Oil and gas business process transformation using low-code/no-code technology

Today’s business environment is volatile, and oil and gas companies need process capabilities to react rapidly to change. They must enhance the integration of key business dimensions: people, processes, data, and technology. A low-code/no-code platform enables oil and gas companies to remain competitive and transform their operations as needed, improving the reliability and availability of their assets while reducing costs.

Energy companies often deal with large, sprawling projects that involve many stakeholders in different departments and regions. Slow processes and communication can easily sap productivity and eat into profits. Low-code/no-code platforms can streamline the entire oil and gas value chain—from upstream operations to marketing and retail. Energy companies achieve agility with process-centric thinking and boost their revenues.

An introduction to low-code/no-code solutions

Transmitting, extracting, and refining oil and gas is a complex process. Low-code and no-code platforms help simplify this process. These development platforms empower citizen developers to build applications that automate and streamline operations.

Low-code and no-code technologies are catalysts for digital transformation because they are faster and more intuitive than traditional development technologies. Low-code platforms require basic coding skills, while no-code platforms need no coding knowledge.

Low-code/no-code development platforms provide many benefits to oil and gas companies. They accelerate application development, reduce reliance on IT resources, and enhance business agility. Companies can respond quickly to changes in the marketplace and maximize opportunities. 

Business process challenges in the oil and gas industry

Complex workflows

Complex workflows require more resources and drive up costs. And if done manually, they waste a lot of time. Inefficient workflows can drive up prices and operating costs for energy companies and customers. A low-code/no-code platform helps oil and gas companies avoid productivity pitfalls and increase efficiencies. It becomes easier to collect data and gain insights into processes. The platform provides baseline performance consistency, making inefficiencies obvious and revealing which workflow parts require attention.

Siloed systems

A study by ARC Advisory Group that surveyed performance management professionals in the oil and gas industry revealed that disparate systems are to blame for poor collaboration. The professionals surveyed said they spent up to 75 percent of their workday manually collecting data from siloed systems and applications. This is because oil refineries and processing plants use different software solutions which are disconnected or poorly integrated.

Many of the siloed systems measuring fluids, controlling processes, and performing other key functions lack communication features, so teams have no idea when maintenance is due or when problems occur. A low-code/no-code platform allows users to communicate and set up maintenance alerts, keeping their plants productive, efficient, and secure. Workers can easily access information, so there’s tighter control over processes.

Poor data management

Data is the heart of any business. It powers day-to-day operations and helps management make informed decisions that grow the company. But if badly managed, data can slow down operations and make decision-making difficult. Poor data management can make a company susceptible to security breaches and other cyber threats. An energy company may miss opportunities and fail to become more competitive.

The 2021 Colonial Pipeline attack made it clear that the energy industry needs stronger security measures. The hack wreaked havoc on the East Coast power market. A low-code/no-code platform can help oil and gas companies secure their data better. It improves visibility, giving a company a clearer picture of its operations and the data circulating through workflows. It becomes easier to spot suspicious activity and secure digital channels effectively.

Poor regulatory compliance

Processes such as NERC CIP incident management, inspections, and transmission switching and isolation are critical and must comply with set regulations. But overworked employees can capture data incorrectly and make costly mistakes. A low-code/no-code solution can provide standard forms and questionnaires that enhance compliance data capture and reporting.

Compliance management is important for oil and gas companies because the sector’s compliance mandates are standardized and regulated. Energy companies that want to future-proof themselves must have an efficient and streamlined compliance management process. Low-code and no-code solutions can help them stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

The benefits of low-code/no-code development

Streamlined energy and utilities inspections
In the oil and gas industry, inspections must be carried out frequently. Different departments must collaborate to ensure each inspection is performed accurately. Outdated spreadsheets and paperwork make inspections complex, and projects may get delayed.

Low-code and no-code tools allow energy auditors to streamline and modernize inspection processes. Operations run smoothly, and inspection costs are reduced. This boosts efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction.

Health and safety

Subject matter experts in the oil and gas industry can use low-code/no-code tools to develop EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) apps. These apps can minimize accidents that may halt operations or cause unnecessary delays. An incident reporting app can allow employees to report risks or work-related issues and upload videos or images. Supervisors and managers then use the information to come up with the right solutions. This increases incident resolution speed.

Accelerated application development

Many projects in the energy industry can be simplified with low-code and no-code. Business users can gather data, map processes, and deploy applications that make their work more efficient. They don’t have to write complex code; they simply drag and drop visual models to build applications with modern user interfaces, data, integrations, and logic.

Apps get into production much faster, and organizational efficiency and productivity increase. No-code and low-code tools enhance energy companies’ problem-solving capabilities through rapid application deployment.

Reduced reliance on IT

In many organizations, employees rely on the IT team to build new solutions. But IT professionals are usually overwhelmed and can’t build new solutions as fast as needed. Low-code and no-code tools take the pressure off IT and empower business users to build the apps they need with IT oversight. The platforms boost collaboration between business and IT teams. Companies launch new applications within a shorter time and implement technological change.

Enhanced agility in responding to business needs

Technology advances daily, driving rapid change in a volatile and complex business world. Energy companies must be agile enough to adapt. The ability to adapt to change internally and externally helps oil and gas companies maintain a competitive advantage while remaining operationally efficient and cost-effective. Low-code and no-code applications can help companies make the most of new opportunities and overcome business challenges brought about by change.

Use cases for low-code/no-code solutions in the oil and gas sector

Workflow automation

Workflow automation in oil and gas helps companies keep costs down by carrying out routine tasks quickly and accurately. And the scope of workflow automation goes beyond deploying digital tools. When work is automated on a single platform, an organization can discover new opportunities, learn, and grow to meet business objectives. In upstream oil and gas operations, efficiency is an endless pursuit. Automated workflows streamline most processes and eliminate time wastage.

Data management

Data management in oil and gas helps minimize costly errors. Standardized processes and policies ensure data is used to make informed decisions across the organization. An oil and gas company with reliable, up-to-date data can respond more efficiently to market changes and customer needs. Workers easily input and update useful data that helps them to track projects.

Compliance management

Noncompliance may result in loss of certification, fines, and even security breaches. Compliance management enables a company to keep abreast of changes and updates, preventing business disruption. With a low-code/no-code platform, employees can build applications that capture compliance data and send alerts about compliance certificate renewals. They can access the information from anywhere and confirm project compliance.

Maintenance and inspection management

Inspections and maintenance are common in the oil and gas sector. Digital project management solutions such as task lists make the two procedures complex and costly. Low-code/no-code solutions streamline inspection and maintenance processes greatly. Workers in the field and office can collaborate, increasing efficiency and productivity.

Asset tracking

Shipment delays in the oil and gas sector often lead to project delays. To prevent this, employees must be able to monitor and manage facilities, sites, and the energy assets they rely upon. This ensures the assets and sites operate as expected. Efficiency and productivity increase, and energy costs go down. Employees can create an online asset repository and manage equipment through pre-configured preventive maintenance schedules. This does away with emergency repairs and cuts down operational costs.

Supply chain optimization

Most large enterprises—like UPS and Amazon—focus on technology enhancements to optimize their supply chain. New technologies can fine-tune shipping, transportation, and logistics to meet customer demand and improve profitability. Low-code and no-code technologies offer new, creative ways to optimize the supply chain by fostering agility during disruptions and addressing the demand for sustainable practices. 

Key considerations for implementing low-code/no-code solutions

• The low-code/no-code platform: Look for specific capabilities in the low-code platform that suit your organizational needs and goals.
• Use cases: Be clear about the use cases you will address. Most non-technical employees build applications for data extraction, centralized data entry, and workflow automation.
• Integrations: Choose a low-code platform that integrates with other applications to boost efficiency. You won't have to check compatibility for every software.
• Change management: This will help employees transition well to using the low-code/no-code platform. Involve them in the changes so they can adjust quickly.

Successful case studies

Premier Oil enhanced efficiency and safety compliance with low-code

A few years ago, Premier Oil had a complex and inefficient document management system it wanted to get rid of. The company decided to use a low-code platform to automate the generation of forms and documents. Notifications, tracking, and approval features enhanced the process. The company also developed a mobile app that gives remote workers access to company documents.

Shell improved energy efficiency with low-code/no-code  

Shell engineers in the Netherlands used low-code/no-code technology to improve their facility’s energy efficiency. They first visualized and drew new insights about the facility which is powered by furnaces. The furnaces have to be frequently tuned and optimized and draw a lot of energy. The engineers automated the process and optimized the furnaces to save energy.

Kissflow – the best low-code/ no-code platform

Low-code and no-code technologies accelerate application development for oil and gas companies. Workers develop and deploy custom solutions to address operational challenges and take pressure off IT.
The technologies also boost business agility by enabling quick application updates and iterations as business needs evolve. Many companies use Kissflow Low Code and Kissflow No Code to streamline operations. Sign up for a free trial today and boost your organizational efficiency and productivity.