IoT solution turns data insights into actions for drilling contractor

Songa Offshore, an international drilling contractor, has deployed IFS IoT Business Connector to make Internet of Things (IoT) data, captured by its oil rigs assets, accessible in its enterprise software suite, IFS Applications.

A priority for Songa Offshore, which operates a fleet of seven semi-submersible rigs, is long-term asset management and maintenance because downtime directly affects overall results. To monitor asset performance and capture asset usage metrics, Songa Offshore has connected IoT sensors to 600 assets on four Category-D rigs.

Mark Bessell, COO at Songa Offshore, says, “Songa Offshore sees great strategic potential in leveraging IoT to reduce time spent on manual data entry, automate cross-functional processes and to turn raw data into actionable business information that supports and enhances analysis and forecasting activities.”

The first step entails deploying the solution for most critical diesel engines and electrical motors onboard the drilling rigs.

With the increased level of automation, Songa Offshore expects to reduce the time needed for yard stays for the rigs, saving money and shortening unplanned downtime. The process automation will result in enhanced asset reliability, longer service intervals, longer asset lifespans and cost savings, IFS says.

Previously, Songa Offshore staff registered all asset readings manually in the maintenance system. With the IoT solution, live asset condition information is now automatically available in the ERP application, which saves time and increases data quality for Songa Offshore. The next step will be to increase the scope of IFS IoT Business Connector to connect even more asset sensors already available and to extend assets including retrofitting sensors onto existing equipment.

Vardans Saribekjans, senior technician at Songa Offshore, says, “Implementing the IFS IoT solution means significant improvements in terms of asset reliability, service performance and cost savings. By feeding sensor-captured data into IFS Applications, we can act much quicker to service needs and even work proactively to prevent problems before they arise.”