Session: 11-10-02 Sustainability and Green Transition in Petroleum Industry

Submission Number: 157553

Advancing Sustainable Offshore Circular Economy in the Middle East: Pathways to Net-Zero and Role of Advanced Digital Technologies 

This study presents a sustainable solution for the offshore industry, focusing on the development of a circular economy for end-of-life assets. Current decommissioning practices often lack transparency and can lead to unsustainable outcomes, particularly regarding the substantial amounts of steel used in offshore structures. We introduce an AI-enabled approach that integrates engineering data, decommissioning best practices, and advanced digital technologies to track, trace, and optimize the entire decommissioning process. This ensures transparency, facilitates ESG compliance, and promotes the reuse and recycling of materials, particularly steel. By transitioning from a linear Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model to a Circular Cycle Analysis (CCA) framework, we emphasize the circularity of materials and minimize waste. This approach prioritizes recycling steel using electric arc furnaces, minimizing emissions while preserving material strength, resulting in "green" steel that can be reintroduced into the supply chain.

Our methodology combines a comprehensive literature review with a detailed case study of vessel decommissioning and steel recycling. We analyze the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed approach, demonstrating how AI and digital technologies can optimize each stage of the process, from initial dismantling to final smelting. The case study quantifies the potential CO2 savings achieved through steel recycling, highlighting the environmental benefits of the CCA framework. We provide a detailed breakdown of emissions across handling, transportation, and operations, using validated emission factors. Furthermore, we demonstrate how AI can further optimize these processes, leading to additional emission reductions and cost savings. The study showcases the journey of steel from a decommissioned vessel to its transformation into "green" steel, emphasizing the transparency and traceability enabled by our digital platform.

This AI-powered approach offers a scalable and sustainable solution for managing end-of-life offshore assets. It provides asset owners with a turnkey solution for meeting ESG targets, ensuring transparency in sourcing, and fostering competitive pricing. By maximizing resource recovery and minimizing environmental impact, this approach contributes significantly to the development of a sustainable offshore circular economy. The study concludes with recommendations for future research and development, emphasizing the potential of this approach to be expanded to other materials and assets, both offshore and onshore, driving further progress towards a net-zero future.

Presenting Author: Md Motiur Rahman Khalifa University of Science and Technology

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Rahman is an associate professor of Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He has been working in this university since 2010 and involved in teaching and research. He has over 100 publications (article and conference papers). Before he joined this university, he was a senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide, Australia.