Keeping equipment up and running is paramount to oil field operations. Every minute of unexpected downtime is costly. Operators are using artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize predictive maintenance schedules to keep things running smoothly.

Real-time sensors, big data, and AI come together in digital twins to offer a ton of information about equipment and complex industrial systems. By monitoring in real time and using advanced algorithms to analyze the data, operators can catch potential issues before they become costly problems. They can schedule preventive maintenance instead of reacting to unplanned downtime. 

AI can help from analyzing the data all the way to prioritizing and scheduling maintenance activities. These interventions save operators money by greatly reducing downtime and performing fixes when issues are still small. 

Many enterprises are already using and benefiting from predictive AI maintenance programs. Rolls Royce uses digital twins to identify maintenance needs and keep fleets in the air. The U.S. Navy also works with Lockheed Martin to intelligently monitor for, identify, and plan maintenance needs. 

Shell uses AI predictive maintenance to improve safety in its operations. With real-time monitoring, it can identify potentially dangerous equipment failures and intervene early, keeping workers and customers safe. An internal review identified that many incidents were happening in auxiliary systems, and AI allows for consistent monitoring of these systems without around-the-clock human intervention. 

Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) is collecting more data than ever with drones, robots, and digital twins. It’s working to scale AI programs to use that data to identify corrosion and other signs of deterioration. Instead of catching potential corrosion upon periodic inspections, AI can flag it early, reducing maintenance costs without increasing inspection frequency and costs. 

AI-driven predictive maintenance is likely to continue to grow in the industry as emerging technologies evolve. I just wish it were available for my car, house, and—let’s be honest—my aging body.