Digitalization

The OMV Energy digitalization journey started in 2018, and since then we have brought to life innovative platforms, created a data ecosystem, and established a citizen developer community. We have built solid foundations on which we enable digital solutions, deriving value for OMV Energy.

In Q1/23, the Energy department established the Operations Cockpit in Gänserndorf, Austria. The cockpit is a multidisciplinary on-call task force, integrating our experts from various technical disciplines across the globe. They use the latest digital tools and technology to connect with and support our local teams in the field to solve operational challenges, even when separated by great distances.

The construction of the first automated onshore rig in OMV’s portfolio in Romania is well underway. The automatic rig will improve HSSE performance by moving people outside the risk zones of the rig and will increase drilling efficiency by reducing time and costs due to a more effective execution of tasks by dedicated machines. It is envisaged that the overall drilling cost per well will be cut by almost 10% and CO₂ emissions will also be reduced due to the efficiency of automation. The first well to be drilled using the new rig is due to start in Q2/24.

Leveraging the digitalization potential of OMV’s drilling activities, we formed a Joint Industry Project (Smart Shaker) and piloted technology for continuous, AI-assisted, well cuttings monitoring of drilling activities in real time. This technology will increase the safety and efficiency of our drilling operations.

In 2023, we finalised the implementation of the innovative DELFI environment across all our operated ventures. The subsurface data and interpretation platform allows multidisciplinary teams to collaborate on the same data, both on site and remotely. Over the course of the year, more than 280 users and around 1.05 petabytes of data were migrated to the new, secure, public-cloud platform using over 80 individual applications for subsurface work.

Building on our simulation services workflows, in cooperation with Stanford University, we developed and implemented AI algorithms for optimized well placement. The algorithms can handle vertical and horizontal wells, and are independent of reservoir fluids, so they will be used for future CCS and geothermal development projects as well.

After successful implementation of a waterflood modeling solution on two reservoirs in Austria (leading to an annual production volume increase of 0.75%) at the end of 2022, the solution was deployed on three more fields in Romania in 2023. The technique targets increased production and reduced water-cut and field decline by building and scaling streamlined surveillance models for optimized waterflooding.

The e-Permit2Work project seeks to digitize the permit processes across our sites, thereby increasing the efficiency, traceability, and auditability of work carried out. The solution was piloted in Austria and deployments in our operated sites will continue in 2024.