- With real-time data analytics, offshore operators will have the ability to simulate and predict accident patterns, allowing safety teams to refine protocols based on AI-driven insights rather than historical incidents.
- AI-powered edge device serves as the crucial bridge between the unknown depths of confined spaces and the safety monitoring offices, ensuring no worker is left unprotected, no danger goes undetected, and no industry operates with blind spots.
The offshore industry is no stranger to high-risk environments, but confined spaces present a unique challenge that has often been met with incomplete solutions.
Say the offshore platform is alive with activity. Workers in protective gear move in sync, their voices barely audible over the crashing waves and the hum of machinery.
Deep below deck, an inspection technician descended into a crude oil storage tank—a confined space where danger lurked in unseen pockets of gas, fluctuating oxygen levels, and the ever-present risk of human error.
He followed the traditional safety protocol: a checklist, a gas detector clipped to his suit, and a radio link to his supervisor. Yet, the truth remained—manual checks leave room for blind spots.
Within minutes, his breathing became shallow. A silent gas leak. His radio? Out of reach. His team? Unaware.
This is the reality of confined space accidents. Now imagine if AI had been watching.
We at viAct firmly believe that: “The challenge with confined spaces isn’t just the hazard itself—it’s the delay in response”.
An AI-powered edge device serves as the crucial bridge between the unknown depths of confined spaces and the safety monitoring offices, ensuring no worker is left unprotected, no danger goes undetected, and no industry operates with blind spots.
The edge AI guardian
During the maintenance of crude oil storage tanks, safety is paramount, especially in confined spaces where risks are heightened. In a recent case involving oil & gas giant in Saudi Arabia, an advanced Edge AI device like viMOV was deployed to monitor operations in crude oil storage tanks.
The HSE team observed an 80 per cent decline in unauthorized entry cases—previously a leading cause of fatal accidents. The edge AI solution, with 98.6 per cent accuracy, detected when an untrained worker unknowingly approached a restricted maintenance area.
As the worker moved closer, the device identified the unauthorized access in real time and triggered an alert—flashing warning lights and emitting an audible signal. This immediate intervention prevented unauthorized personnel from entering 99.2 per cent of the time, ensuring that only certified workers accessed the confined crude oil storage tanks and reducing accident risks by an estimated 87.4 per cent.
During routine inspections, the edge AI played a crucial role in enforcing safety protocols by detecting non-compliance with PPE requirements among technicians working in confined spaces.
A local alarm, integrated with the edge AI system, instantly alerted the control room. In over 95.5 per cent of recorded cases, such alerts resulted in immediate corrective action by supervisors. By enhancing PPE compliance by tenfold, the technology significantly reduced exposure to hazardous conditions, reinforcing a proactive approach to safety.
On separate occasions, the edge AI solution demonstrated its life-saving capabilities by detecting unexpected oxygen level drops inside confined chambers. With 99.1 per cent precision, the edge AI identified the anomaly and seamlessly integrated with emergency response mechanisms.
Automated ventilation protocols were triggered within 2.3 seconds and nearby personnel were notified—compared to the average 1-hour response time of traditional methods. This enabled a 92.7 per cent successful evacuation rate before conditions deteriorated further.
In each scenario, edge AI not only detected hazards but also predicted, alerted, and initiated real-time protective measures, transforming confined space monitoring into an intelligent, autonomous safety solution.
Seamless integration, maximum impact
One of the most significant advantages of using an edge AI is how effortlessly it fits into existing safety infrastructures. Unlike traditional surveillance setups that require extensive reconfiguration, this AI-powered solution is designed for plug-and-play deployment with up to 50 hours of battery life.
Its edge AI capabilities mean it doesn’t rely on cloud-based processing, making it highly efficient even in remote offshore locations with limited electricity and internet availability.
For offshore industries navigating strict compliance regulations—from OSHA to IMO standards—today’s edge AI devices acts as more than just a safety tool. It automates compliance documentation, mitigates risks before they escalate, and provides a level of surveillance that human supervisors simply cannot match.
Future of AI-powered monitoring
The adoption of AI-driven edge devices is just the beginning of a larger transformation in offshore safety. As AI continues to evolve, the future of confined space monitoring will shift towards fully automated risk mitigation, where intelligent and highly mobile AIoT devices can predict hazards before they happen and take corrective action without human intervention.
With real-time data analytics, offshore operators will have the ability to simulate and predict accident patterns, allowing safety teams to refine protocols based on AI-driven insights rather than historical incidents.
This shift will not only reduce workplace accidents but also create an offshore environment where every confined space is under constant, intelligent supervision—without requiring excessive human oversight.