Essay
Subject:
Computer Sciences and Information Technology
Topic:
Identify 2 technological advancement (2 Software & 2 Hardware) within the industry of Oil and Gas industry
Software and Hardware used in the oil and gas industry
Critical infrastructures are managed well using modern technologies. Technological advancement has led to an increase in the development of new software and hardware used in the oil and gas industry to improve efficiency and minimise costs. Hadoop and InfoSphere streams are examples of software used in managing the oil and gas industry.
Hadoop software
The software is used to manage a large amount of data in the oil and gas industry. Due to the complexity of the data that is used in oil and gas, it is not easy to convert into a relational format. The Hadoop which is IBM software helps in conversion of these data. The software is an open source and contains important tools used in large data manipulations. The software is intergraded to collect, analyse and store a large volume of data from oil and gas industry. It simplifies big tasks that could have taken much time and cost to manage. However, there are limitations of the software.
Limitations
Hadoop software is not suitable for managing small files. The software is designed to manage big data; therefore, managing small files is a challenge.
The software has a slow processing speed. Due to large data that is processed by the software, the processing speed reduces significantly. Data is processed in clusters that reduce the speed of processing.
The software only processes data that is arranged in batches, this might be a challenge in processing other data.
InfoSphere software
InfoSphere software is used in the oil and gas industry to analysed structured data from various relational databases. The software may also extend in analysing the unstructured data in cases where the databases cannot hold. InfoSphere normally operates on the server. The software analyses data from various formats with little limitations. It helps in simplifying the analysis that could be expensive to many companies. The software is also important in transforming data in various formats that can support modelling and simulation.
Limitations
The software is not suitable for processing unstructured data; it mainly relies on structured data from various databases.
There is always a failure of importation of metadata if some tools are not properly integrated.
The security of the software may be compromised because it is operated on the server.
Hardware
High-performance Computing (HPC) storage
The HPC storage is described as intelligent storage that is used to store a large volume of data in the oil and gas industries. The data stored is in terabytes. The system allows easy access to the data and easy interpretation including visualization which is important in decision making. The system thus increases reliability and availability of the data
Limitation
There is the possibility of data mixing due to large data involved.
The system is vulnerable to security threats such as entry of malicious codes.
It is costly to purchase and maintain the storage facility.
Graphics Processing Units
The graphics processing units have been harnessed to enhance the processing of intensive algorithms. The GPU is meant to handle complex tasks on the data in the oil and gas industries. The GPU sections work together to deliver the appropriate results within the shortest time possible. The GPU can be used to speed processes such as seismic processing within the shortest time. The GPU is also applied in processing simulation motion
Limitation
The system is complex to operate due to a large amount of data
It requires continuous training and maintenance
The GPU may be prone to security threats.
References
Brulé, M., 2013. Tapping the power of Big Data for the oil and gas industry. IBM Software white paper for petroleum industry.
Ebbers, M., Abdel-Gayed, A., Budhi, V.B., Dolot, F., Kamat, V., Picone, R. and Trevelin, J., 2013. Addressing Data Volume, Velocity, and Variety with IBM InfoSphere Streams V3. 0. IBM Redbooks.
