Important structures in the oil sector: A study of their facilities

Introduction

In the oil sector, structures play an important role in every stage of the supply chain, from exploration and extraction of resources to their distribution and final sale. Such infrastructures include not only the buildings and plants where fuels are refined and processed but also the digital and asset management systems that optimize processes and ensure the ongoing maintenance of these complex systems.

As the industry evolves, the modernization and adaptation of oil sector infrastructures, especially in terms of technology, becomes an essential factor in facing the changing market conditions and maintaining competitiveness. In the following, we will get to know the most relevant oil sector facilities, their functions, and innovations.

What is an oil sector structure?

Oil sector structures comprise the facilities, equipment, and buildings essential for operations in the oil and gas industry. These facilities facilitate the development of processes such as the exploration and extraction of energy resources, the processing, transportation, and refining of oil and gas, and finally, the distribution and sale of refined products. Properly managing and maintaining these infrastructures is vital for the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the energy industry.

Main installations in the oil sector

Oil wells

An oil well is a borehole drilled into the earth’s crust for the purpose of extracting oil and other hydrocarbons, such as natural gas¹. These wells may be conventional, where drilling is vertical or slightly deviated, or they may be horizontal, targeted to maximize extraction in specific formations.

Well drilling can be carried out both onshore and offshore, allowing access to previously unreachable reservoirs. In addition, some wells have multiple branches, known as multilateral wells, which allow different sections of the same reservoir to be drained, optimizing production.

Refineries

An oil refinery is an industrial facility where crude oil is processed into various derivative products, such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and fuels. This process is part of the upstream segment of the oil industry, which is responsible for refining the products that will later be marketed.

The refining process begins with distillation, where crude oil is heated to high temperatures to separate its main components. These facilities are essential to meet global demand for fuels and other petrochemical products, with the capacity to process hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil per day, contributing significantly to the petroleum value chain.

Oil platforms

An oil platform is a structure designed for the extraction of oil and natural gas from offshore fields. These platforms can be of different types, such as seabed-supported units, floating units, or fixed structures, and are capable of operating in various water depths. These platforms vary in type and function, adapting to different depths and ocean conditions. There are semi-submersible platforms, which operate in depths between 150 and 600 meters, and gravity platforms, which are fixed and designed for extreme environments.

They also include FPSO (Floating Production Storage Offloading), floating production and storage units, and SPAR and TLP (Tension Leg Platform) platforms, which offer stability and production capacity at great depths. Each type is equipped with advanced technology to ensure efficient and safe extraction of energy resources in challenging environments.

Terminals

Terminals are oil sector structures dedicated to the storage and handling of crude oil, fuels, and petrochemical products². Generally located in ports or port facilities, these terminals facilitate the reception of hydrocarbons transported by pipelines or oil tankers.

Oil terminals play a crucial role in the energy industry supply chain, consolidating and distributing oil for both export and local supply. They also serve as refueling points for ships, contributing to maritime transportation logistics. These terminals are designed under strict safety and efficiency standards to handle large volumes of hydrocarbons.

Oil/gas pipelines

Pipelines are critical infrastructure for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas over long distances. A pipeline is a network of pipelines and pumping stations that efficiently and economically transport crude oil and petroleum products over long overland distances.

Gas pipelines, on the other hand, transport natural gas in a gaseous state at ambient temperature. Pipelines are highly efficient onshore, while subsea installations, although possible, are technologically complex and costly. Both systems use pumping stations to maintain a constant flow, and in some cases, transport multiple products, which generates mixtures that must be separated at receiving stations to avoid contamination of the transported products.

Innovations in oil infrastructure

Seismic imaging

Seismic imaging represents a crucial innovation in modern petroleum infrastructure, facilitating more efficient and accurate exploration and extraction of oil and gas. This technology, which has been fundamental to the industry for decades, has evolved significantly with the incorporation of advanced techniques such as high-resolution 3D seismic imaging³. By sending sound waves through rock formations and interpreting their reflections, companies can generate detailed images of the subsurface.

These advances enable more accurate visualization of potential hydrocarbon reservoirs, significantly reducing the risks associated with exploration and increasing the success rate of drilling operations. In addition, the integration of artificial intelligence algorithms has enhanced analytical capabilities, allowing companies to optimize resource allocation and maximize reserve recovery.

In the context of petroleum infrastructure, these innovations improve operational efficiency, in addition to reducing costs and the environmental impact of operations, making exploration and production more sustainable and profitable.

Integration of renewable energies

Using renewable energy in oil sector structures is a key innovation to reduce the sector’s environmental impact and comply with increasingly stringent regulations. More and more oil and gas companies are adopting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind to power offshore platforms and wellhead operations.

This transition to hybrid energy systems, which combine conventional and renewable sources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as well as allows companies to sell surplus power generated to the grid, opening up new revenue opportunities and improving sustainability.

Advanced technologies

The use of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, based on machine learning, optimizes drilling, production, and exploration operations, improving decision-making in real-time. In addition, tools such as drones, robots, and IoT devices enable remote monitoring and asset maintenance, minimizing human intervention in hazardous environments.

Technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality facilitate complex tasks and provide immersive training for technicians. In turn, blockchain provides traceability in the supply chain, and big data improves predictive modeling and strategic planning.

Importance of structures in the petroleum industry

The infrastructure of the petroleum sector is an essential component for the efficient and safe operation of the oil and gas industry. This infrastructure includes a vast network of pipelines, refineries, drilling platforms, storage facilities, and distribution systems that are critical to the extraction, processing, and transportation of energy resources. In an environment of increasing global demand for oil, the ability to maintain and optimize this infrastructure is critical to ensure the continuity and security of energy supply.

The modernization and ongoing maintenance of oil sector infrastructure is vital, as these operations rely on complex field and plant assets that require rigorous management. Digital technologies and asset management services play a crucial role in this process, facilitating the inspection and optimization of refineries, as well as the scheduling of resources for maintenance and repairs. These tools improve operational efficiency and enable rapid response to breakdowns and better inventory control, ensuring that resources are available when needed.

In addition, IT infrastructure is equally important in this context. A modern and adaptable technological infrastructure is necessary to manage operations and respond to changing market conditions. Lack of modernization in this area can pose a significant threat to companies, affecting their ability to compete and respond to the challenges of the global energy market. In summary, oil sector infrastructure is fundamental to the sustainability, safety, and competitiveness of the industry, and its effective management is crucial to meet the challenges of the evolving global marketplace.

Conclusions

The infrastructure of the oil sector is key to ensuring the proper functioning and sustainability of the industry. Its proper management will ensure efficiency at every stage of the process, from extraction to distribution of petroleum products.

To achieve such management, industry structures such as pipelines, platforms, and refineries require continuous maintenance and the implementation of technological innovations, which will allow them to adapt to changing market conditions and increase competitiveness. The use of advanced technologies and the integration of renewable energies are essential to optimize operations, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact, ensuring the safety and efficiency of operations.

References

1. J.M.K.C. Donev. (2024). Oil Well. Accessed September 5, 2024 from https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Oil_well
2. Menon, A. (2021, January 19). Guide To Oil Terminals – Everything You Wanted To Know. Accessed September 5, 2024 from https://www.marineinsight.com/know-more/guide-to-oil-terminals-everything-you-wanted-to-know/
3. Prismecs. (2024, March 15). Innovations in Oil and Gas: Exploring the Latest Advancements. Accessed September 6, 2024https://prismecs.com/blog/innovations-in-oil-and-gas-exploring-the-latest-advancements