PETRONAS is looking forward to more efficient petroleum exploration and production (E&P) operations with the launch of its refurbished Petronas Real Time Visualisation Centre (PRTVC).
“We have equipped the PRTVC with the latest technology for an investment about RM14mil,” says Mohd Hamka Ibrahim, general manager of technical data at the petroleum management unit of Petronas.
The centre, which is located on the 22nd floor in Tower 2 of the Petronas Twin Towers, was originally opened in 2004. In 2010, a proposal to upgrade the facilities was approved by the Petronas Board.
PRTVC is now enhanced with new features including a 24 hours real-time smart drilling operations and monitoring centre (DOMC), a secure geo-computing architecture for its data review facilities and 3D visualisation capabilities.
Streamlining processes
“In the past, we’ve worked in a very sequential mode. But with this facility, we want to instil a multi-disciplinary collaboration so that our staff can make better informed decisions in a faster manner,” says Mohd Hamka.
“Having these facilities will enable us to have a more effective collaboration between around 200 of our geoscientists, engineers and drillers stationed in more than 20 countries where we’re operating in. For us, PRTVC is not just a facility, it’s transforming our corporate mindset and culture and the way we work.”
At its maximum capacity, PRTVC can accommodate up to 200 staff. They can also access data from PRTVC via their tablets through a mobile app known as Discovery Web.
Combating complexity
It is anticipated that PRTVC will also help Petronas save time and cost for its drilling activities.
“For drilling nowadays, there’s no easy way to get oil and gas anymore. You have to do very complex planning,” says Datuk George Ling Kien Sing, global head of drilling for Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd.
“We’re talking about going down 15,000ft to 20,000ft, with temperatures as high as 350°F and pressure up to 15,000psi (pounds per square inch) so you can’t afford to make a mistake. If you do, it will cost you a fortune. Each well costs on average between RM20mil to RM40mil.”
Ling adds that Petronas looks forward to enabling its staff to drill wells from PRTVC itself in one to two years’ time.
In addition to this, Mohd Hamka says PRTVC gives Petronas the ability to monitor the health, safety and environmental impact of their E&P activities better.
Next generation
The PRTVC is also viewed as being complementary to the training program which Petronas is carrying out at the INSTEP (Institut Teknologi Petroleum Petronas) Integrated Oil and Gas Training Centre in Batu Rakit, Terengganu.
“We know that there’s scarcity of local technical talent so we believe that PRTVC can be the platform for Petronas to accelerate the development of technical capabilities for our young Malaysian talent,” says Mohd Hamka.
He says that trainees could benefit from working side by side with experienced technical experts and have the chance to experience complex challenges and real-time decision making via PRTVC.
“We want to shorten the training period. Previously, it took around 10 years for a person to become productive. Now we’re trying to shorten that to about four to five years from the way we train them (at PRTVC),” says Ling.
Intriguing investors
Last but not least, Mohd Hamka says the PRTVC can be used to showcase Petronas’ capabilities as a global oil and gas player.
“It will help us to promote our technological capabilities to potential investors,” says Mohd Hamka, adding that it was a deliberate choice on Petronas’ part to launch PRTVC in conjunction with OTC Asia, an international offshore oil and gas conference that was held in KLCC from March 25 to 28.
“OTC attracts more than 15,000 participants across the globe and the timing was right for us to launch it then,” he says.
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