Defining the path to implement predictive maintenance on an offshore drilling business

Abstract

The text aims at presenting how to implement a predictive maintenance strategy based on machine learning techniques in an offshore drilling company. Results are related to the execution of the innovation management strategy for an offshore drilling company where the author is employed. After a brief introduction on technology management and different maintenance strategies, the paper focuses on the predictive maintenance topic, in particular on those related to predictive maintenance strategies made available by the Industry 4.0 and technologies such as machine learning. An industry analysis is performed to picture the scenarios within the digital innovation environment in the Oil & Gas, with specific focus on the predictive maintenance and Industry 4.0. A competitor analysis on the digital strategy of the top drilling contractors is then presented. Considering the peculiarities of the Oil and Gas industry, a stakeholder analysis has been carried out in order to allow the reader to understand how the implementation of predictive maintenance strategies can impact the various actors of the business. The methodology used in the subject company to investigate the predictive maintenance technology trend is then presented. The most relevant parameters to implement the predictive maintenance in an offshore drilling contractor, including topics such as supplier selection, technical challenges and potentialities, have been evidenced. Finally, the most relevant parameters to build a business case to justify expenditures on such projects are introduced.