Cloud-Based Data Management in Oil and Gas Fields: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunties

Abstract

Abstract Use of automation, control and information technology for creating automated workflows and real-time assets management in the petroleum industry has rapidly grown in recent years. This integration of automation and communication produces large amounts of data, especially with optical fiber-based sensor systems and the need for providing real-time controls and optimization based on data-driven predictive analytics. The transition to the intelligent paradigm opens up new opportunities but also poses a number of challenges. Currently, most organizations are struggling to reduce their computing cost through the means of virtualization. This demand of reducing the computing cost has led to the innovation of cloud data management technologies. Cloud computing offers better computing through improved utilization, reduced infrastructure and maintenance costs, and increased flexibility to help meet changing business requirements. This paper gives a complete overview of cloud data management systems and their usefulness. In addition, it highlights some of the general cloud data management technologies available in the market and describes some of the development trends. It also examines the current challenges and risks facing the cloud data management technology deployments and provides highlights on the business opportunities.