Page 395 - Intelligent Digital Oil And Gas Fields

The Future Digital Oil Field 333

networks over the past decade. Furthermore, the O&G industry, while
generally lagging in uptake of new technology, has also seen a surge in
activity and applications of data science.
However, this is certainly only the beginning of applications of data sci-
ence to the O&G industry. While such applications to major value drivers
like reservoir modeling are currently being explored, there is scope for
improvement of almost all workflows that consume data of some sort,
and while not being the primary source of value, still have significant impact
on the entire value chain. From predictive modeling of oil field maintenance
and safety to the applications of block chains for supply chain management,
etc., the possibilities are endless!

9.4.1 Wireless Technology

Automation and control will in part be enabled by step changes in com-
munication technology with higher bandwidths. To assure the seven pri-
orities established by the O&G industry (listed at the start of this chapter),
wireless technology (Wi-Fi) is a key factor in the future advancements of
DOF systems. One such promising technology is Li-Fi. Created by the
University of Edinburgh in 2011, Professor Harald Haas tested for the first
time a light emitted from diodes (LED) to transmit data to a mobile device.
The invention is called Li-Fi, which is defined as a “light-based commu-
nication technology that delivers at high speed, bidirectional networked,
and mobile transmission in a similar manner as Wi-Fi” (pureLiFi, 2017).
Fig. 9.4 illustrates a Li-Fi system. Li-Fi is 10,000 times the frequency spec-
trum of radio; the data transmission can achieve up to 10 Gbps, whereas
Wi-Fi can achieve up to 2 Gbps. In terms of security, Li-Fi cannot pen-
etrate walls; therefore, it is more secure and private than Wi-Fi. However,
the Li-Fi cannot penetrate solid objectsand sometimesnatural sunlight,
bulbs, and other external light can interfere with the transmission. Another
issue is that Li-Fi requires a constant and reliable source of electric power
supply. In DOF systems, the great benefit of Li-Fi would be complemen-
ted with Wi-Fi. If a reliable source of power is available, a series of elec-
trical LED bulbs can be installed at a well location to transmit data during
the night, and during the daylight, traditional Wi-Fi using a solar battery
can be used. Fig. 9.3 shows a futuristic location operating during the night;
aseriesofLED lampsilluminatesthe entire operation of drilling and pro-
duction sites while transmitting data from the production wellhead loca-
tion and drilling operations to a data center.