Neste, the world's leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), faced a common challenge: their technical drawings and asset data were disconnected. Like many companies that have been creating drawings for years, they found that their old methods couldn't keep up with modern data needs. This lack of integration made it difficult to manage assets efficiently. If this sounds familiar, your organisation may be facing a similar challenge. Avineon Tensing inventoried all of Neste's legacy drawings using FME. Read more details about this project in this blog.
A New Approach to an Old Problem
Neste knew their complex data challenge required a powerful solution. They identified FME as the ideal tool for the job, but they also recognised the need for specialist expertise to implement it correctly. That's where Avineon Tensing came in. Neste partnered with our team, trusting our deep knowledge of FME to help them tackle this complex data integration project.
Intelligent Data Handling
To tackle this project, our first step was to map Neste's legacy data, a mix of offline drawings, scanned photographs, and files from AutoCAD and MicroStation. Using FME, we were able to process about 80% of this data, automatically assigning properties to objects and lines that were essential for Neste's asset management.
The remaining 20% required a more hands-on approach. This data included assets for which only a photograph was available, information that hadn't been created in a technical drawing programme. Our expert Data Engineers took on this extensive manual task, handling the data cost-effectively.
This project involved processing half a century's worth of drawings, some dating back to the 1970s. As you can imagine, the work instructions for draftsmen have changed dramatically over that time. This is a common situation for any organisation with long-standing asset management processes, and it's a perfect example of why an intelligent, modern approach to data is so crucial.
The Solution: A Smarter Way Forward
The project, which ran from November 2022 to January 2023, delivered a comprehensive inventory of Neste's data. The final result wasn't just a cleaned-up dataset; it was a clear picture of what was missing. FME, coupled with our consultancy skills was able to solve many of the minor data quality issues, such as typos. Whilst some data fields remained empty, Neste now had a precise understanding of which asset data was unavailable. This allowed them to assign specific specialists with the right expertise to find this missing information. Once this final piece of the puzzle is complete, Neste will be able to update their asset management system with a full and accurate set of data.
A Smart Solution for the Petrochemical Sector
For organisations in the petrochemical sector, efficient asset management is a critical issue. The sheer size and complexity of their networks mean that even small process improvements can lead to significant gains. This is where FME shines. By enabling smart data integration, FME helps these companies achieve a higher, more efficient level of asset management. It's a powerful tool for turning old data challenges into new opportunities.
