Shell has now signed an enterprise agreement with Kongsberg Digital for digital twin software to be deployed across its assets and capital projects, the company said on Aug. 28.

The Kognitwin Energy Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution will provide integration, visualization and analytics capabilities to Shell assets globally. The solution will be supplied through Kongsberg Digital’s cloud-native Kognitwin Energy dynamic digital twin service platform, which will integrate and contextualize real-time sensor data, historical data, engineering information and other transactional business data across a variety of data sources, enabling Shell to improve work processes and optimize facility performance through digitalization. When adopted, the solution will provide Shell with the ability to access its portfolio assets from anywhere, expanding the scope of remote operations.

“Shell is a frontrunner when it comes to the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies for the energy industry, and now they are looking to increase operational optimization and value creation through broad and deep digitalization of their asset portfolio,” Hege Skryseth, President of Kongsberg Digital, said. “They are a perfect partner for Kongsberg Digital, where we proudly invest in deep industrial solutions that turn digital value creation into reality. We are delighted to have this opportunity and confident that our approach, which combines deep industry domain and digital expertise with hybrid analytics, will be of great benefit to Shell.”

Leading up to the award, Shell had run a competitive tender process that consisted of several stages of competitive down-select steps. The final step of the evaluation was a competitive proof-of-concept, where Kongsberg Digital’s solution emerged as the leading solution.

In October 2019, Shell Norway and Kongsberg Digital entered a digitalization partnership to operationalize an advanced dynamic digital twin of the Nyhamna onshore gas plant facility. The solution has been in service since January 2020 and is continuously evolving through new product releases.

“Our collaboration with Kongsberg Digital in developing digital twins brings in a new era of visually interacting with data and models at the asset, equipment and component level,” Yuri Sebregts, CTO of Shell, said. “Digital twins drive efficiency by enabling remote operations, automation and significantly improved collaboration. It supports our front-line operations to better leverage insights from big data, transforming ways of working to unlock value and increase resilience in the changing business environment.”