Logistics firm Peterson used its presence at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) to launch its new real-time tracking software to the offshore oil and gas industry.
The Aberdeen and Netherlands-based firm demonstrated is “intelligent” supply chain system, VOR, on its stand at the OTC Scottish pavilion.
Peterson believes VOR will deliver the cost reductions sought by an offshore oil and gas sector grappling with the oil price crash.
Director Murdo MacIver said the firm had invested a “significant” six-figure sum on the development of the supply chain tool, which takes its existing software products onto a global scale.
In the development of the product, Peterson acquired its technology parter Steamba, a Glasgow-based technology specialist last year. The Glasgow firm had been working with Peterson to develop its earlier product, Ecargo which offers a similar service in the South North Sea offering logistics operations software.
Mr MacIver said: “What we are looking to do is change the way the oil and gas industry looks at track and trace and visibility of equipment in their operations around the world.”
The company aims to sell the VOR product, pushing to get it adopted across the North Sea, as well as in emerging basins. The firm has recently opened a base in Trinidad, as well establishing operations in the Mediterranean and the Middle East in Qatar.
It is the second year the company has taken a stand at OTC. On Monday morning, Mr MacIver said the firms experience was “so far, so good”.
He added: “It is going to be an interesting week, an exciting week. We will see what the interest is in the new product. I think it will be useful for us.”
The collaboration with Steamba, which was only formed in 2010 has proved a fruitful combination with the logistics firm, whose roots stretch back to 1920 when it was a family-owned firm inspecting and transporting grain in the Netherlands.
Erwin Kooy, Peterson’s chief executive, said: “Working alongside the team at Streamba has shown us just what can be possible if we take the traditional supply chain model and create a far more modern and sophisticated way of handling the information that is vital to oil and gas operations worldwide.
“With pressure on the supply chain to deliver more for less, and the potential of a lower oil price over the longer term, we believe that VOR can play a vital role in the creation of a ‘new norm’ for the industry.”
Steven Calder of Streamba added: “We saw a fantastic opportunity for a real shift change in terms of the way the global energy supply chain interacts, that will be mutually beneficial for all. Championed by Peterson and the drive to create a real model for collaboration, we believe full adoption of more intelligent systems is a must for the industry.”