End User Interview to Shells assets , we found the same thing . Many items are never used and are actually wasted .” “ Maintaining large inventories buys us a false sense of security because we think those items are available and ready to be deployed . However , the reality is that these materials must be correctly preserved to ensure they are fit for service when you need them , which may be years later , if ever .”
Additive manufacturing
“ Additive manufacturing ( AM ) caught my attention because I knew Shell had inhouse skills for this technology . I wanted to learn how AM could change the paradigm of long lead times that we experience . Using this technology , we can shorten sourcing times by at least 75 %. That can entirely transform how we buy and use material in Shell .” “ I quickly became interested in working with a digital inventory , which I believe is necessary for us to operate responsibly while also creating supply chain resilience . It presents the opportunity for the various global assets to create new jobs and opportunities . That excites me because it means not only taking advantage of this technology but also delivering a multitude of benefits through the use of that technology to local communities .” A key principle in Shell ’ s AM strategy is to work with local service providers when available to print spare parts close to their operations . Actually , the usecases for 3D printing at Shell go beyond the management of supply chains . The technology was first used for its research and development to develop novel equipment and rapidly prototype engineering designs . By enabling the printing of spare parts on demand and locally , the technology can positively impact the energy sector supply chain , reducing lead-time and carbon footprint .
Accelerating development
Angeline predicts that the digitalisation of supply chains will evolve with increasing speed . “ I am convinced this acceleration will be visible in the next two years . There has been a significant change in attitudes among my peers in other energy companies and vendors in the three years I ’ ve worked with AM . There is a great willingness to share knowledge and collaborate .”
Angeline Goh : “ Maintaining large inventories buys us a false sense of security .”
A good example is the AM For Energy forum run by DNV – the internationally accredited registrar and classification society - where OEMS and end users like Shell share success stories , user cases , applications , and how to scale up . That willingness is amplified by the fact that in recent years , standards have started to be developed for applying AM in the oil and
Angeline is proud to act as an ambassador in the field of additive manufacturing π www . valve-world . net Valve World February 2023
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