Digital-Twin Approach Enables Comprehensive Mapping and Asset Registration

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 222048, “Enhancing Survey and Scoping Operation With Digital-Twin Approach for Comprehensive Mapping and Asset Registration in Central Sumatra, Indonesia,” by Humisar Nainggolan, Ardian Shah, and Andi Wirawan, Pertamina, et al. The paper has not been peer-reviewed. _ The operator maintains more than 150,000 pieces of equipment and 80 on-plot facilities in scattered locations, which can create difficulties in identifying equipment, inefficiencies in scoping and surveying, and inaccurate planning. To mitigate these issues, an internal team has developed a system for comprehensive mapping and asset registration using a digital-twin approach that will help users identify equipment accurately and reduce time for scoping and surveying physically. Problem Statement The current average production of the surveyed area is approximately 160,000 BOPD, or approximately 23% of national oil production. The working area covers approximately 6500 km2 across seven districts, with more than 12,000 active oil wells spread across more than 100 active fields in operation (Fig. 1). Each well is connected by a pipeline network more than 10,500 km long. More than 150,000 pieces of equipment are registered in the surveyed area. Most of this equipment is aging, leading to growing challenges in operations and maintenance. For operations to be conducted safely and smoothly, a survey was implemented to determine the initial condition of the equipment or work locations. A questionnaire was distributed to applicable workers. The survey results indicated the following three major problems: - Workers have difficulty conducting surveys and scoping during the preparation stage of routine and nonroutine work. - No coordinates of electrical equipment (transmission and distribution) for routine and nonroutine work were identified. - No piping segments were identified for routine and nonroutine work. Methodology The solution methodology was divided into five phases. Phase 1: Development of Equipment Geospatial Data Into Geographics Information System (GIS). SONAR, a price-reporting agency with a spatially organized aerial-viewer application, provides a GIS-based web application that integrates spatial data, textual information, unstructured data, imagery, facility layout, and external maps so that analyses may be performed simultaneously. The application includes functionality for monitoring and evaluation of on-plot facilities, pipeline systems, and electrical equipment. The application uses geotagging of facilities and equipment and can guide workers to determine the exact location of equipment and spatially analyze the surrounding area. Phase 2: Development of Virtual Objects or Digital Twins Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning. This step includes 360° panoramic view photos, 3D models with high accuracy and properties data, and detailed 2D images of plot and piping plans and detailed equipment lists. Currently, the 360°-view application can be accessed at almost all facilities in the company, in the North Area, the South Area, and the heavy-oil field. This application only is implemented for above-ground facilities. Piping and pipelines in the on-plot area cannot be scanned, but the underground segments will be traced using metal detectors to determine the route of buried piping. This application also helps users visualize equipment with unusual dimensions and shapes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Petroleum Technology
Published
2025-12-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2118/1225-0014-jpt
Primary Topic
Oil and Gas Production Techniques
Type
article
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article

Digital-Twin Approach Enables Comprehensive Mapping and Asset Registration

Chris Carpenter
Journal of Petroleum Technology
Oil and Gas Production Techniques
article

Digital-Twin Approach Enables Comprehensive Mapping and Asset Registration

Chris Carpenter
article en

Abstract

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 222048, “Enhancing Survey and Scoping Operation With Digital-Twin Approach for Comprehensive Mapping and Asset Registration in Central Sumatra, Indonesia,” by Humisar Nainggolan, Ardian Shah, and Andi Wirawan, Pertamina, et al. The paper has not been peer-reviewed. _ The operator maintains more than 150,000 pieces of equipment and 80 on-plot facilities in scattered locations, which can create difficulties in identifying equipment, inefficiencies in scoping and surveying, and inaccurate planning. To mitigate these issues, an internal team has developed a system for comprehensive mapping and asset registration using a digital-twin approach that will help users identify equipment accurately and reduce time for scoping and surveying physically. Problem Statement The current average production of the surveyed area is approximately 160,000 BOPD, or approximately 23% of national oil production. The working area covers approximately 6500 km2 across seven districts, with more than 12,000 active oil wells spread across more than 100 active fields in operation (Fig. 1). Each well is connected by a pipeline network more than 10,500 km long. More than 150,000 pieces of equipment are registered in the surveyed area. Most of this equipment is aging, leading to growing challenges in operations and maintenance. For operations to be conducted safely and smoothly, a survey was implemented to determine the initial condition of the equipment or work locations. A questionnaire was distributed to applicable workers. The survey results indicated the following three major problems: - Workers have difficulty conducting surveys and scoping during the preparation stage of routine and nonroutine work. - No coordinates of electrical equipment (transmission and distribution) for routine and nonroutine work were identified. - No piping segments were identified for routine and nonroutine work. Methodology The solution methodology was divided into five phases. Phase 1: Development of Equipment Geospatial Data Into Geographics Information System (GIS). SONAR, a price-reporting agency with a spatially organized aerial-viewer application, provides a GIS-based web application that integrates spatial data, textual information, unstructured data, imagery, facility layout, and external maps so that analyses may be performed simultaneously. The application includes functionality for monitoring and evaluation of on-plot facilities, pipeline systems, and electrical equipment. The application uses geotagging of facilities and equipment and can guide workers to determine the exact location of equipment and spatially analyze the surrounding area. Phase 2: Development of Virtual Objects or Digital Twins Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning. This step includes 360° panoramic view photos, 3D models with high accuracy and properties data, and detailed 2D images of plot and piping plans and detailed equipment lists. Currently, the 360°-view application can be accessed at almost all facilities in the company, in the North Area, the South Area, and the heavy-oil field. This application only is implemented for above-ground facilities. Piping and pipelines in the on-plot area cannot be scanned, but the underground segments will be traced using metal detectors to determine the route of buried piping. This application also helps users visualize equipment with unusual dimensions and shapes.

Journal of Petroleum TechnologyVol. 77(12)
Openalex Percentile: Top 54%
Oil and Gas Production Techniques
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