Abstract

Information Technology has played a substantial role in the entire Oil & Gas business for over a decade.

However, this paper focuses on the recent IT role being played in the industry showing the benefits by giving specific examples of IT solutions within Saudi Aramco. The IT solutions examples cover both the upstream and downstream side of the Oil & Gas business. The IT impact has lead to increased efficiencies, safety, revenues, and reduced cost across Oil & Gas industry both at a global and enterprise level. Finally the paper briefly describe the role and impact of each of the technologies and gives example of such as enterprise systems integration with both upstream and downstream business processes now achieved virtually in real-time.

Introduction

As we all know, the Oil & Gas industry, like any other industry, has been profoundly impacted by IT for more than a decade, and more so recently due to major technological advancements in IT that have been a major business enabler in both the upstream and downstream side of the Oil & Gas business. IT has transformed Oil & Gas industry from a labor intensive trial & error work industry into a high tech industry with an exact science that builds on IT advancements.

IT impact is considered in two distinct IT categories namely Communication and Computing Systems. Under Communication it covers the role and impact of technologies such as satellite imaging, VSAT, remote monitoring, digital trunk radio, and G3. Under Computing it covers the role and impact of technologies such as 3-D reservoir Visualization, Collaboration, Messaging, E- commerce, E-Process, Intranet, Extranet and the Internet.

This paper will be focusing mainly on these recent IT advancement and their applications in the business.

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RECENT IT ROLE IN THE OIL & GAS INDUSTRY

Information Technology Enables The Entire Energy Chain Explore/ Trade/ P rocess/ Store/ M arket Develop/Produce Transport M anufacture D istribute NaturalGas Pipeline Local Distribution Residentia C ompany l G athering System Gas P lant Bulk P roducer Industrial T ermina l Contract O il & Gas S S u u p p p p ly l y Transfers, Lubes P lant P ipeline Production P ipeline Sales, Exchange Purchas e Contract Product Pipeline s, Acqu ired Acquired Exchang e Refinery Bulk s Purchase PP ipeline Batches ipeline Batches Termina l Contract Retail Stations P ipeline S ales Chem ic al Batches C ontract P lant Commercial Customers Fig 1: Upstream & Downstream Oil & Gas Business Figure 1 shows the entire energy chain for Oil & Gas business.

Starting with the upstream business, which primarily deals with Exploration, Production, Reservoir Management, Remote Monitoring and Transportation, IT has played a major role in each of the areas.

The Downstream business primarily deals with Oil & Gas Processing & Refining,

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