a collection of data in operations to gather information about various routes like, utility pipe, railway, or roadway (Desa et al. 2019). Surveyors task is to find cost effective route. From the survey team data, engineers plan out the route in detail and creating specifications for crews to follow the guidelines according to it. It is very essential to have similar qualification or surveying degree to participate in a survey of the route, and internships vacancies are also available sometimes for students who want to acquire practical skills (Desa et al. 2019) Route survey includes office and field work required to design, plan and layout any narrow and long facilities of the transportation.

• Purpose

Purpose of route survey is to provide the right location of way lines, reference line, centerline in relation terrain features and property lines (Sato et al. 2020). PDO use route survey to ensure the clear path to move their rigs with avoiding main public roads & residential areas. Heavy vehicles and wide tanks required large area to move. Route survey is held by 3PL Route survey specialists (Sato et al. 2020).  They required certain equipment that measure the place by wide & Hight to avoid any accident that will delay the operation of Wells (Sato et al. 2020).   

Route Survey: A Vital Component of Rig Move

Route Surveys shall include but are not limited to the proper location, documentation, and description of the following routes:

• Roadways and highways.
• Transmission lines for communications, fuel, chemical, water and electrical needs.
• Canals, waterways, drainage ditches and sewers.
• Mountains and hills.
• OHL & Kicker boards (Sato et al. 2020).   
  • Route Survey Materials

Route Survey require high quality materials to conduct the survey. PDO mainly seek for new technology to operate rig move in accurate & highly quality information raises from highly quality equipment and materials (Tomhave and Khani 2022). On my article it will mainly focus in using drones to survey & capture the information required to finalize the Route Survey to execute the Rig Move (Tomhave and Khani 2022). 

A drone is an unmanned ariel vehicle (Zhu et al. 2020). It is a flying robot that is controlled remotely or controlled by software embedded system, that work in combination with (GPS) global positioning system and sensors (Zhu et al. 2020).  Drones are usually associated with military (they were used in intelligence gathering, anti-aircraft practice, and controversially in weapons platforms. It is also used for civilian roles like; traffic monitoring, search and rescue, surveillance, delivery services, videography etc (Zhu et al. 2020). Drones are divided into two basic function, navigation and flight mode. Recently in 2021, Alphabet wing project declared that they would pass 1 lack drone delivery mode. According to the research of markets and markets revenue of commercial drone market will reach $40.7 billion by 2026 (Zhu et al. 2020).  

• Focus on the drone industry

Unmanned aircraft and drones have become essential components of many government organization and businesses in every part of the world (Sim et al. 2016). The progress of complementary technologies like 5G has helped enlarged reality and vision of computers are anticipated to drive drone market development and improvement in communication and intelligence in drone technologies (Sim et al. 2016). Government agencies are refining their rules and regulations due to increase in commercial and personal use of drones. Drones also introduce attack vectors and new security vulnerabilities. Unnamed vehicle system international association predicted that more than 1 lack jobs is created in drone industry by 2025. Drone market will reach $501.4 billion till 2028, predicted by Grandview research (Crutsinger et al. 2016). Drones are currently used by various industries like, infrastructure, agriculture, construction, and inventory management, they are taking advantage with the help of drones. Adaptation of drones in business will help in saving time of the business, thus it reduces cost.  In 2020, many industries and firms are in a declining stage due to covid-19, it has also impacted drone industry (Sim et al. 2016). However, drone industry recovers from that entire situation very quickly and efficiently (Crutsinger et al. 2016).  Drones are real engineering devices that are used for most technical aspects of the application. Based on their knowledge drone’s engineers developed drone, it is used for surveying process, it increases the accuracy and reduces the complications happening in larger areas (Crutsinger et al. 2016).

Drone technologies are evolving quickly, becoming more and more advanced using automation and artificial intelligence, but the drone market has some specificities (Tká? and Mésároš 2019). Indeed, drones are advanced technical electronic devices, with different parts: a body, power supply, sensors, communications, flight control, software, etc. (Tká? and Mésároš 2019).

Drones in Route Survey and Rig Move

It is often heard that military drones or drones for delivery that are developed and tested, but these are not the only applications. Drone operations make it possible to get accurate aerial images. Cameras on drones are ideal opportunities to get images and videos without having to send an actual plane with a pilot. Professional drones can have impressive flight endurance (Shahmoradi, 2020).  Professional drones can be used for intelligent surveillance, but also for search and rescue of people in remote areas. A drone can easily fly in dangerous zones to find survivors, after a catastrophe, such as an earthquake. These drones could enable emergency services to see images in real-time and be more efficient by saving time in the research (Shahmoradi, 2020).  Some drones are specifically made for capturing, viewing, and analyzing aerial imagery and survey data. (Shahmoradi, 2020). Drones are taking aerial photography, this feature can be used for many different purposes, from research to industrial inspections, construction, filmmaking.
More than aerial photos some drones are also using photogrammetry software: drone mapping software running on your computer, and even available offline. This software uses drones to create textured 3D models, geo-referenced maps, and point clouds. Its features include the ability to get orthorectified maps, 3D models, and point clouds in a variety of formats (Sliusar, 2022). They even allow for the possibility to create and use GCPs for additional accuracy. Some of these devices can even be used for thermal imaging. But that is not all, these flying devices can also be used for drone racing, with a great evolution of FPV racing drone (First Person View). Some of these vehicles can also be used by any hobbyist, with civilian drones (Naufal, 2022).

It must be noted that the drones are not used for only one purpose; they all have their specificities, features, and applications (Naufal, 2022). To manufacture these engineering designs innovation, reliability, and adaptability is required. Hence, advance manufacturing might be a solution.

Whether to create a whole drone or just some parts, advance manufacturing is offering the possibility of accessing high performance and innovative features (Juárez Allende, 2022). Micro drones, pocket drones, FPV quadcopter drones, radio-controlled drones, every idea, and project can come to life in the world of 3D printing. 3D printing is very useful in cresting drone, it helps in rapid prototyping (Venegas et al. 2022). Drones and 3D printing are interrelated with each other. These drones help in saving people lives from disaster. For example, in 2011, Japan has faced enormous earthquake (Juárez Allende, 2022). Here 3D drones help in finding people by flying over dangerous zones. Cargo copter 3D drones are the future of delivery (Juárez Allende, 2022)

• Create lightweight parts

From the automotive and aeronautics industry to the drone industry, we have noticed that one of the most regular requirements was linked to the weight of the whole vehicle they needed to produce. Indeed, while creating a flying object such as a drone, it is important to get the lightest parts possible. Advance manufacturing allows innovation in terms of design, from hollowed parts to interesting structures such as lattices (Maghazei and Netland 2019).

Advantages of 3D Printing Technologies in Drone Operations

By rethinking the structure of a drone, the industry may progress towards a significant weight reduction design for additive manufacturing that allows for completely innovative structures that can change the way drones and drone attachments are made and as a result lighter, stronger, more functional drones can be introduced  (Maghazei and Netland 2019).

• Complex design and assembly

While manufacturing an electronic automated device, you need several parts working and interacting together: for drones, robotics, and electronics, advance manufacturing offers numerous advantages (Perks et al. 2016). Using this manufacturing technique is an opportunity to create complex designs and geometries, impossible to create with traditional manufacturing technologies such as CNC machining or injection molding. Advance manufacturing is allowing to print fully assembled parts, a way to save time by shortening the assembly process, reduce the number of components, and reduce weight (Perks et al. 2016).

• Limitless innovation for your projects

 3D printing allows you to design according to your products and projects, not according to stock fittings (Ali et al. 2021). If a brand-new innovative feature is required along with perfectly adapted parts, then it is required to test and iterate the connectors, mounts or attachments offered by 3D printing (Ali et al. 2021).  

• Maintenance management, spare parts

Implementing advance manufacturing in your production process will also offer better maintenance management (Pamnani, 2021). Advance manufacturing can be used to produce spare parts when you need them. One should invest the energy in the creation of a digital inventory that will seriously improve your maintenance and risk management (Pamnani, 2021).

• Mass-customization

If drones based on specific customers’ expectations and requirements are to be created then in this case, it is required to build drones with specific parts and features (Subramaniam Anbuchezhian, 2021). Customization is expensive while using traditional manufacturing methods such as injection molding, but not with advance manufacturing. For small series, 3D printing will be a cost-saving technique, as you can print the exact amount of parts you need (Subramaniam Anbuchezhian, 2021).

Examples: Best 3D printed drones projects

3D printed drone for rescuing missions

 

Figure: 2

Source-  https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/packdrone-folding-drone 

For recusing missions these quadcopters can be installed. Its main aim was to deliver necessary things like food, water or first aid equipment for the people who are trapped in emergency situations. Przemyslaw Mariusz Kornatowski, a Swiss-based doctoral assistant, discover this project. Pack drone is another name of 3D printed drone. Most of the part of this drone is made with the help of additive manufacturing. It is a flooding drone that is made of particular design, created with the purpose of rescuing missions (Subramaniam Anbuchezhian, 2021).

Svarmi is specialized in drone service, through this object it is possible to observe earth observation. Their clients are researchers, engineers, architects, and individuals who want aerial pictures. Svarmi developed their product that are based on client expectations, 3D printing helps their projects in customizing their drones (Themistocleous et al. 2015). With the help of 3D printing company saves 40% of their time in product development process.

Underground drones are created by Blue Robotics company, this amazing idea has come from when they decided to send GPS-guided solar-powered robotic boat from Los-Angeles to Hawaii. By using additive manufacturing blue robotics made their final products that was not possible by using traditional manufacturing (Bourbakis et al. 2020).

Conclusion

 

Figure: 3

Source: https://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2015/12/16/subterranean-drones-are-making-a-splash-in-the-3d-printing-industry-with-blue-robotics/ 

• Efficient as a traditional drone?

Drones and 3D printing is a perfect match and the benefits of drones are more and more attracting for numerous sectors, as it allows to go to areas which are inaccessible for humans. The problem is that a traditional drone can be very expensive if you want a high-quality device (Bhattacharjya and De 2021).  Moreover, it may occur that the quadcopter that you chose isn’t totally adapted to your project and does not have all the features you need. Or on the contrary, the drone can have too many features and you will not use all of them. The 3D printing industry allows creating your own drone; it is the perfect way to get a drone customized to fit your needs (Bhattacharjya and De 2021).   It is cheaper and the product development process is faster with the advance manufacturing technology. It is possible to create lightweight drones, little or bigger ones, and even faster ones. 3D printing appears to be a smart choice to develop a drone project. And if you’re not planning to use 3D printing to manufacture your drone, at least, it is possible to use 3D printing for your prototyping phase (Bhattacharjya and De 2021).  

• Drones & Route Survey

Drones have revolutionized surveying – collecting accurate data quicker, easier, and safer than traditional ground-based methods (Boccadoro et al. 2021). After all, why spend time manually obtaining data – traversing a potentially dangerous job site in the process – when a drone can do it for you (Otto et al. 2018). But don’t just take our word for it, because this streamlined and effective process is validated by surveying professionals around the world:  

• Cost Savings:”Drones enable firms to create highly-accurate maps and point clouds, discover costly job-site mistakes, and predict schedule delays, saving up to tens of thousands of pounds per week, – Richard Clement, Komatsu.
• Time Savings:Using drones that are created to escalate the process efficiently, one can literally take weeks out of the schedule. The projects are much higher quality than before, and they are safer,” – Jim Gorrie, CEO Brasfield & Gorrie (Otto et al. 2018).
• Streamlined Project Management:”Drone footage helps streamline project management. It only took my team a few days to complete site mapping with drones, accelerating project planning with more accurate site data,” – Grant Hagen, VDC Manager, The Beck Group.
• Improved Safety: “Drones significantly reduce the number of workplace hazards exposed to employees,” – Alexander Tubaltsev, Chief Miner, Ferrexpo Yeristovo Mining.

It is  impressive stuff, highlighting, in a nutshell, how drones compare to traditional methods of surveying (Otto et al. 2018).

Creating lighter, stronger, and more functional drones, requiring less assembly and fewer parts can be achieved. Now it is easier to use advance manufacturing to make tailored fixtures and lattice structures to reduce the weight of your drone parts. This technology is also the ideal solution to manufacture iterations to adapt the products as per the needs for the clients. Get the opportunity to manufacture light and reliable drones, with a perfect finishing, integrated features.

Conclusion

For years, surveyors have walked their jobsites conducting time-consuming, labor-intensive and potentially dangerous data collection missions. The emergence of drone technology is making this process a thing of the past, turning data collection into a safe, effective and automated process. Crucially, the accuracy of the data has not been sacrificed. This, coupled with the rich outputs and information that can be obtained from drones and their associated software, is helping firms realize cost savings and return on investment. For these reasons, drones should be a key tool in the box on all surveying sites. They do noot necessarily have to replace traditional techniques, but they can sure complement them. 

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