Data principles will benefit industry and support transition

·       Draft principles will create digital integrated offshore energy system

·       Industry asked to contribute to the final version

·       Collaboration vital to secure positive outcomes for all North Sea players

 A set of draft principles designed to support the energy transition and benefit every user of the North Sea has been published for comment and consideration.

The Data Principles Group, one of the task forces set up by the Offshore Energy Digital Strategy Group (DSG), has laid out draft unifying principles which are intended to promote collaboration and data sharing among North Sea users.

Stakeholders in the UK offshore sector will be asked to commit to a set of principles to help the sector achieve the energy transition through digitalisation. That is, to embrace targeted, collaborative data-sharing to strengthen predictive models (like digital twins), optimise operations, and achieve net-zero objectives. 

The six Principles lay out desired actions and behaviours:

 Principle: Leading in the energy transition through a shared data ecosystem:

·       The company commits to actively sharing data. This involves collaborating on initiatives that contribute to more efficient operation, reduced carbon and sustainable practices. The aim is to accelerate progress towards net zero commitments, ensuring a sustainable and resilient energy future.

Principle: Increasing the value of internal and external data:

·       An organisation will increase the value of its internal data while seeking insights and innovations from external data sources. Working with peers to apply AI, data science and robotics on sector wide datasets will accelerate innovation and develop new insights, unlock new opportunities and reduce the costs and risks of operations. 

Principle: Targeted use cases, collaboration for targeted solutions: 

·       The company will collaborate to develop targeted solutions,on a use-case by use-case basis, reducing duplication of effort, with the aim of finding practical solutions to sector challenges.

Principle: Advancing digital model/digital twin accuracy through data sharing:

·       The company commits to sharing data and data models to provide better visibility of infrastructure, logistical options, the subsurface and other aspects of the natural environment. 

Principle: Facilitating accessible, secure data repositories for all stakeholders:

·        The company is dedicated to reusing or creating stewarded, trusted, secure, standardised and accessible data sets. This will aid data sharing, fostering an environment of higher quality and applied standards, creating a fertile environment for innovation and knowledge exchange and the application of AI technologies. 

Principle: Enhancing operational efficiency and reduced risk through data collaboration:

·       By leveraging this collaboration the company will streamline its operations by integrating shared data into decision-making processes. This will optimise workflows and enhance efficiency through the application of shared data. 

The benefits of these data principles are wide ranging, sharing data can enable the development of more accurate and robust predictive models, optimising resource allocation and leading to better decision making, offer new insights and foster innovation whilst reducing risks.

Collaboration on data will lead to more cost effective problem-solving and quicker resolution of issues and provide access to larger quantities of high-quality data for use of technologies such as AI, whilst opening new opportunities for learning from industry peers through knowledge exchange.

Ed Evans, Data Principles Group Chair and Senior Consultant at the Open Data Institute (ODI), said:

“By adopting these principles and actively participating in collaborative data initiatives, organisations stand to benefit in many ways. 

“They can gain a competitive edge, contribute to industry-wide advancements, and position themselves as socially responsible and innovative participants in the energy transition. In turn, this will enable the UK to take the lead in achieving Net Zero, a significant aim for the ODI and many of our partners, funders and wider network.”

Nic Granger, Offshore Energy Digital Strategy Group Chair and Director of Corporate at North Sea Transition Authority said: 

“It’s great to see these data principles being drafted as a key recommendation from the Digitalising Offshore Energy Systems report. 

“Sharing data is critical to an integrated energy system that will help to ensure UK energy security and support the energy transition.”

For more information on the draft principles and how to contribute, please email [email protected]

We would appreciate your feedback, comments or questions by 1 May 2024. 

Task Force members are:

NSTA: David Lecore

Kellas Midstream Kurt Prendergast 

Shell George Rorie  

DNV Dave Simpson  

The Crown Estate John Mitchell  

Petrofac Steve Johnson  

Ofgem Liam Bennett 

University of Glasgow Dimitrios Pezaros

Storegga Ian Lawrence  

Open Data Institute Ed Evans