Designing a Digital Transformation Model in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc., Department of Industrial and Technology Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran,

2 Assistant Prof., Department of Industrial and Technology Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran,

10.22059/imj.2024.374051.1008139

Abstract

Objective
This study focuses on designing a digital transformation model for the offshore oil and gas industry in Iran to be utilized in the strategic planning and policy-making process in the industry. While applying digital achievements and novelties in the oil and gas industry is not new, employing digital transformation in this sector is relatively new. Digital transformation, when implemented in the Iranian offshore oil and gas industry, helps the sector become a world leader, therefore benefiting from all the benefits that come along with digital achievements.
 
Methods
This research adopts a qualitative approach and utilizes the grounded theory research strategy. The data gathered from interviews with industry experts and documentation and reports concerning digital transformation, especially in the oil and gas industry, helped the researchers construct a comprehensive model. Through the grounded theory approach, the study could design a model of digital transformation in the offshore oil and gas industry of Iran, including six main elements: phenomenon-centered, consequences, causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, and strategies.
 
Results
One of the most notable instances of phenomenon-based digital transformation in the offshore oil and gas industry involves using digital technology tools for data-driven decision-making, consistency in industry decisions, and improving operational efficiency and productivity of personnel and equipment. Furthermore, among the most effective strategies to achieve this goal at the organizational level, stand cooperation with various bodies such as reputable information technology and communications companies, universities, and active startups in the digital technology sector. Also, promoting an organizational culture based on the adoption of digital technologies at industry and national levels via establishing stringent environmental and safety regulations for personnel who work on offshore platforms and supporting investment in digital transformation in the oil and gas industry can help with reaching the set targets.
 
Conclusion
The key consequences of digital transformation in the offshore oil and gas industry at the organizational level include increased efficiency in organizations active in the offshore oil and gas industry, increased accuracy and speed in decision-making based on data analysis, and the possibility of proactive, targeted maintenance and cost-saving in organizations. Digital transformation in this industry can lead to consequences such as increased oil recovery factor from offshore oil reservoirs, reduced environmental risks in marine environments, and improved performance in the offshore oil and gas industry at the industry and national levels.

Keywords

Main Subjects


 
Berge, J. (2018). Digital transformation and IoT for oil and gas production. In Offshore Technology Conference. OnePetro.
Branca, T. A., Fornai, B., Colla, V., Murri, M. M., Streppa, E. & Schröder, A. J. (2020). Current and future aspects of the digital transformation in the European Steel Industry. Matériaux & Techniques, 108 (5-6), 508.
Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D. (2005). Mixed methods research: Developments, debates, and dilemma (pp. 315-326). Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Feliciano-Cestero, M.M., Ameen, N., Kotabe, M., Paul, J. & Signoret, M. (2023). Is digital transformation threatened? A systematic literature review of the factors influencing firms’ digital transformation and internationalization. Journal of Business Research, 157, 113546.
Fernandez-Vidal, J., Gonzalez, R., Gasco, J. & Llopis, J. (2022). Digitalization and corporate transformation: The case of European oil & gas firms. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 174, 121293.
Firouzbakht, E. & Rezaeian, A. (2023). Analyzing the barriers of digital transformation in the project-based organizations of Iran's oil and gas industries. Journal of Management Improvement, 16 (4), 94-124. (in Persian)
Flaksman, A. S., Kokurin, D. I., Khodzhaev, D. K., Ekaterinovskaya, M. A., Orusova, O. V. & Vlasov, A. V. (2020, December). Assessment of prospects and directions of digital transformation of oil and gas companies. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 976, No. 1, p. 012036). IOP Publishing.‏
Ghelichkhani, M., Samadi Moghadam, Y. & Fathi Hafashjani, K. (2021). Identifying Main Dimensions of Digital Transformation Maturity at Industrial Organizations through Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Technology Development Management, 8 (4), 11-47. (in Persian)
Hajiakhoondi, E., Hashemzadeh Khorasgani, Gh. & Boushehri, A. (2020). Identify the Major Factors Affecting the Success of Open Innovation in the Digital Knowledge-based Business Ecosystem. Industrial Management Journal, 12 (2), 344-372. (in Persian)
Hanelt, A., Piccinini, E., Gregory, R. W., Hildebrandt, B. & Kolbe, L. M. (2015). Digital Transformation of Primarily Physical Industries-Exploring the Impact of Digital Trends on Business Models of Automobile Manufacturers. Wirtschaftsinformatik, 88 (3-5), 1313 327.‏
Hinings, B., Gegenhuber, T., & Greenwood, R. (2018). Digital innovation and transformation: An institutional perspective. Information and Organization, 28(1), 52-61.
Hudson, J. )2012(. Technology Focus: Intelligent Fields Technology. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 64, 98. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/0512-0098-JPT
International Energy Outlook 2016, ReportNumber: DOE/EIA0484 (2016)
Lammers, T., Tomidei, L., & Regattieri, A. (2018, August). What causes companies to transform digitally? An overview of drivers for Australian key industries. In 2018 Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET) (pp.1-8). IEEE.‏
Li, D., Liang, Z., Tell, F. & Xue, L. (2021). Sectoral systems of innovation in the era of the fourth industrial revolution: an introduction to the special section. Industrial and Corporate Change, 30(1), 123-135.‏
Liere-Netheler, K., Packmohr, S. & Vogelsang, K. (2018, January). Drivers of Digital Transformation in Manufacturing. Proceedings of the 51st Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.‏
Mohaghar, A., Safari, H., Moein Najaf Abadi, F. (2022). Designing Organizational Excellence Methodology for Iran’s Oil Industry. Industrial Management Journal. 13 (3), 370-390. (in Persian)
Parshall, J. (2017). After Years, ‘Big Crew Change’ Has Passed, But Learning, Training Challenges Remain. Journal of Petroleum Technology, June 28.
Radsaeed, J., Vedadi, A., Haghighat Monfared, J. (2022). The drivers and obstacles of open digital innovation in the Iranian banking industry. Innovation Management Journal, 11 (3), 31-62. (in Persian)
Rezaeian, N., Razavi, M., R., Heidary Dahooi, J., Zamani Moghadam, A. (2022). Providing a Framework for Identifying and Prioritizing Tools and Strategies to Support Domestic Suppliers (Case Study: Iranian Gas Industry). Industrial Management Journal, 14 (1), 1-26. (in Persian)
Salehipour Bavarsad, S., Kazem Pourian, S. (2021). Unveiling a New Roadmap for Digital Transformation. Science and Technology Policy Letter, 11 (1), 5-17. (in Persian)
Samylovskaya, E., Makhovikov, A., Lutonin, A., Medvedev, D. & Kudryavtseva, R.E. (2022). Digital technologies in arctic oil and gas resources extraction: global trends and Russian experience. Resources, 11(3), 29.
Sheveleva, A., Tyaglov, S. & Khaiter, P. (2021). Digital transformation strategies of oil and gas companies: preparing for the fourth industrial revolution. Digital strategies in a global market: navigating the fourth industrial revolution, pp.157-171.
Tajarloo, A., Ansari, M., Divandari, A. & Keimasi, M. (2022). Designing a Framework of New Product Development for Digital Banking: A Case Study of Bank Mellat. Industrial Management Journal, 13 (4), 559-579. (in Persian)
Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., Fabian, N. & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122, 889-901.
World Economic Forum (2022). Available at: https://www.weforum.org/publications/digital-transformation-of industries/
Yang, W., Liu, J., Li, L., Zhou, Q. & Ji, L. (2021). How could policies facilitate the digital transformation of the innovation ecosystem: a multiagent model. Complexity, 3, 1-19.‏
Yoo, Y., Henfridsson, O. & Lyytinen, K. (2010). Research commentary—the new organizing logic of digital innovation: an agenda for information systems research. Information systems research, 21(4), 724-735.‏
Zeynalli, A., Butdayev, R. & Salmanov, V. (2019, October). Digital transformation in the oil and gas industry. In SPE Annual Caspian Technical Conference. OnePetro.‏