WIRELINE ISSUE 27 SPRING 2014

PRODUCTDEVELOPMENT

SUPPLYCHAIN

AVEVA E3D Insight was developed in response to the evolving use of technology, enabling project decisionmakers to view and approve plant designs on a mobile tablet device

Over thepast 18months, the team atAGRhas launchedversion4of its software to reduce risk andmaximise performance inwell constructionprojects (P1) and anew logistics andmaterials management program calledM². The latterprovides an integrated system to continually track themovement of equipment from themoment of selection, through the supply chain to its eventual return. M² took threeyears from concept to launch after careful scrutinyofmarket alternatives. Itwas originallydesigned to relocate11,000 tonnes of equipment fromAberdeen to theFalkland Islands for a22well drilling campaign andwas used internally for twoyears beforebecoming commercially available.Theprogram represents a£500,000 investment fromAGR. P1meanwhilehas its development roots in the late1990s,when itwas first introduced as a “probabilistic” approach to capturing thevarious factors that impact onwell development. Chris notes that usability and user-friendliness arekey to software development.Theupdates toP1 are thereforedesigned tomake itmore functional and interactive. It alsoprovides information tohelpusers understand the financial implications of anyproject changes. “Aswell as seeking input from AGR’s ownwell engineeringexperts, we involvedour clients in the research phaseof this new launch andmanyof their suggestions havebeen incorporated into the front-enddesign,” explainsChris.

"Our approach isn't based on exhaustive specifications but rather upon broad directions from business leaders and the market. Developers work from those directions and then routinely demonstrate what they have done so far. It means we're able to seek immediate feedback against our developments and better align tomarket needs."

Launchpad In response to the evolving perceptions of technology and the newmeans of interactingwith it, AVEVA has also introduced a ‘user experience capability’ to itswork. It has hireddesign experts to ensure newproducts are as user-friendly as possible,while still being effective in their core function. Customers are also introduced to the development process to secure their feedback. Bymaking products relevant to the customer, developers are “adding value”, explains Simon. “Our experience is that the customer likes being involved…it presents an opportunity for them to see progress in action and take part in that conversation. It helps them to see our vision and even direct some of our thinking.” The company’smost recentmarket launch is in linewith this;AVEVAE3D Insight enhances the existingAVEVA Everything3D (AVEVAE3D) software by enablingproject decisionmakers to view and approveplant designs on amobile tablet device. The aim is to streamline thedesign reviewprocess.

Significant organisational resources are devoteddirectly to introducingnew products ornewversions of existing products,with technology leadership driven from the company’sUKbase and complementedby centres abroad.The activity features a researchprogramme comprising a small teamof ‘blue sky thinkers’with a loose remit togenerate anddevelopnew ideas.AndSimonbelieves that theblendof disciplines, ranging from computer scientists topractising engineers, is essential. “Theyunderstandourbusiness andour customerbase, but at the same time they’re allowed to thinkoutside thebox and test case their ideas,” Simonenthuses. Ultimately, thosewhokeep innovating keepmoving; theUK’s burgeoning world class oil andgas supply chain is testament to this. “Innovation isn’t always successful, but it’s crucial tokeep trying,” insistsChris. Formore information, pleasevisit www.agr.com,www.aveva.comand www.metadownhole.com.

2 0

THE MAGAZ I NE FOR THE UK OF F SHOR E O I L AND GA S I NDUS TRY