Digital twins in Oil & Gas – What you need to know

Text: Kari Manner & Markus Sukkinen

In the oil and gas industry, digitalization is unlocking new opportunities to optimize asset performance and streamline operations. At the heart of this shift is the concept of Digital Twins (DT) – virtual replicas of physical assets that empower oil and gas companies to monitor, analyze, and enhance asset performance throughout its lifecycle. But what exactly is a digital twin, and why is it so crucial in today’s complex oil and gas landscape?

What is a digital twin?

A digital twin is a virtual model that replicates a physical asset, system, or process by integrating real-time data from multiple sources. This twin reflects the current state of an asset and provides teams with critical information to support safe, informed decision-making. In the oil and gas industry, where managing large-scale, critical assets is essential, digital twins enable teams to improve safety and operational efficiency, ensuring that all relevant information is accessible when needed for maintenance activities or planning.

Digital twins gather data from an asset’s initial construction and continue throughout its operation and maintenance. By linking real-time information with historical and contextual data, digital twins support smarter, faster decision-making.

The rise of digital twins in oil & gas

As EPC projects grow in complexity, the oil and gas sector increasingly relies on digital twins for deeper insights and control over asset performance. According to GlobalData, the global digital twin market is set to reach $150 billion by 2030 – a clear sign of its value in complex industries like oil and gas.

Digital twins offer a range of benefits for asset management in the oil and gas industry:

• Real-time monitoring – Continuous monitoring helps operators track asset health, improve safety, and enhance performance.
• Predictive maintenance – By analyzing historical and real-time data, digital twins can anticipate equipment breakdowns, enabling proactive maintenance and minimizing costly downtime.
• Safe maintenance – Up-to-date technical information and guides at your fingertips e.g. for the safe isolation of equipment
• See the big picture – Visualize maintenance statuses and schedules and let every organization to see it too

Cadmatic’s digital twin solution – CADMATIC eShare

CADMATIC eShare is an advanced, technology agnostic digital twin solution that integrates seamlessly with existing systems, enabling teams to access asset, operational, and project data with ease.

In oil and gas companies, multiple siloed systems and document storage systems are in use. The systems often include:

• Asset management and maintenance systems
• HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) systems
• PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
• Document management systems
• PLC (Automation systems)
• Simulation software
• Quality management systems
• Databases

Documents in use typically include:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• P&IDs, layouts, and piping drawings
• Equipment manuals and specifications
• Safety documentation
• Training materials
• Point clouds

Connecting all this information and bridging departments reduces inefficiencies, often saving up to 20-50% of time wasted on redundant or delayed processes. Acting as a single source of truth, eShare provides real-time data visualization, analytics, and insights, making it a powerful tool for asset management and project execution.

eShare adds efficiencies and streamlines communication between project partners throughout the life cycle of industrial plant investments.

Key features of eShare

• Integrated data access: eShare unifies data from multiple systems, delivering a comprehensive view of all relevant data in one place.
• Real-time analytics: Teams can track key metrics and visualize progress, whether it involves maintenance activities or large-scale projects.
• Collaboration and transparency: eShare fosters seamless collaboration among stakeholders, supporting effective decision-making and efficient workflows.

With these features, eShare helps teams stay in control and communicate efficiently. It enables organizations to move quickly – in fact, companies can begin using eShare within just days.

Conclusion

For oil and gas companies looking to boost asset performance, reduce costs, and gain operational insights, digital twins are a game-changer. With CADMATIC eShare, companies can optimize processes, anticipate maintenance needs, and ensure peak asset efficiency. As the industry evolves, digital twins will remain an essential investment, driving performance and empowering teams to achieve more.

Interested in the topic? Explore how unified engineering enhances digital twins to drive innovation.

Get in touch with us today to learn how CADMATIC eShare can enhance safety, efficiency, and collaboration in your projects. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you take the next step.