IO Design Gives High Efficiency

Abstract

Summary Integrated operations (IO) is about employing real-time data and new technology to remove barriers between disciplines, expert groups, locations, and companies. In this paper, we investigate the effect on efficiency from design and work practice in operations support (OPS) rooms. A study taken within a Norwegian oil and gas company shows an evident correlation between IO design and high efficiency. This study shows the difference in design and practice between four different OPS rooms. The OPS unit is supposed to support interaction between different locations (e.g., onshore and offshore) in the upstream oil industry. Recent practice has established special OPS rooms to make operations and maintenance work more feasible between the onshore-based operation unit and the offshore operations. In this study, newer academic perspectives from science and technology studies (STSs) are taken into the field of health, safety, and environment (HSE). Inspired by actor network theory (Latour 1987, 1999), the OPS rooms are seen as a chain of networks between different physical locations, different information and communication technology (ICT) solutions, different organizational and managerial models, and new working practices, all intended to support the current operations. The IO solution is intended to support and create new ways of working based on real-time data and online communication, and across geographic space. This improves transparency in solutions (e.g., to open up frozen borders between different departments, different disciplines, different geographical locations, and between management and employers, and to foster new perspectives on ICT and on what a room is). The variety of solutions and practices was studied by participative observation in all five rooms. More than 40 employees working with OPS onshore and offshore were interviewed. A survey was conducted on efficiency of operations and maintenance work, optimization of production, and management of asset integrity and technical disciplines. Analyses of the results on efficiency concluded that the highest-IO-maturity assets perform well when it comes to efficiency. We attribute this to a more-online and -proactive work practice. The asset with the highest IO maturity reports a good work environment where it is enjoyable to work. We also attribute this to the transparency in solutions.