Accenture`s Top 10 Technology Trends in Energy

1. In next 20 30 years, alternate sources of energy will come

into play. O& G companies will face higher capital costs to
transform oeprations to meet new energy mix causing
corresponding shifts in the industry`s operating models and
ongoing investments in new computing technologies
2. Accentures top ten, is based on its work and research and its
work with its strategic Business partners, like Microsoft,
Oracle, and key industry providers like Honeywel, Oslsoft etc.

3.
4. Currently capturing and archiving data is a pain, piece meal
approach siloed application is currently in place, and
companies have unable to find data trapped in
individual repositories or too much or unnecessary
data available..Reducing the number of applications.

Benefits from such consolidation of apps is easier acces to

more accurate info and enhanced collaboration. ( more
emphasis on shared global resources in future)
5. Greater industry collaboration: Industry today collaborating
more across their companies than in past. Collaboration
comes in form of : simple web based workflows, for
example, meter reading from field entered on a
mobile App which is then automatically entered into
centralized system. Implementation of electronic
forms to standardize, automate data collection &
processing, Today professionals more motivated to
collaborate within their enterprise and also across the
companies. For example on operating principles and
standards.
6. Better Business Intelligence: More emphasis on using BI, to
learn from past and use it to make accurate forecast of
future. In past, individual business units would have their
own database, and process owners. They would add more
knobs to the functionality and make changes. For example centralizing more sites and data sources to create
Single reference for different types of data = such as
shop floor, supply chain, finance, Health and Safety.
(companies starting simple)
7. Rise of private cloud: in O&G standardization has gone the
cloud way of computing-virtual hardware (servers) and
softwares outside the 4 walls of their organization. Rapidly
increasing amounts of data and growing requirement for
real-time access to that data, accelerating that shift. This
helps them go green, free up internal resources. Exxon is
building cloud based infrastructure service to land
exploration workers wherever they are.
8. Rise of Public cloud: Public cloud extends a company`s data
center capabilities by enabling the provision of IT services

from 3rd party providers over a nework- like SAS(Softare as

a service), and replacing legacy software. Many companies,
also using it to deploy new software in support of business
processes that previously were not very software driven.
Savings come from eliminating cost of hardware, software,
maintenance and IT labor, along with benefits of replacing
CAPEX with pay as u go utilitiy this makes public cloud
even more appealing. For example Google offers its
email service for $50/year per user, cost of running
this internally can be $250/yr per user. Small web based
functions (SAS) HR, maintenance management, file
exchange
in
CAPEX
projects.
Example

salesforce.com SAS example front office apps

deployment.
9. More shared service organizations: individual companies
have tough time getting resources and skills to support their
IT operations full time. A SSO offers one to many model to
help centralize operations, standardize computing, control
costs and deliver more reliable service to all users. Example
internal SSO, partnered SSO, and outsourcing. E.g O&G
companies converting IT support organization as stand alone
business turning users into customers. Business managers
act as interface between IT and business owners and
responsibility for all IT delivery and support. Moving to a
fully Shared service org. means outsourcing. Example
Talisman outsourced its back office select finance and
accounting processes to Accenture`s delivery center
in Bangalore, india,
10.
Increased wireless networking: It adds business value
by improving process quality, BI and regulatory compliance.
Wireless sensors feed continuous data to BI specialists who
analyze and report on the data back to internal and external
stakeholders. For example location based technology can
now determine the whereabouts of employees while
collecting the data on gas levls from multiple sources to

raise alarm or alert nearby workers. Marathon is using

wireless enabled gas detection system that helps
protect workers from hazardous environments, WIFI
and location based solutions combinmed with gas
detectors to monitor remotely incidents in location
previouslty were not suited for wirelss networks.
11.
Increased uses for Service Oriented Architecture: SOA
has developed in O&G in last 3 years, It replaces the typical
client server architecture with multiple levels of functionality
that include foundational applications ERP, a web
based services repository and a businesss process
management system. There are exceptions where
SOA is not appropriate example real time
communication from distributed control systems,
SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems.
Etc. it makes sense for business managers to design and
alter a software driven business process without specialized
software programming skills. SOA reduces cost and also
makes business nimble. Systems link business users`
requests with the right applications and relevant
functionality/systems, from which point web services
for the rest.
12.
More
integrated
operations:onshore+offshore

operational processing centers- standardized..deploy uniform

platforms, systems, procedures, across the world in global
delivery centers. CAPEX, OPEX reduction and accelerate
production with 24x7 delivery. Inc. data access, moving
personnel away from potential unsafe locations, operating
environments from field.
13.
Better
IT
security
for
industrial
control
systems..DCS(digitatl control systems), SCADA are no longer
isolated from outside networks..vulnerability increased.
Older SCADA and DCS systems are not secure lack lot of
security features.