Virtual Remote Factory Acceptance Test

ABSTRACT

Many of the well-established practices and procedures those were followed in the execution of Oil & Gas Industry Projects were seeing a shift towards digital transformation in recent years, which got accelerated due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Digital transformation is the adoption of digital technologies whereby the existing business processes are modified or new ones are created. This process of redefining the conventional procedures, culture and customer experience to meet the changing requirements benefit the overall business function. Redefining the process of business in the digital age is digital transformation. Digital transformation in Oil & Gas Industry is embracing of technology to reshape how oil and gas companies manage and operate their assets. The digitally-enabled and data-centric approach leads to improved productivity, higher efficiency and increased cost savings. One of the Process Transformation example in Oil & Gas sector is to conduct the Factory Inspection and Acceptance Tests remotely utilizing various digital tools available in this digital age instead of the conventional way of physical participation in the testing. Many industries were already exploring the possibilities of non-conventional work practices such as Work from Home (remotely, away from office), conducting virtual meetings with remotely located participants. These practices were still not accepted in all the industries prior to 2020. However the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic worldwide created a need to accept these non-conventional practices of remote or virtual work. Post Covid (2020), these are widely accepted in most of the industries including Oil & Gas sector. The concept of Virtual Remote Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) is explored to overcome the unforeseen situation arose due to worldwide Covid-19 outbreak. Travel restrictions were imposed worldwide to curb the covid-19 spread, which made a halt to the normal work practices followed till then. Virtual Remote FAT is a successful alternative to the conventional way of conducting the FAT and was utilized during Covid-19 outbreak. Virtual remote FAT is successfully completed in some of the recently executed projects and this can be pursued even after the Covid crisis. © Copyright 2021, Society of Petroleum Engineers