An agreement between bp and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to collaborate on technology, such as digital modelling for projects in hard-to-reach locations, extends a tradition of cooperation between subsea operators and the space industry, whose airless, remote and harsh realms frequently throw up similar technical challenges.
Under the Space Act Agreement, signed in August, scientists at both organisations will be able to work together on advances useful whether you are operating thousands of feet deep in the ocean or on another planet. The results could further the ability to produce energy on Earth, and facilitate exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Giovanni Cristofoli, bp’s SVP for bp Solutions said bp and NASA were both custodians of deep technical expertise for working in extreme environments.
“Sharing what we know with each other will help us solve complex engineering problems faster, meaning we can focus on keeping energy flowing safely and delivering higher margins with lower emissions,” he said on announcing the tie up.
The initial phase of collaboration will focus on developing standards and expanding the capabilities of visualization and simulation models. Later collaboration could include the exchange of remote operating practices, including safety, communications, process control and monitoring, integrity management, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence.
Other areas that could benefit through the cross-fertilisation of ideas could be hydrogen, regenerative fuel cells, high-capacity batteries, solar power systems, small fission systems and innovative power management and distribution, according to bp.
Digital applications
The energy company highlighted its long track record in developing digital technology advances, including those showcased on Argos, its latest offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico – its hub for its $9 billion Mad Dog 2 project.
Describing Argos as of the most technologically- advanced offshore facilities built to date, bp said innovative technology on the platform allowed remote teams to make better decisions, optimize production and identify potential issues. This includes state-of-the-art remote communications, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, digital twin and simulation models.
The Dynamic Digital Twin (DDT) software developed by bp is a case in point. DDT creates a “skeleton copy” of the platform, helping bp plan virtually for startup by bringing together in one place all the vital information, from engineering drawings to real-time sensor readings. The company says DDT was instrumental in the development of the Argos platform.
Know-how and tech of the type developed for projects like Argos has potential applications in space, perhaps for building bases on other worlds. Drilling techniques pioneered subsea could also deployed away from earth
Technology transfer
For its part, NASA has been keen to forge links with the energy industry and other high-tech sectors over the years, for example running a technology transfer programme to ensure that innovations it has developed to explore space is made available to a wide range of users.
NASA’s methane detection capabilities deployed via the International Space Station and its satellite network is another area where the agency is providing valuable assistance to energy producers and other emitters under pressure to reduce the amount of the potent greenhouse gas they emit into the atmosphere.
Others are contributing to methane detection from space too. Earlier in 2024, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) satellite MethaneSAT was launched, as part of a partnership between EDF and Google to make detailed information on methane emissions from oil and gas producing regions and elsewhere available more widely.
Neither is NASA the only space agency seeking to exchange expertise of terrestrial industries such as oil and gas. The European Space Agency has its own commercialisation programme. Meanwhile, the UK Space Agency has been backing a research programme, as part of which Rolls Royce has been working on the design of a modular nuclear reactor that could be used on the moon.
