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Maxibor Australia Chief Executive Officer Rodney O’Meley.
Harnessing the power of AI Maxibor Australia Chief Executive Officer Rodney O’Meley spoke with The Australian Pipeliner to decipher the Australian infrastructure sector while factoring the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the industry.
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orizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and other trenchless drilling techniques have revolutionised underground infrastructure installations. As technology continues to evolve, the trenchless industry can benefit greatly from the integration of AI. AI offers the potential to enhance engineering design and drilling operations, optimise performance and improve safety. According to Maxibor CEO Rodney O’Meley, AI comes with its set of challenges and risks - all advantages and potential pitfalls must be carefully considered. “AI technology provides the opportunity to better use specific data and efficiently access broader information to help optimise the design and delivery of HDD projects,” O’Meley said. “Human experience will however always remain invaluable. The art of integrating AI technology with human experience will be one of the keys to the industry adding future value”.
Where AI technology is applied Enhanced bore path planning and optimisation: AI-powered algorithms have the ability to analyse geological data, including soil composition and rock layers, to help predict potential challenges and optimise the drilling path. By leveraging this information, HDD design
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engineers, steerers and drill rig operators are able to plan more efficient and safer drilling routes. This leads to reduced drilling time, minimised disruptions to the surface, and optimised borehole configurations. Real-time data analysis and decision-making: AI-driven systems can process vast amounts of data from various sensors in real-time. This capability allows for continuous monitoring of drilling parameters, equipment health, and environmental conditions. AI can promptly identify deviations from optimal operating conditions and generate alerts, enabling proactive decision-making and reducing the risk of costly downtime or correction of bore alignment. Predictive maintenance and equipment health monitoring: By analysing equipment data, AI can predict potential equipment failures before they occur. This predictive maintenance approach optimises equipment uptime, reduces maintenance costs, and extends the lifespan of critical components. Proactive scheduling of maintenance activities helps avoid unplanned downtime and maintain operational productivity. Improved safety and risk management: AI can contribute significantly to safety management. With real-time hazard detection, AI systems The Australian Pipeliner | September 2023
can identify unsafe behaviours, trigger alerts for hazardous conditions, and enforce compliance with safety protocols. Predictive risk analysis allows HDD companies to anticipate potential safety risks and take proactive measures to mitigate them. Advances in intelligent plant technology including autosteer and collision avoidance technology are making workplaces safer and more productive. Maxibor is proactively linking with leaders is these technologies such as FJ Dynamics and Nerospec SK to better understand how they can be utilised in the trenchless industry even with existing equipment. Links with China Rail Construction Heavy Industry and other manufacturers of tunnelling equipment are further broadening Maxibor’s understanding of how AI and intelligent plant technology is, and can be applied, at both the design and construct phases of trenchless projects. Data analytics and reporting: AI facilitates the analysis of drilling data, geological information, and historical records. These data analytics offer valuable insights for better performance evaluation, trend analysis, and informed decision-making. Additionally, AI can automate the generation of comprehensive drilling reports, inform risk management and streamline project