Samik Mukherjee

Samik Mukherjee Discusses the Impact of Digitalization on the Downstream Industry

Samik Mukherjee examines a plant

The energy industry can, much like many other sectors, often be resistant to change. Samik Mukherjee acknowledges that there are many factors that contribute to this trend, such as the length and complexities of projects, the amount of investment tied in development, and the multiple pieces that work in tandem for production. Still, Samik recognizes that digitalization has managed to catch on rather quickly, in part because of the many benefits that they can bring to his industry. Here, Samik Mukherjee discusses some of the largest benefits digitalization spurs for downstream companies as well as how these changes can be further embraced for continued developments in the space.

Brings Certainty to Complex Industry Processes

Samik Mukherjee speaks to the inherent complexities of the oil and gas industry including the complicated nature of projects, managing global supply chains, managing global political risks, and challenges delivering on immense projects. These complexities ensure that guesses are not an efficient strategy for facilitating processes within the energy sector- there are simply too many people, processes, and investment hanging in the balance. Without ways to further bring certainty, projects may have more challenges managing costs and schedules as well as exhibit issues meeting the expectations of customers. For this reason, Samik Mukherjee notes that the ability to forecast the cost and schedule for projects is paramount and an immense benefit of digitalization for facility management. Having the data that can help decision makers ascertain the numbers for major projects at the right time can improve project directors’ ability to make correct decisions regarding the work.

Creates Value for Customers
Samik Mukherjee notes that digital delivery for McDermott has improved the company’s ability to execute projects by creating value for customers. For example, Samik speaks to how the certainty that digitization provides lends more certainty for cost and schedule forecasting, builds relationships for long term value, and contributes to transparency within the industry- all of which work in tandem to bring value to clients. Transparency is an important factor in any business, as it allows leaders to share data with each other simultaneously to ensure that projects are heading in the right direction. The speed in which digitization provides transparency for customers and collaborators is key because efficiency, quality improvements and adjustments, as well as reduced need for reworks can increase production margins while simultaneously ensuring that the information can be shared. Now, customers can access visualizations of projects quickly and easily, and this efficiency does wonders for cultivating healthy and collaborative working relationships moving forward.

Looking Forward

Industry leaders acknowledge that digitalization is here to stay for the oil and gas industry in part because of the benefits that it has for processes, but a large part of its growth is about the people. Not only does digitalization empower leaders to remain on the same page and improve processes, but it also plays a crucial role in helping them remain adaptive to further push evolution in the space. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that there are operational and logistical challenges inherent to almost any industry, however, having the right tools and people to utilize them is vital for making the right improvements.

Group Senior Vice President of Projects at McDermott International Samik Mukherjee Discusses Subsea Pipelines

Today, there are more than 3 million miles of subsea pipeline located within the Earth’s oceans. These pipelines deliver trillions of cubic feet of natural gases and petroleum products each year. In recent years, the offshore oil and gas industry has experienced exponential growth due to the many commercial benefits of subsea pipelines. McDermott International, a fully-integrated provider of construction and engineering solutions for the oil and gas industry, has long been the provider of choice for pipelay and field development services. McDermott International’s Group Senior Vice President of Projects Samik Mukherjee hopes to inform the public on the importance of subsea pipelines in the oil and gas industry. Below, Samik Mukherjee will answer some of the public’s most asked questions regarding subsea pipelines. 

What are Subsea Pipelines 

Subsea pipelines, otherwise known as submarine pipelines, are any pipe system that has been installed below a waterline. Subsea pipelines most often refer to a pipeline used by industries to transport natural gas or crude oil underwater. Subsea pipelines can consist of various designs depending on the material being transported. This variety of pipelines are known for their complex installation processes due to highly turbulent sea conditions, which can cause bending stresses. While many subsea pipelines are installed a few meters below the water’s surface, many companies choose to place their pipelines on the seabed, which can require advanced engineering techniques to install.

How Subsea Pipelines are Installed

Subsea pipelines are placed on the seabed by large floating platforms known as pipelaying vessels. While these floating platforms can accommodate hundred of workers, multiple pipelaying vessels are required during the pipe laying process. After monitoring the seabed and located any obstructions, special barges supply pipes to the pipelayingvessels, which are then unloaded and welded. Before anticorrosion coating is applied to the pipe joints, they must be ultrasonically tested for any defects or breaks. Pipes that have passed the review stage are then placed on a conveyer and loaded onto a special boom called a stinger. The stinger slowly lowers the pipe onto the seabed at an angle, where it is attached to the pipeline. 

How Subsea Pipelines are Repaired

Subsea pipelines are notorious for their complex and sometimes costly repair procedures. The repair procedure of subsea pipelines greatly depends on the pipeline’s depth, placement, and corrosion level. If a damaged pipeline has been installed at water depths above 300 m, professional divers will be able to repair the damaged pipeline using conventional repair methods. Diverless repairs occur on subsea pipelines located below 300 meters, or 985 ft, and are often carried out by mechanical connectors.

Samik Mukherjee: Advisory Board Position at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business and the Latest McDermott International Press Release

Samik Mukherjee

In the two years since Samik Mukherjee began his Executive Committee Member position at McDermott International, the company has made great strides and announced several projects and studies expected to advance the energy and gas industry towards a greener and more efficient future. Within the past month, McDermott International made the announcement that their own CB&I Storage Solutions had been awarded a study to research liquid hydrogen storage expansion capabilities. Recently, Mr. Mukherjee has also accepted an Advisory Board Position at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business. 

McDermott International Awarded Liquid Hydrogen Storage Study 

Within the past month, McDermott International announced it’s own CB&I Storage Solutions business had been awarded a study to research different liquid hydrogen storage expansion capabilities in an effort to increase current capacity limits. McDermott International and CB&I Storage Solutions are well known throughout the hydrogen production field for their specialization in field-erected spherical cryogenic hydrogen storage and perhaps most well known for their partnership with NASA in building the world’s largest liquid hydrogen sphere. As Group Senior Vice President of projects for McDermott International, Samik Mukherjee is proud of this recent accomplishment and, as stated in the recent press release, stresses Hydrogen’s importance in creating a sustainably powered future. Within the press release, Samik Mukherjee is quoted as saying, “hydrogen, like wind and solar, plays a major role in decarbonization, and this study aims to unlock even greater potential in this field.” To read more about the McDermott International and CB&I Storage Solutions’ press release, click here

Advisory Panel Position at University of Houston Bauer College of Business 

In January 2021, Samik Mukherjee announced he would be starting an Advisory Panel position at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business. Samik Mukherjee’s background in international business, managing leadership teams through change and leadership development make him uniquely adapted for the University of Houston Bauer College of Business’s leadership programs, in which he will also offer council. Some of the University of Houston Bauer College of Business leadership programs include Emerging Leaders Academic Success Program, EMBA Leadership Track Program, as well as an MS in Management and Leadership and an MBA Leadership Development Certificate. To read more about Samik Mukherjee’s new Advisory Panel position at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business, click here.