The power of digital asset management

Eric Klein, Global Information Systems, USA, and Joel Hurt Jr., Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, USA, describe how to quickly and easily digitise oil and gas assets to maximise efficiency and facilitate regulatory inspection and reporting.

Dozens of terminals. Hundreds of tanks. Thousands of fabricated valve assemblies, meter runs, filters, separators, and other complex structures. All precisely located and managed through one accurate digital database that shows every piece of pipe, valve, fitting and weld complete with the diameter, grade,

ANSI Class, wall thickness, coating, and inspection circuit or pressure zone.

Once considered a futuristic ideal, this level of intelligence is rapidly becoming standard for the oil and gas industry as companies seek to maximise efficiency, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.

Advances in technology over the last several years have made it possible to achieve sophisticated 3D asset management quickly and easily. Specifically, 3D laser scanning technology makes it possible to capture every

Figure 1. 3D asset management based on comprehensive and accurate laser scan data addresses regulatory requirements and answers any other questions that might arise about as-is conditions in the facility.

Figure 2. A handheld imaging laser scanner makes reality capture of oil and gas assets much faster, enabling a quicker turnaround on deliverables.

Figure 3. Corrosion inspection locations on piping and fittings.

detail accurately in minutes, and intelligent databases ensure that all of the information is readily available.

The continued innovation in technology transforms the industry’s ability to quickly achieve incredibly accurate digital models that can be used to efficiently operate and manage assets and keep them in compliance.

Fast and accurate reality capture

Laser scanning is a noncontact and nondestructive method of digitally capturing physical objects in 3D ‘reality capture’ using a beam of light, or laser. The laser scanner, typically mounted on a tripod, captures millions of measurement points on any surface. These combined points are known as a point cloud – a comprehensive, clear, and precise digital record of the real-world environment that can be used for design and engineering, analysis, and even maintenance. Unlike CAD models, in which everything is shown level, square and plumb, point clouds capture the actual working system of pipelines, tanks, and facilities in the way that they exist in the real world, with all of their irregularities. Data capture is safe and efficient, with no need to climb ladders or balance on scaffolding to obtain the required measurements.

Oil and gas facility operators appreciate the rich detail of the 3D models developed from laser scanning, as well as the rapid turnaround on deliverables. Measurable point clouds can be available instantly, while models and comprehensive digital databases can be created in a matter of days. A natural progression is to expand digital asset management across entire operations.

But digitally documenting thousands of small facilities, tanks, and fabrications to meet regulatory requirements

presents some challenges when compared to the reality capture of large facilities. While tripod-based laser scanners are effective and efficient, they require time to set up and move to different locations. They also need a relatively flat surface with enough space to accommodate both the tripod and scanner. Expanding the use of laser scanning reality capture requires new, more flexible approaches that meet uncompromising accuracy standards.

Recent advances in laser scanning technology provide a compelling solution. For example, a handheld imaging laser scanner with a small, lightweight design is now being used to create a 3D digital twin comprising of millions of accurate measurements as the operator walks through a space. Using a combination of LiDAR scanning, visual simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) technology, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU), the technology can identify different surfaces and unique geometry and calculate its 3D position as it moves through a facility.

These capabilities provide significant increases in productivity and safety for digitally documenting tanks, terminals, and other assets. Entire facilities can be captured in 30 minutes or less, making it possible to quickly document assets in thousands of facilities over hundreds of miles. The data capture is done with a single scanner operator with no impact to facility operations.

Easy inspections, reporting, and compliance

This accurate, comprehensive as-built laser scan data becomes the foundation for a comprehensive asset management system with layers of intelligence that can be used to maintain, analyse, and report on asset type, location, status, and condition. Any corrosion, deformation or cracking can easily be seen in the scan data. Repeating scans of the same areas over time and comparing them to previous scans can show metal loss rates and predict potential future problems. Adding drone imagery can give location context for a geographic information system (GIS) approach.

With this information, routine inspections and reporting to meet API and STI standards becomes both faster and easier. It is possible to pull up a 3D view of the asset with the inspection locations clearly visible, ensuring that the inspection is made in the right place. Information can be updated instantly in the field through a tablet computer or mobile device to keep the database current and accurate. That information can be connected to scheduling, asset management, and work management capabilities so that notifications are automatically sent when the next inspection

Figure 4. Corrosion inspection locations on piping and fittings in a GIS format with high-resolution drone imagery underneath. is due. And informative, visual reports can be generated in minutes with just a few clicks. This approach enables the creation of an intelligent model that not only addresses regulatory requirements but also answers other questions about assets – including those that have yet to be considered. Data is no longer housed in siloes but is now liberated to unleash the full potential of the digital twin.

The next level of operational excellence

The advances in reality capture and asset management technology create new opportunities for tank and terminal operators. Some organisations are already using point clouds to create virtual facility walkthroughs for training and virtual field visits. Others are pushing the envelope of what 3D asset management could be – capturing multiple large facilities with full-size tank farms, pump stations, terminals, and piping; linking piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) to intelligent models; integrating the data into a geographic information system (GIS) and other systems; and continuously updating the digital twin with more field data collection. The insight gained through this approach enables the owner to easily manage multiple facilities remotely. Further advances in technology promise even more capabilities in the near future. Autonomous flying laser scanners and robot-mounted systems that can navigate around obstacles to capture measurements from the air and on the ground offer the potential for increased safety and unique insights in challenging environments. The continued evolution of augmented and mixed reality platforms will make it easier to visualise hidden or buried assets and make more informed decisions. In many ways, though, the future is already here. A comprehensive approach to asset management is completely accessible to every oil and gas operation at every level. There is no better way to achieve regulatory compliance and operational value than with digital 3D asset management based on fast and accurate reality capture.