FourPhase, a leading specialist in solids and production performance for the oil and gas sector, has unveiled The Observer™—an advanced real-time data capture and optimization tool. Deployed in five operations across the Gulf of Mexico and the Norwegian Continental Shelf, The Observer™ is set to be implemented across all FourPhase operations, offering comprehensive remote monitoring capabilities. The tool provides invaluable real-time data as operators increasingly prioritize data-driven smart operations.
Addressing Key Industry Challenges
The Observer™ tackles three critical industry challenges:
- Minimizing Downtime: By enabling informed decision-making in real-time.
- Optimizing Maintenance: Through proactive monitoring and analysis.
- Facilitating Remote Operations: Enabling a seamless transition to autonomous systems.
The system generates a live operational display at FourPhase’s operations center while simultaneously updating online dashboards accessible to customers worldwide.
Robust Security and Seamless Connectivity
Built with a robust security framework, The Observer™ follows a zero-trust security model and complies with ISO 27001, 27017, and 27701 standards. It ensures secure connections to onshore operations through Starlink or equivalent technologies, providing a reliable and secure channel for real-time data transmission to operations centers.
According to FourPhase CEO Øyvind Heradstveit, “Coupled with onsite remote operations, these capabilities represent a major leap forward in offshore sand management, opening up new opportunities for production optimization and autonomy that were previously not achievable.”
Proven Performance and Unmatched Versatility
FourPhase has been collecting solids management data since 2013, achieving over 99.5% uptime over the past decade by leveraging its comprehensive database and simulating real-world operational scenarios. Unlike competitors that offer delayed and bulky monitoring solutions, The Observer™ provides true real-time monitoring in a compact, handheld form factor.
COO/CTO Jørgen Bruntveit emphasizes, “Many competitors claim real-time monitoring, yet their systems suffer from delays and cumbersome designs—sometimes as large as server racks. The Observer™ delivers true real-time monitoring with a sleek, portable design.”
A Universal Solution for Data Integration
With the energy sector employing diverse and often conflicting data-sharing standards, The Observer™ is engineered as a universal solution, integrating more than 300 languages and protocols. This ensures real-time monitoring across a wide range of equipment, including the Multiphase Flow Meter, DualFlow Desander, Acoustic Sand Detectors, and client plant data, providing comprehensive and instantaneous insights for operators.
Bridging the Gap to Autonomous Operations
While real-time condition monitoring and data-driven optimization have become standard in many production processes, sand management still relies on labor-intensive legacy systems. FourPhase is changing that by heavily investing in remote monitoring technology. With The Observer™, the company now has complete oversight of its fleet, including desanders, laying the foundation for more autonomous and low-manning operations.
About FourPhase
Founded in January 2012, FourPhase is redefining oil and gas production in fields challenged by solids management. Its digital production solutions provide accurate, real-time sand management data, enabling remote control and continuous optimization to minimize interventions and reduce production costs per barrel. With offices in Aberdeen, Bergen, Kuala Lumpur, and Houston, FourPhase remains at the forefront of advancing solids management technology.
