Exploring the applicability of industry 4.0 technologies in oil and gas pipeline leakage monitoring: Results from an empirical study

Abstract

This study explored the applicability of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in oil and gas (O&G) pipeline leakage monitoring (PLM) in Tanzania. Specific objectives identified factors affecting the adoption of I4.0 technologies in the O&G PLM, evaluated the maturity of I4.0 within the industry, and proposed strategies to enhance the adoption of I4.0 technologies for PLM. A mixed-methods design gathered qualitative and quantitative data. One hundred and seven (107) experts purposively selected were engaged in exploring the applicability of I4.0 technologies. IBM SPSS 26 and AMOS 23 software analysed the gathered data. The analysis revealed six pillars of I4.0 technologies applicable for monitoring O&G pipelines. Those pillars included autonomous robots, augmented reality, additive manufacturing, the Internet of Things, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. The O&G pipeline's maturity level was 3.1, indicating that the industry has begun integrating some I4.0 technologies into pipeline monitoring or leakage detection. Strategies obtained through experts' responses and 80–20 % analysis that tackle technological, financial, regulatory, and psychological constraints were proposed to enhance I4.0ʼs full adoption in PLM. Strategies developed were building international partnerships, building international cooperation, building a workforce, creating digital platforms, promoting a friendly industry culture and state support for investors. The study only identified applicable I4.0 technologies for pipeline monitoring or leakage detection. Further study can be conducted to analyse to what extent they are utilised and can be utilised in O&G PLM. Furthermore, there has been limited literature on the O&G industry; hence, further studies can explore the industry in the downstream and midstream sections.