PETRONAS' digital solution awarded Data Initiative of the Year at Asian Oil & Gas Awards 2024

The global energy company received the accolade for spearheading the next evolution of  asset integrity management through OPTIMUS Smart Data Optimization Solution.

PETRONAS was awarded the Data Initiative of the Year - Malaysia category at the Asian Oil  & Gas Awards 2024, which honoured the company for harnessing the power of data analytics and machine learning through its OPTIMUS Smart Data Optimization Solution (OPTIMUS). The breakthrough in revolutionising asset integrity management was spearheaded by its  Group Technical Solutions (GTS) division.

Minimising operational & HSE risks

OPTIMUS is an advanced system that integrates a wide range of multidisciplinary data to develop and implement optimal integrity strategies. The data include Health, Safety, and  Environmental (HSE) data, Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) metrics, operational data, and maintenance records. With this solution, the company aims to minimise operational and HSE  risks to “as low as reasonably practicable” (ALARP), enhance asset integrity execution strategies, and optimise inspection, maintenance, and turnaround costs.

Conventionally, assessing asset integrity required extensive cross-disciplinary collaboration and involved complex, unstructured data analysis. To address these challenges, OPTIMUS  offers a standardised and comprehensive approach to asset integrity assessment. It also supports the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) in Malaysia in its goal to achieve sustainable Occupational Safety and Health Self-Regulation across various industries in the country.

This digital solution, which is patented and developed by an in-house team, represents a significant innovation in how asset integrity is managed. By adopting a decision support system, data analytics, machine learning, and advanced technology, OPTIMUS transforms the conventional inspection process into one that is strategically tailored to specific needs.

Furthermore, OPTIMUS categorises equipment into predefined groups. Each of these groups has specific recommendations for inspection execution, corrosion monitoring, and maintenance strategies, which are based on predictive models and data analytics. This approach, which leverages neural networks to enhance safety and integrity assessments,  allows for precise predictions of equipment part replacement intervals and improves overall execution analysis.

The tangible benefits of using OPTIMUS include improvement in equipment integrity performance; reduced HSE risks associated with inspection, monitoring, and maintenance activities to ALARP levels; and reduced scope and coverage of inspections without compromising asset integrity. Additionally, it compresses costs by maximising equipment part utilisation and optimising inspection recommendations.
 
High technical compliance 

Managing large volumes of data presents challenges due to its complexity, unstructured nature, and diverse sources. Ensuring data cleanliness whilst complying with cybersecurity and statutory requirements, international standards, and company technical standards adds further complexity. Nonetheless, OPTIMUS has demonstrated high technical compliance, as recognised by Malaysian statutory bodies, and has successfully met end-user requirements.  This success has been validated through its deployment at one of the company’s operational units. 

A notable outcome of using OPTIMUS is its recommendation to use Non-Intrusive Inspection  (NII) for 20% of the equipment assessed rather than conventional internal visual inspections.  This strategic shift alone resulted in a significant cost reduction. Such results mark a significant breakthrough in the industry, showcasing the effectiveness of machine learning and digital transformation in the context of Industrial Revolution 4.0. 

OPTIMUS exemplifies how advanced technology can redefine asset integrity management,  making it deserving of the accolades it was given. 

The Asian Oil and Gas Awards recognises the most outstanding players in Asia's oil and gas sector. The awards programme is for companies that have risen above various challenges and remained steadfast despite a very challenging environment. It further honours those with successful strategies and initiatives in adapting to the new reality and those that push for digital transformation and have risen above the hurdles.

The Asian Oil & Gas Awards is presented by Asian Power Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions and initiatives in the oil and gas sector in Asia, please contact Danica Avila at danica@charltonmediamail.com.