Why digital solutions are the future of Preventive Maintenance

Picture this: A refinery operating smoothly, everything seemingly under control. Then, a steam leak goes unnoticed. Ice builds up, and eventually, a chunk the size of a mini fridge falls down.

Fortunately, no one is injured. But the incident raises questions: “How did this happen? Why wasn’t it caught sooner? How can we prevent it next time?”

Next comes the solution: a Digital Preventive Maintenance Program.

Using advanced drone technology to capture the entire facility, photogrammetry, NDT and thermal data is then converted into exact 3D models. Logging in online, specialists can then conduct virtual identification, analysis and preventive reporting to target and avoid potential risks ahead of time.

This is the real-life incident shared by Courtland Penk, President of Osprey Integrity, in our recent webinar.

It’s a powerful example of how preventive maintenance strategies can not only reduce OT and exposure hours in high-risk environments, but also ensure that even the smallest hairline crack isn't missed.

Reactive vs. Preventive maintenance

For decades, maintenance teams have traditionally relied on manual observations, written reports, and historical engineering drawings, to understand on the condition assets.

However, these methods can be time-consuming and extend site shutdown periods, due to a reliance on abseiling/rope access, cranes, and heavy machinery. Additionally, these manual observations may miss critical defects in hard-to-reach or hazardous zones, such as the top of a flare.

Today, 3D software solutions like Trendspek are supporting the evolving O&G industry through safer, scalable, and repeatable asset management and monitoring.

Courtland Penk, President at Osprey Integrity says:

“To just drop a pin in a 2D map only tells half the story. To make corrective actions, we need to know what it’s like vertically as well. That’s where 3D solutions maximise value. It's not just about data and showing positional information, it's also about trying to alleviate some of the paperwork in the long run."