Digital re-definery
July 18, 2019
July 18, 2019
Competitive pressure on refiners is growing in 2019—margins have generally been weaker, largely due to prolonged periods of maintenance and turnarounds (after years of high utilization), rising feedstock prices, heavy oil supply disruptions, and preparation for International Maritime Organization 2020.
Accenture's 2019 Digital Refining Survey shows that while digital continues to contribute to margin improvements, satisfaction around the impact of digital is static. Refiners continue to deploy digital primarily for improving production yields (digital investment is also largely focused in this area), yet they are finding it hard to scale digital for further improvements. There is evidence that refiners are now realizing that the next step is a stronger focus on culture and change management to enhance digital adoption and scaling in their businesses.
People changes are fundamental to transformation efforts to drive adoption of new technologies.
Five trends depict where refineries are on their digital journey.
Nearly 60% of respondents are investing “more or significantly more” in digital technologies.
Production planning and execution processes have benefited most from digital. Process and asset optimization and automation are earmarked for future investment.
Cost is no longer the top barrier to digital adoption. The next frontier is cultural change.
Fewer refiners are calling themselves “digitally mature.” IT/OT convergence and organizational challenges are limiting speed to maturity.
Though largely satisfied with results from digital investments, most refiners are looking to the wider ecosystem to scale and realize value.