In the fast-evolving energy sector, Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia has embarked on a pioneering digital transformation journey, harnessing the capabilities of RFID technology to revolutionize its maintenance management system. The company faced significant operational hurdles, characterised by reliance on manual maintenance procedures that were both time-consuming and error-prone. Technicians found themselves burdened not just with equipment upkeep but also extensive, inefficient documentation that stymied timely decision-making and contributed to costly equipment failures.
This predicament was further compounded by a low execution rate of planned maintenance tasks, due largely to limited human resources and the overwhelming volume of work. Such inefficiencies bore hefty financial consequences, as high rates of nonproductive time (NPT) hampered productivity and increased costs.
A rigorous root cause analysis identified key issues: a 57% contribution from technological gaps, 31% from inefficient processes, 7% from data management flaws, and 5% from human factors such as insufficient training and data entry errors. The most pressing challenge was the outdated, fragmented data processing and storage systems, which prevented effective real-time monitoring and data-driven insights.
To address these issues, Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia deployed a comprehensive RFID-based digital maintenance system (DMS) grounded in a reliability-centred maintenance (RCM) strategy. By affixing RFID tags to critical equipment, the maintenance workforce could utilise handheld devices to scan and instantly upload data to a centralised, real-time accessible database. This innovation eradicated the need for manual data entry, drastically reduced errors, and enhanced record accuracy. Technicians and decision-makers could readily access maintenance histories, track equipment performance, and retrieve documentation via web and mobile platforms, fostering transparency and timely maintenance action.
The rollout of the DMS followed a phased approach, starting with user interface and experience design, followed by technological integration and hardware procurement, and culminating in pilot testing across four drilling rigs. Full deployment was accompanied by user training and rigorous system evaluations to ensure seamless integration with existing operational infrastructure.
Beyond fundamental improvements in data capture and accessibility, the system offers automated scheduling to uphold maintenance timeliness and digital documentation to streamline record-keeping. Crucially, the integration of digital twin technology provides dynamic virtual models of physical assets, enabling live monitoring, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance. This proactive framework facilitates anticipating and resolving issues before they escalate, a major leap in operational foresight.
The results speak volumes. Planned maintenance compliance soared to 97%, while documentation processing time shrank by 75%. Major equipment failures have been eliminated since implementation, driving a 36% reduction in NPT-related costs. These gains translate into enhanced reliability, productivity, and profitability. Moreover, the DMS has significantly bolstered health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards. Automated safety tracking enhances regulatory compliance, while proactive hazard identification fosters a safety-first culture and mitigates risks. Employee training now extends beyond technical use of the system to instilling safety consciousness, thereby reducing errors and encouraging prompt incident reporting.
Pertamina’s journey aligns with broader industry trends, where RFID technology is increasingly recognised as a critical enabler of predictive maintenance and operational excellence. Across oil and gas sectors globally, RFID facilitates real-time asset tracking, extends equipment longevity by early wear detection, and supports cost-effective maintenance strategies. The technology’s ability to automate data collection reduces downtime and human error, while improving compliance with regulatory norms. Rugged RFID tags resilient to harsh environments further ensure reliability even in demanding offshore drilling conditions.
Industry analyses reinforce how RFID transforms asset management and inventory control, enhances safety monitoring, and offers powerful data analytics for informed decision-making. The growing adoption of digital twins complements RFID’s benefits, allowing companies to simulate various maintenance scenarios and optimise resource allocation.
Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia’s digital transformation initiative exemplifies how integrating RFID and advanced digital tools can redefine maintenance management, balancing operational efficiency with stringent safety imperatives. The company views this transformation not as an endpoint but a foundation for continuous innovation — looking ahead to leveraging AI and advanced analytics to further elevate maintenance precision and operational agility.
Ultimately, the compelling success of this RFID-based digital maintenance system offers a blueprint for other organisations seeking to improve maintenance outcomes, reduce nonproductive time, and enhance health and safety compliance in the energy sector and beyond. As the challenges of maintaining increasingly complex assets grow, such technological integration will be vital for sustaining productivity and safety in the years ahead.
Source: Noah Wire Services
