When to Go with Cloud or Edge Computing in Offshore Oil and Gas

Abstract

This paper will discuss when it is advantageous (in the context of an offshore oil and gas environment) to process data at the network edge (in close proximity to equipment assets) or to stream data to a cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) platform for analysis. It will offer an objective assessment of both approaches and provide recommendations for securing data in both cases, as part of an overarching cybersecurity strategy. IoT has opened the door to significant efficiency gains in the oil and gas industry. This is particularly the case in the offshore sector, where there is a pressing need to reduce costs and maximize equipment availability. In some cases, it is advantageous to process data in close proximity to equipment assets (i.e., at the edge). In others, it makes more sense to securely stream data to a cloud- based IoT platform and harness artificial intelligence (AI) to aid in decision making. In certain cases, both architectures can be utilized in compliment to one another. Many factors need to be taken into consideration when evaluating an edge or cloud-based approach. Some of these include data volume, transmission and processing speed, control of data, cost, etc. Edge computing can be used to streamline and enhance the efficiency of data analytics. In certain applications, this can mean the difference between analyzing a performance failure after the fact, and pre-empting it in the first place, which in the offshore environment could potentially translate into millions of dollars per day. On the other hand, there are situations where it is beneficial to store large volumes of data on a cloud-based platform. For example, if the goal is to leverage advanced IoT-based industrial analytics to optimize an entire fleet of a certain type of equipment, the cloud may be the best solution. Cybersecurity is another consideration. Attacks on critical infrastructure have risen significantly over the course of the past year. As more Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) are deployed in the oil and gas industry to optimize efficiency, Industrial Control Systems (ICSs) are increasingly vulnerable. As a result, the threat extends beyond proprietary data to mission-critical operational technology (OT) assets and equipment. Cybersecurity standards and layered, defense-in-depth models have grown in response to the frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks. Additionally, recent advances in cyber defense technology incorporate small, kilobit-sized embedded software agents to monitor networks for anomalies that could signal an intrusion. This paper will explore new cybersecurity threats to oil and gas assets, as well as strategies operators can employ to defend against them, whether using an edge or cloud-based platform, or both.