Digital Twins at ConocoPhillips: Revolutionizing Global Operations

In the ever-evolving landscape of the energy industry, ConocoPhillips has taken a global approach to implementing digital twin technology. This centralized approach has not only enhanced efficiency but also expanded the possibilities for safer and more streamlined operations across the company's global assets.

A Foundation for Transformation

Digital Twins technology has emerged as the foundation of ConocoPhillips' global digital revolution. The success of this transformative journey lies in the efficient management of source data feeding the Digital Twins, enabling the creation of evergreen, updated digital representations of the company's assets.

While ConocoPhillips usually works on a decentralized basis, letting individual business units implement their own preferred technology, they knew implementing digital twins at a global scale required a centralized infrastructure. So they created the ConocoPhillips Global Digital Twin Program.

This program, funded centrally, aimed to standardize the use of digital twin technology, enabling rapid deployment supported by expert teams while removing budget cycle delays. It was a pivotal shift in ConocoPhillips' strategy, driven by the desire to identify a solution that could be deployed globally, creating a consistent, supportable, and cost-effective environment.

Unlocking Efficiency and Safety

By the nature of its business, ConocoPhillips is focused on safety and efficiency. And they were excited about the potential for digital twins to help improve both of those areas. 

In terms of safety, ConocoPhillips has used digital twins as a way to help move workers from facilities and back to the office, keeping them away from hazardous environments . Nick Purday, the company’s IT director of emerging digital technology (EDT), told CIO Magazine: “One of the things we’ve been doing over the last few years is to optimally staff our facilities, and, where possible, transfer staff from the facilities back to the office. This makes sense because it helps with safety, costs, and ultimately GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions.”

When it comes to efficiency, one example is locating parts for inspection or maintenance, which seems trivial but at scale becomes a monumental challenge, like in facilities where there are up to half a million parts. Digital twins have made this task as simple as typing in a tag number and receiving instant directions to the desired equipment. Operators armed with handheld devices are guided through lists of equipment requiring maintenance, leading to impressive time savings and significant improvements in safety.

According to ConocoPhillips, in a recent field study, its Norway operations, which pioneered the digital twin initiatives, achieved a 15% reduction in time associated with basic work orders as well as a 90% time reduction in preventive maintenance checks and the many items difficult to locate without the aid of a digital twin. 

ROI of Digital Twins

ConocoPhillips has seen a substantial return on investment (ROI) for its Digital Twins, with individual examples showcasing even higher impact. The success has sparked a surge in demand for the technology, pushing the company to explore more innovative uses.

ConocoPhillips' journey into Digital Twins technology exemplifies its commitment to innovation, efficiency, and safety, setting a precedent for the energy industry's digital transformation. The company's efforts have not only earned it accolades like a 2023 CIO 100 Award in IT Excellence  but also positioned it as a leader in the industry's pursuit of optimized autonomous operation.