Client
National Oilwell Varco - NOV
Project Overview
Xala Technologies was brought on board by NOV to enhance their digital infrastructure and operational efficiency by developing modern web applications that seamlessly integrated with NOV's existing systems. The project’s scope included the integration of C++ applications, robotic systems for pipe automation, and specialized technologies such as rig systems used for oil drilling. Additionally, the project involved integration with WebView2 and advanced systems used on ships for offshore oil exploration and drilling.
NOV needed a solution that could not only provide robust front-end and back-end support but also integrate with mission-critical systems in real time, enabling remote monitoring, control, and automation of complex drilling operations.
Led by Ibrahim Rahmani, the Xala Technologies team provided full-stack development, system integration, and automation solutions for NOV. The project focused on creating comprehensive web applications using .NET Core, Angular, and TypeScript, while also integrating legacy systems, C++ applications, and robotic automation for pipe handling in the oil and gas sector.
NOV needed a solution that could not only provide robust front-end and back-end support but also integrate with mission-critical systems in real time, enabling remote monitoring, control, and automation of complex drilling operations.
Led by Ibrahim Rahmani, the Xala Technologies team provided full-stack development, system integration, and automation solutions for NOV. The project focused on creating comprehensive web applications using .NET Core, Angular, and TypeScript, while also integrating legacy systems, C++ applications, and robotic automation for pipe handling in the oil and gas sector.
Location
Kristiansand / Asker
Industry
Oil and Gas Technology
Period
02/2024 - 10/2024
Challenges Faced
Integration of Legacy and Modern Systems:
NOV’s existing infrastructure included a wide variety of systems, from C++ applications used in their robotic systems to proprietary rig technologies. Integrating these into a new, modern web application posed a significant challenge, as the web platform had to interface seamlessly with legacy systems and maintain optimal performance.
Real-Time Data Exchange and Automation:
The project required the development of a solution that could interact with robotic machines used for pipe automation in real-time. This demanded the web application to be capable of sending and receiving data instantly and to trigger automation commands reliably, while handling significant amounts of data from sensors and controllers.
Cross-Platform Compatibility for Offshore Systems:
NOV also needed the application to work seamlessly across platforms, including ships used for offshore drilling operations. Integrating WebView2 allowed NOV to visualize and control their drilling processes through a user-friendly interface that could be accessed remotely by engineers and field operators.
Scalability and Performance Optimization:
Given NOV’s global operations and the critical nature of their business, the solution needed to be highly scalable and perform well under demanding conditions. The system had to manage a large volume of users, process real-time data, and handle complex automation tasks efficiently.
NOV’s existing infrastructure included a wide variety of systems, from C++ applications used in their robotic systems to proprietary rig technologies. Integrating these into a new, modern web application posed a significant challenge, as the web platform had to interface seamlessly with legacy systems and maintain optimal performance.
Real-Time Data Exchange and Automation:
The project required the development of a solution that could interact with robotic machines used for pipe automation in real-time. This demanded the web application to be capable of sending and receiving data instantly and to trigger automation commands reliably, while handling significant amounts of data from sensors and controllers.
Cross-Platform Compatibility for Offshore Systems:
NOV also needed the application to work seamlessly across platforms, including ships used for offshore drilling operations. Integrating WebView2 allowed NOV to visualize and control their drilling processes through a user-friendly interface that could be accessed remotely by engineers and field operators.
Scalability and Performance Optimization:
Given NOV’s global operations and the critical nature of their business, the solution needed to be highly scalable and perform well under demanding conditions. The system had to manage a large volume of users, process real-time data, and handle complex automation tasks efficiently.
Solutions Provided
Full-Stack Development with .NET Core, Angular, and TypeScript:
Xala Technologies provided full-stack development using .NET Core for the backend, ensuring high performance and scalability. Angular and TypeScript were chosen for the frontend to create a fast, responsive user interface that would be easy to maintain and expand as NOV’s needs evolved.
Integration with C++ Applications and Robotic Systems:
A key aspect of the project was integrating the web application with C++ applications that controlled NOV’s robotic machines and rig systems. This involved creating a communication layer that allowed the web application to send commands to the robotic systems in real-time, enabling automation of pipe handling processes.
WebView2 for Offshore Operations:
By integrating WebView2, the application allowed NOV to interface with ships used in offshore drilling operations. This enabled real-time visualization of drilling operations, data monitoring, and control through a web-based interface that could be accessed remotely, improving the safety and efficiency of these critical operations.
Automation and Real-Time Data Handling:
The Xala Technologies team implemented real-time data handling capabilities, ensuring that the web application could process data from sensors and controllers in NOV’s rig technologies and trigger automation workflows without delays. This improved the overall efficiency of the drilling process and reduced operational risks.
Xala Technologies provided full-stack development using .NET Core for the backend, ensuring high performance and scalability. Angular and TypeScript were chosen for the frontend to create a fast, responsive user interface that would be easy to maintain and expand as NOV’s needs evolved.
Integration with C++ Applications and Robotic Systems:
A key aspect of the project was integrating the web application with C++ applications that controlled NOV’s robotic machines and rig systems. This involved creating a communication layer that allowed the web application to send commands to the robotic systems in real-time, enabling automation of pipe handling processes.
WebView2 for Offshore Operations:
By integrating WebView2, the application allowed NOV to interface with ships used in offshore drilling operations. This enabled real-time visualization of drilling operations, data monitoring, and control through a web-based interface that could be accessed remotely, improving the safety and efficiency of these critical operations.
Automation and Real-Time Data Handling:
The Xala Technologies team implemented real-time data handling capabilities, ensuring that the web application could process data from sensors and controllers in NOV’s rig technologies and trigger automation workflows without delays. This improved the overall efficiency of the drilling process and reduced operational risks.
Results Achieved
Seamless Integration of Legacy Systems and New Technologies:
The successful integration of C++ applications, robotic systems, and other specialized platforms ensured that NOV could continue to use their existing infrastructure while benefiting from modern web technologies. The unified platform reduced operational silos and improved workflow efficiency.
Enhanced Automation and Efficiency:
Through the integration of robotic systems and rig technologies, NOV was able to automate critical operations in pipe handling and drilling, which improved operational safety, precision, and overall speed. This significantly reduced manual intervention and minimized errors.
Real-Time Control and Remote Monitoring:
The web application enabled NOV to monitor and control their drilling operations in real time, providing engineers and operators with a powerful tool to manage complex processes remotely. This improved decision-making, reduced downtime, and allowed NOV to respond quickly to any operational issues.
Scalability and Performance Improvements:
The use of .NET Core for backend development ensured that the system was scalable, allowing NOV to handle growing data demands and user traffic without compromising on performance. The application was optimized for both offshore and onshore operations, making it versatile across NOV’s various business units.
The successful integration of C++ applications, robotic systems, and other specialized platforms ensured that NOV could continue to use their existing infrastructure while benefiting from modern web technologies. The unified platform reduced operational silos and improved workflow efficiency.
Enhanced Automation and Efficiency:
Through the integration of robotic systems and rig technologies, NOV was able to automate critical operations in pipe handling and drilling, which improved operational safety, precision, and overall speed. This significantly reduced manual intervention and minimized errors.
Real-Time Control and Remote Monitoring:
The web application enabled NOV to monitor and control their drilling operations in real time, providing engineers and operators with a powerful tool to manage complex processes remotely. This improved decision-making, reduced downtime, and allowed NOV to respond quickly to any operational issues.
Scalability and Performance Improvements:
The use of .NET Core for backend development ensured that the system was scalable, allowing NOV to handle growing data demands and user traffic without compromising on performance. The application was optimized for both offshore and onshore operations, making it versatile across NOV’s various business units.
Lessons Learned
Balancing Legacy Systems with Modern Technology:
Integrating modern web applications with legacy C++ systems and industrial technologies required careful planning and a deep understanding of both old and new platforms. Ensuring compatibility and performance optimization was key to the project's success.
Real-Time Automation is a Game-Changer:
Implementing real-time automation allowed NOV to achieve significant improvements in efficiency and safety. The ability to control complex robotic systems remotely through a web interface highlighted the transformative potential of modern technology in industrial applications.
Importance of Cross-Functional Teamwork:
Collaborating with NOV’s internal teams, including engineers and IT staff, was crucial in understanding the intricacies of their systems and ensuring that the solution met their specific operational needs. Effective communication across departments helped bridge the gap between software development and industrial operations.
Integrating modern web applications with legacy C++ systems and industrial technologies required careful planning and a deep understanding of both old and new platforms. Ensuring compatibility and performance optimization was key to the project's success.
Real-Time Automation is a Game-Changer:
Implementing real-time automation allowed NOV to achieve significant improvements in efficiency and safety. The ability to control complex robotic systems remotely through a web interface highlighted the transformative potential of modern technology in industrial applications.
Importance of Cross-Functional Teamwork:
Collaborating with NOV’s internal teams, including engineers and IT staff, was crucial in understanding the intricacies of their systems and ensuring that the solution met their specific operational needs. Effective communication across departments helped bridge the gap between software development and industrial operations.
Experience Gained
Working on this project with NOV provided Xala Technologies with valuable experience in:
Integration of Industrial Technologies:
We gained hands-on experience in integrating industrial systems such as robotic machines, C++ applications, and rig technologies with modern web platforms.
Real-Time Automation and Control:
Developing real-time automation workflows for complex processes in the oil and gas sector deepened our expertise in handling high-stakes, mission-critical applications.
Cross-Platform Development:
The integration of WebView2 for offshore operations gave us insight into developing cross-platform applications that could be used in specialized environments like ships involved in oil drilling.
Integration of Industrial Technologies:
We gained hands-on experience in integrating industrial systems such as robotic machines, C++ applications, and rig technologies with modern web platforms.
Real-Time Automation and Control:
Developing real-time automation workflows for complex processes in the oil and gas sector deepened our expertise in handling high-stakes, mission-critical applications.
Cross-Platform Development:
The integration of WebView2 for offshore operations gave us insight into developing cross-platform applications that could be used in specialized environments like ships involved in oil drilling.
Conclusion
Xala Technologies successfully delivered a cutting-edge solution for NOV, combining full-stack web development with advanced system integration for real-time automation and control. The project not only improved operational efficiency but also future-proofed NOV’s applications by integrating legacy and modern systems into a unified platform. By automating key drilling processes and enabling real-time remote monitoring, Xala Technologies helped NOV optimize safety, performance, and scalability across their operations. This case stands as a testament to Xala’s expertise in full-stack development, industrial integration, and delivering high-value solutions in complex sectors like oil and gas.
The Xala Technologies team developed and maintained web applications for NOV using .NET Core, Angular, and TypeScript. We integrated C++ applications, robotic machines, and rig technologies for pipe automation, along with WebView2 and other systems used in oil digging operations.