Level: Advanced
TCM Section(s)
7.3. Cost Estimating and Budgeting
11.3. Information Management
Venue: 2024 AACE International Conference & Expo
Abstract: Robotic process automation (RPA) is a rapidly evolving technology that has been widely adopted in various industries for its ability to automate repetitive and rule-based tasks. In the oil & gas industry, estimating is a critical function that involves predicting the cost of a project accurately for planning, funding, and project management purposes. Occasionally, estimator professionals are required to produce multiple types of estimates that are often repetitive and high volume such as onshore maintain potential funding estimates and annual capital program conceptual estimates. This paper presents two cases of RPA implementation in the Saudi Aramco oil and gas industry. The first one is related to the review, validation and endorsement of cost estimates for the onshore maintain potential funding process, and the second one is related to updating annual capital program cost estimates, due to changes in the initial and final execution schedule. The latter are very frequently requested from the estimating division. The implementation of RPA has led to increased productivity, reduced processing times, consistent and accurate estimate production, as well as minimizing the involvement of estimator professionals. The paper provides an overview of the RPA implementation process, the benefits realized, and the challenges faced during the implementation process.
TCM Section(s)
7.3. Cost Estimating and Budgeting
11.3. Information Management
Venue: 2024 AACE International Conference & Expo
Abstract: Robotic process automation (RPA) is a rapidly evolving technology that has been widely adopted in various industries for its ability to automate repetitive and rule-based tasks. In the oil & gas industry, estimating is a critical function that involves predicting the cost of a project accurately for planning, funding, and project management purposes. Occasionally, estimator professionals are required to produce multiple types of estimates that are often repetitive and high volume such as onshore maintain potential funding estimates and annual capital program conceptual estimates. This paper presents two cases of RPA implementation in the Saudi Aramco oil and gas industry. The first one is related to the review, validation and endorsement of cost estimates for the onshore maintain potential funding process, and the second one is related to updating annual capital program cost estimates, due to changes in the initial and final execution schedule. The latter are very frequently requested from the estimating division. The implementation of RPA has led to increased productivity, reduced processing times, consistent and accurate estimate production, as well as minimizing the involvement of estimator professionals. The paper provides an overview of the RPA implementation process, the benefits realized, and the challenges faced during the implementation process.