The Oil & Gas industry is massive, with companies spending billions per year in activities ranging from discovering new oil and gas reserves to delivering finished products to buyers. Computers span from rugged industrial to the latest industrial AI box PC to help manage the critical industry, which generates $3 billion a day in profit.
How Are Computers Used in the Oil and Gas Industry?
The massive Oil and Gas (O&G) industry is divided into three sections called "streams." The benefits of computers differ per stream.
Upstream
The Upstream looks at potential sites for crude oil and natural gas. Examples include offshore drilling and production platforms. Companies benefit from using computers in the Upstream by:
- Increasing remote operations. Technologies like remote maintenance support and the Internet of Things (IoT) allow surveyors to check up on monitoring equipment remotely and only as needed.
- Improving equipment performance and reliability. Companies in the Upstream monitor their remote search and surveillance equipment in real time. This allows them to quickly spot issues and deal with them, reducing maintenance expenses.
- Digital twin creation. Upstream companies can use digital twin virtual models of their physical assets to run scenarios from discovering new deposits to how a full oil rig fire can affect finances. They can then proactively prepare for them, improving efficiency while minimizing their possible impact.
Midstream
The Midstream moves, stores, and processes the raw materials discovered in the Upstream. Computers here aim to:
- Meet government regulations. Parties in the Midstream, such as rail and oil ships, are kept up to date on all related laws, like greenhouse gas limits.
- Assure investors. Increased pressure from environmentalists, governments, and competitors using alternative energy sources has made investors nervous about O&G. Companies in the Midstream can reassure them by optimizing their business processes, identifying loopholes, and cutting production costs without sacrificing quality.
- Improve Communication with all participants. Midstream companies and their partners should have easy-to-access means of staying in touch. Example: A field technician can keep waiting oil trucks informed of their progress via an industrial tablet.
Downstream
The Downstream is responsible for operations refining oil and gas into finished products as well as their distribution and retail sales. Companies here rely on computers to:
- Stay green. Natural gas flare-ups and leaks can create vast amounts of carbon emissions. Oil and gas companies in the Downstream can use technologies like cloud computing and AI to detect and prevent such problems.
- Improve worker safety. Stopping and restarting oil refineries is dangerous for on-site crews, as gas and other hazardous materials are released during these operations. Plant remote control and IoT can reduce the risks during these processes.
- Reach online customers. Many customers of oil and gas products spend a lot of time online. O&G is turning to social media and related digital platforms like electronic billboards and kiosks to reach and keep them informed.
Product Recommendations for Best Computers for O&G
The industrial computers for O&G vary in shape, size, and features to handle their particular use in a stream. Companies should look for the best combination for their specific workflow.
Industrial Panel PCs
Industrial panel PCs are primarily used as desktop computers in the oil and gas industry. For example, companies in the Upstream may use them to view digital twins of facilities located in the deep desert, while technicians in the Midstream may monitor crude oil transportation across miles of pipelines.
Rugged Industrial Tablets
Thanks to their portability, industrial tablets have many uses across the three streams. Researchers in the Upstream can use them in the field to record data. Downstream forklift operators can set them to record inventory while unloading new petroleum products at gas stations.
Rugged Mini PCs
The size, form, and features of industrial mini PCs make them perfect for machinery requiring little human intervention, such as automation. An example is computer systems that monitor and circulate drilling fluids in Upstream operations.
Industrial AI Computers
Still relatively new, AI computers are already finding wide use in O&G. For example, companies in the Upstream use AI algorithms to process massive datasets, enabling them to find new sources more quickly and accurately. All three streams can automate many routine office tasks like invoice processing and daily report generation, thanks to AI.
Buying Considerations for the Best Computers for the O&G Industry
Many of the most essential activities in O&G are found outside typical offices and are challenging for off-the-shelf consumer computers, which simply are not built to handle them. Companies need to look at industrial computers, which have been designed from the ground up to meet those challenges. Buyers should ask:
Can the computer resist hazardous chemicals? PCs in places like Midstream and Downstream oil rigs must withstand the dangerous chemicals on such sites. An IP65-rated sealed front bezel and fanless design prevent those hazards from entering the computer and causing havoc.
How does the computer handle drops, shocks, and vibrations? Heavy machinery is found throughout all three streams. The vibrations from them can quickly destroy off-the-shelf consumer desktop PCs. This is especially true in the Midstream, where various machines process crude oil and natural gas into usable products. Industrial computers can withstand such conditions, thanks to their rugged design and build (IEC 60068-2-27).
Is the PC weatherproof? In challenging settings like deserts or water locations, computers may have to deal with extreme temperatures or humidity. Again, industrial PCs' rugged design and industrial parts ensure they work just fine.
How reliable is it? In all three streams, computers are expected to be working 24/7 in various locations and at different times. Oil refineries in the Midstream can run for years. Industrial PCs are up to the task thanks to industrial-grade parts and fanless design.
Will the computer work with other essential machinery? Many machines used up and down the streams still function, with most no longer supported by their original manufacturers. Such "legacy" devices are usually incompatible with today's off-the-shelf computers. Industrial PCs with legacy ports like parallel connectors can connect with these legacy devices, providing advantages such as enhanced cybersecurity.
Keep Oil and Gas Streams Flowing with Cybernet
The diverse oil and gas industry poses many challenges to electronics, such as computers. To meet those challenges, industrial computers have been built from the ground up with such features as sealed front bezels, fanless design, and industrial-grade materials.
Contact the team at Cybernet Manufacturing if you and your company are looking for industrial computer solutions. We would happily explain how our lineup, which includes industrial panel computers, tablets, and mini PCs, will suit your business needs wherever you are in the oil and gas industry. None of our pre-builts match what you're looking for? Not a problem! We're an original equipment manufacturer and own our designs and bill of materials. We're confident our experienced designers and engineers can customize a computer to your specific wants and needs.