Technology

Tullow will use Opsealog's tools to track vessels. (Image source: Opsealog)

Tullow Oil has initiated a digitalisation drive for its offshore assets in Ghana with the support of Opsealog, a data integration and analysis services provider

“This partnership with Opsealog marks an important step in the digitalisation of our marine operations, equipping our teams with granular, data-driven insights to improve the performance of our fleet and reduce our environmental footprint. This ability to leverage data to benchmark, report and boost our efficiency is essential to our strategic vision of building a better future through responsible oil and gas development in Africa,” said Samuel Kwesi Dickson, head of logistics, Tullow. 

Tullow's offshore assets in Ghana include four platform supply vessels (PSVs) and anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels. With Opsealog's data integration and performance platform, Marinsights, Tullow can accurately track the vessels on multiple levels, from fuel to freshwater, and also monitor crew certificates. The data aqcuired following these trackings will help Tullow to not only optimise fuel consumption, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Digital monitoring with Opsealog's Streamlog will eliminate the risks of duplicated input, while streamlining data collection for weekly, monthly, and yearly reports. This will save Tullow crew time, and ensure forecasting and cost tracking. 

“This project is a great example of how data and fuel efficiency expertise can work together towards sustainability objectives. It empowers Tullow Oil Ghana’s onshore teams with the right data to deliver high-value analysis and inform strategic decision-making to improve the utilisation of their assets. We are proud to be part of this initiative, which optimises several operational aspects, from fuel efficiency to crew management,” said Briac Lemee, business development manager at Opsealog. 

4D seismic monitoring in Jubilee

Tullow's assets in Ghana includes the Jubilee and TEN fields, in both of which it holds interests with operatorship status. 

In Jubilee, the company has initiated 4D seismic monitoring under a contract with Shearwater Geoservices Holding AS.

The two-month survey is set to begin this year, utilising capacity from Shearwater’s high-end fleet, supported by the company’s state-of-the-art technology offering and extensive operational experience. This will be the first contract conducted by Shearwater Ghana, in conjunction with local partner Destra Energy; and will include considerable local content participation.

“Our leading towed streamer technology is an ideal fit for the Jubilee field, enabling repeatable surveys to provide Tullow and partners with high-quality data in support of better-informed reservoir optimisation. We look forward to executing this project as part of our long-standing commitment to our clients in Ghana and West Africa,” said Irene Basili, CEO of Shearwater.

Leucipa will help optimise well performance. (Image source: Baker Hughes)

Energy technology company, Baker Hughes, has signed an agreement with NNPC Limited/FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (JV) to deploy the Leucipa automated field production solution

Through this agreement, Leucipa will be implemented on the JV’s offshore operations in the Niger Delta, marking the first adoption of the system in sub-Saharan Africa.

The JV will utilise Leucipa’s core workflows to optimise well performance and enhance efficiency by automating functions including performance analysis, opportunity management and scorecards management. Real-time data provided by Leucipa will offer a more insightful view of optimization opportunities across their operations, resulting in enhanced decision making in the field.

"Leucipa is enhancing the oilfield to be smarter and more efficient, enabling our customers to maximise the value of their assets," said Amerino Gatti, executive vice president of Oilfield Services and Equipment at Baker Hughes. "Our collaboration with the NNPC/FIRST E&P JV in implementing Leucipa will support the responsible development of energy resources needed in sub-Saharan Africa for years to come."

The Leucipa automated field production solution assists oil and gas operators in proactively managing production and reducing carbon emissions. By focusing on the specific outcomes desired by operators, Leucipa utilises data to drive intelligent operations. Through the automation of production processes, Leucipa aims to minimise inefficiencies, ensure environmentally sound operations, and assist customers in recovering the millions of barrels that would otherwise remain untapped.

With a 100-year heritage of energy innovation, Baker Hughes is integrating digital solutions such as Leucipa with proven technologies to help customers achieve greater efficiency, extend asset life, and maximise returns. 

Africa Performance Centre is a collaborative hub. (Image source:

To drive innovation and collaboration between industry players, SLB has launched its Africa Performance Centre in Luanda, Angola

A collaborative hub, stakeholders can access digital, Artificial Intelligence (AI), oil and gas, and new energy sectors within Angola and Africa. The company is known for its innovations in Neuro autonomous geosteering, artificial lift systems, and more. 

The 3,200 sq ft facility will breed the environment for capacity building and upskilling in the technological front.

Fostering collaboration

"Collaboration is essential to deliver efficient scalable solutions that meet operational needs sustainably. With this Performance Center, our aim is to work with customers drawing on our global expertise, diverse technology portfolio, and digital workflows to deliver localised solutions.

"This close collaborative approach leveraging the latest technologies such as AI will enhance customer performance and drive production ultimately addressing Angola's ambition to maintain production above 1.0 million barrels per day until 2030,” said Miguel Baptista, managing director for SLB in Angola, Central and East Africa.

“This centre will be a catalyst for digital transformation and sustainable development in our country; leveraging science, technology, and innovation to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for our citizens," said Alice de Fatima Pinto de Ceita e Almeida, Secretary of State for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.

“Angola welcomes, with pleasure, and encourages investment in the oil and gas industry. May more investments come, because the time to invest in Angola is now,” said Diamantino Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas. 

The company also has a West Africa regional office in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Virtual reality has emerged as a cost-effective option. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

GlobalData has released its strategic intelligence report, titled, 'Virtual Reality in Oil and Gas' that looks into areas of application of virtual reality in the industry, from rigs and pipelines to refineries

Oil and gas companies are now investing on training modules for the workforce and visualising the asset under consideration for planning and decision making. 

Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, said, "VR enhances the operational safety through immersive training programmes. It can help develop safety procedures at production facilities to address smaller accidents as well as for emergency response."

Companies such as Shell, bp, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, are using VR as a cost-effective option to train as well as aid regular workflows in operations. These sessions usually comprises virtual walk-throughs, away from heavy industrial equipment.

Puranik said, “Industry technicians work in hazardous environments, such as offshore rigs or at a densely packed equipment maze in a refinery. VR can be used to relay important information and instructions to the technician onsite, without the need to fly out experts to that location or carrying detailed instruction manuals for referencing.”

VR plays a key role in the digital twin set up, helping companies recreate scenarios through detailed simulations. During planning and development, the collaborating teams can share information using VR to simulate various scenarios. It is useful in optimizing equipment performance and maximizing the asset life. Digital twins help to design workflows and identify bottlenecks to optimize a plant’s performance. Twins also help to create a 3D visualization of the seismic data using VR simulations.

Puranik concludes: “Various aspects of a production platform can be modeled through VR simulations to enhance the understanding of personnel for on-field tasks. They can simulate the processes using VR before implementing on the operational floor. It thus reduces the scope for human errors during critical operations. Besides, designers and engineers can better visualize the layout under development using VR technology. This can potentially help to improve designs, and carefully plan its execution to optimize the project costs.”