The Brazilian oil and gas market has undergone several transformations in recent years, becoming more competitive with several shippers and operators. In this scenario of continuous changes, increases in safety and operational efficiency are essential for a sustainable company that aims to position itself as the best logistics solution and market reference.
With this vision in mind, we redesigned the concept of integrated operations at Transpetro, combining operational expertise and technology.
The construction of an integrated logistics solution can be divided into three major moments: centralization, expansion and integration. The beginning of the process of centralizing operations was consolidated at the turn of the century and began to be used by several companies, not only in the oil and gas market. It presents itself as the safest and most efficient way to standardize the control and management of pipeline activities.
The concept, once limited to the operation of pipelines, has recently been expanded, and highlights the efficiency of the business. The gains are often underestimated, but are easily quantifiable.
The third stage, integration, is certainly the most complex. Restricting the concept to operational activity alone is a common misconception, because the business is directly affected by numerous factors, such as maintenance, reliability, quality, and measurement, which sometimes require more robust investments.
In this context, Transpetro introduced the National Center for Logistics Control (CNCL INTEGRA), uniting offshore and onshore activities. An integrated and efficient logistics solution, which includes the planning, scheduling, operation and management of the company's supply chain. Therefore, the initial concept, restricted to the centralization of pipeline operations, was expanded to cover all stages of the logistics chain.
Subsequently, we incorporated the National Ship Monitoring Center (CNAN) and the Machinery Diagnostics Center (CDM) into the same environment. This allowed monitoring the positioning, operation and performance of the ships in Transpetro's fleet in a centralized way. In addition, we are able to continuously monitor the conditions and maintenance status of the equipment and assets in operational units, and the quality of the product and volumes handled.
Such integration, from the use of technological platforms and combination of industrial automation and control systems and corporate operation and logistics systems, has transformed originally dispersed processes into an efficient and integrated chain.
This allowed us a complete logistical overview. In the same environment, we are able to monitor the exploration and production, pre-salt basins, sea transportation up to the waterway terminals, unloading and preparation, all the way to the pumps that bring the product to the refineries.
The times and movements are measured to allow continuous optimization. The process includes the flow of derivatives from refinery pipelines to distributors or terminals for cabotage, navigation and final delivery to the customers.
This increases efficiency, control and agility in decision making, which is a reference in our country.
Bruno Ebecken has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and an MBA in Business Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). He is currently the Executive Manager of INTEGRA and has 13 years of experience in operational management and logistics, and is an enthusiast in process optimization and application of sustainable technologies.