Aging Midstream Supply Chain in the Oil and Gas Industry: Issues and AI-Based Solutions
Main Article Content
Abstract
The paper attempts to identify supply chain issues in the midstream sector of the oil and gas industry due to aging infrastructure. We identify four key issues – safety, regulatory compliance, cost, and supply chain optimization. We used extant literature to assess the potential impact of the aging infrastructure on the aforesaid four issues. We investigate the possible solutions based on emerging artificial intelligence technologies and suggest applications of the same. Suggested solutions are based on our investigation into the oil and gas and technology industries, making our research interdisciplinary.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Advanced Consulting and Training. “The Importance of Supply Chain Safety: Risks and Opportunities.” Advanced Consulting and Training, 8 Dec. 2023, https://advancedct.com/the-importance-of-supply-chain-safety-risks-and-opportunities/.
“Advancing Oil and Gas Operations through AI and Automation.” Electric Solenoid Valves, 12 July 2023, https://www.electricsolenoidvalves.com/blog/advancing-oil-and-gas-operations-through-ai-and-automation/.
“Aging Infrastructure: The Cost of Progress: Replacing Aging Infrastructure.” FasterCapital, 5 Apr. 2024, https://fastercapital.com/content/Aging-infrastructure--The-Cost-of-Progress--Replacing-Aging-Infrastructure.html.
Anand, Vikram. “How AI Can Support Risk Management in Oil and Gas Downstream Operations.” LinkedIn, 17 May 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-ai-can-support-risk-management-oil-gas-downstream-vikram-anand/.
ANTERO MIDSTREAM CORPORATION- FORM 10-K. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, 2024, https://www.anteromidstream.com/investors/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001558370-24-001161/0001558370-24-001161.pdf.
Batbuyan, Ulziitushig. “ESG Risks of Aging Pipelines for U.S. Energy Infrastructure Investors.” Sustainalytics, 11 Aug. 2021, https://www.sustainalytics.com/esg-research/resource/investors-esg-blog/esg-risks-aging-pipelines-us.
Bo, Li, Gai Jiannan, and Xue Xiangdong. “The Digital Twin of Oil and Gas Pipeline System.” IFAC-PapersOnLine, vol. 53, no. 5, May 2020, pp. 710. DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2021.04.162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2021.04.162
Casey, Sydney. “What Is It – Midstream Sector of the Oil and Gas Industry.” Mansfield Energy, 12 July 2023, https://mansfield.energy/2023/07/12/what-is-it-midstream-sector-of-the-oil-and-gas-industry/.
DiChristopher, Tom. “With Miles of Aging Pipe, Midstream and Utility Giants Face New Compliance Costs.” S&P Global Market Intelligence, 6 Feb. 2020, https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/with-miles-of-aging-pipe-midstream-and-utility-giants-face-new-compliance-costs-56942555.
“Digital Technologies.” Aramco, 2024, https://www.aramco.com/en/what-we-do/energy-innovation/digitalization/digital-technologies?utm_source=google%20discovery&utm_medium=nativeadvertising&utm_campaign=GO_US_EN_Discovery&utm_term=OTHER&utm_content=TECHNOLOGY&wbraid=ClQKCQjwupGyBhCTARJDAFInPiRwAH4IsYqsc7EdR5iD9oxmjnewV1YBVKYL_YVYF7NPQA48lhPRlGcgPdkG7k6RiYRl3N-RQrvQ95gqEMB2RRoCvck.
Ebrahimi, Seyed Babak, and Ehsan Bagheri. “Optimizing Profit and Reliability Using a Bi-Objective Mathematical Model for Oil and Gas Supply Chain under Disruption Risks.” Computers & Industrial Engineering, vol. 163, Jan. 2022, p. 107849. DOI: 10.1016/j.cie.2021.107849. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2021.107849
The Economist. “The Impact of Ageing Infrastructure in Process Manufacturing Industries.” The Economist, pp. 1–34.
Elso, Nigel, Sayan Ganguly, Stephen Hall, Christoph Kloos, and Johann Raunig. “Securing Supply-Chain Resilience in Oil and Gas.” McKinsey & Company, 2023, https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/oil-and-gas/our-insights/how-oil-and-gas-companies-can-secure-supply-chain-resilience.
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS PARTNERS L.P - FORM 10-K. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, 2023, https://ir.enterpriseproducts.com/static-files/666c475a-d4d3-4bbc-aad1-fecc7c6c84ae.
“Gas Leak Detection in Aging Infrastructure: Challenges and Innovative Solutions.” New Cosmos U.S.A, 1 Sept. 2023, https://denovadetect.com/blogs/posts/gas-leak-detection-aging-infrastructure.
Ghosh, Dibakar. “AI in Compliance and Regulatory Reporting in Banks.” LinkedIn, 10 Dec. 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-compliance-regulatory-reporting-banks-dibakar-ghosh-9hync/.
Grand, V. Michael, et al. “Industry Credit Outlook 2024 Midstream Energy.” 2024, https://www.spglobal.com/_assets/documents/ratings/research/101591879.pdf.
Groeger, Lena V. “Pipelines Explained: How Safe Are America’s 2.5 Million Miles of Pipelines?” ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2012, https://www.propublica.org/article/pipelines-explained-how-safe-are-americas-2.5-million-miles-of-pipelines.
Horstman, Ashley-Rachelle, Pedro Caruso, and Japun Ahluwalia. “Bringing Agility to Midstream: A Critical Success Factor.” Paper presented at the 23rd World Petroleum Congress, Houston, Texas, Dec. 2021.
“How AI Improves Physical Security in the Oil & Gas Industry.” Scylla, 2023, https://www.scylla.ai/how-ai-improves-physical-security-in-the-oil-and-gas-industry/.
Hussain, R. A. E. D., Tiravat Assavapokee, and Basheer Khumawala. “Supply Chain Management in the Petroleum Industry: Challenges and Opportunities.” International Journal of Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management, vol. 1, Nov. 2006, pp. 90-97.
IBM Supply Chain. “Supply Chain Visibility in the Energy and Utilities Industry.” IBM Blog, 30 June 2023, https://www.ibm.com/blog/supply-chain-visibility-in-the-energy-and-utilities-industry/.
Jelinek, Patrick, and David Kirsch. “2024 Oil and Gas Industry Outlook.” EY, 11 Jan. 2024, https://www.ey.com/en_us/insights/oil-gas/2024-oil-and-gas-industry-outlook.
JML Design Inc. “Navigating the Pipeline: Challenges in the Midstream Sector of the Oil and Gas Industry.” LinkedIn, 30 Oct. 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/navigating-pipeline-challenges-midstream-sector-oil-gas-ab7tc/.
Kadam, Diptesh Singh. “Geo-AI for Safer, Real-Time Monitoring of Oil & Gas Pipelines.” Cyient, 27 Feb. 2023, https://www.cyient.com/blog/geo-ai-for-safer-real-time-monitoring-of-oil-gas-pipelines.
Kalita, Ishanu. “The Oil and Gas Industry of Assam: The Upstream, Downstream, and Midstream Industry.” PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology, vol. 17, no. 6, 2020, pp. 13252-67, https://archives.palarch.nl/index.php/jae/article/view/3504.
Kanike, Uday Kumar. “Factors Disrupting Supply Chain Management in Manufacturing Industries.” Journal of Supply Chain Management Science, vol. 4, no. 1-2, June 2023, pp. 1–24. DOI: 10.18757/jscms.2023.6986. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18757/jscms.2023.6986
Kerner, Sean. “Colonial Pipeline Hack Explained: Everything You Need to Know.” TechTarget, 26 Apr. 2022, https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/Colonial-Pipeline-hack-explained-Everything-you-need-to-know.
Khan, Wazir Zada, Mohammed Y. Aalsalem, Wajeb Gharibi, and Quratulain Arshad. “Oil and Gas Monitoring Using Wireless Sensor Networks: Requirements, Issues, and Challenges.” IEEE Xplore, 1 Oct. 2016. DOI: 10.1109/ICRAMET.2016.7849577. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICRAMET.2016.7849577
Krauss, Clifford. “Surging U.S. Oil Production Brings Down Prices and Raises Climate Fears.” The New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/business/energy-environment/us-oil-production-record-climate.html.
Kurdock, Brianne, Jim Curry, Gary Steinbauer, and Lee Banse. “PHMSA Releases Proposed Rulemaking on Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair.” Babst Calland - Attorneys at Law, 17 May 2023, https://www.babstcalland.com/news-article/phmsa-releases-proposed-rulemaking-on-gas-pipeline-leak-detection-and-repair/.
Li, Wenyuan, E. Vaahedi, and P. Choudhury. “Power System Equipment Aging.” IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, vol. 4, no. 3, 2006, pp. 52–58. DOI: 10.1109/mpae.2006.1632454. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MPAE.2006.1632454
Lukinskiy, Valery, Vladislav Lukinskiy, and Rostislav Churilov. “Problems of the Supply Chain Reliability Evaluation.” Transport and Telecommunication Journal, vol. 15, no. 2, Apr. 2014, pp. 120–29. DOI: 10.2478/ttj-2014-0011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ttj-2014-0011
Malik, Naureen S. “Aging Infrastructure Poses Risks for Communities Relying on Natural Gas.” Insurance Journal, 15 Oct. 2018, https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2018/10/15/504457.htm.
McIntire, Carroll. “Utilizing the Power of Data and Advanced Analytics in Oil and Gas Supply Chains.” SupplyChainBrain, 28 Feb. 2022, https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/34586-utilizing-the-power-of-data-and-advanced-analytics-in-oil-and-gas-supply-chains.
Mette, Boris. “Upstream, Midstream and Downstream.” STAUFF, 11 June 2011, https://www.stauffusa.com/en/blog/knowledge/upstream-midstream-and-downstream.
“Midstream Logistics: Streamlining Logistics in the Midstream Sector.” FasterCapital, Apr. 2024, https://fastercapital.com/content/Midstream-logistics--Streamlining-Logistics-in-the-Midstream-Sector.html#Introduction-to-Midstream-Logistics.
Millerman, Elena. “Developments in Midstream Oil and Gas Finance in the United States.” White & Case LLP, 10 Apr. 2020, https://www.whitecase.com/insight-our-thinking/developments-midstream-oil-and-gas-finance-united-states.
Novity. “Predictive Maintenance for Midstream Oil & Gas.” 2023.
Oosterhof, Marvin. “Unplanned Downtime.” Hint Global, 18 Nov. 2021, https://www.hint-global.com/blog/cost-of-unplanned-downtime/.
OP US EPA. “Oil and Gas Sector Information.” EPA, 1 Feb. 2018, https://www.epa.gov/smartsectors/oil-and-gas-sector-information.
O’Sullivan, Louie. “Recognizing Value of Data as Pipeline Integrity Assets.” Pipeline & Gas Journal, Jan. 2023, https://pgjonline.com/magazine/2023/january-2023-vol-250-no-1/features/recognizing-value-of-data-as-pipeline-integrity-assets.
Patidar, Atul Kumar, Utkkarsh Agarwal, Utkarsh Das, and Tanupriya Choudhury. “Understanding the Oil and Gas Sector and Its Processes.” CRC Press EBooks, Informa, Sept. 2023, pp. 1–20. DOI: 10.1201/9781003357872-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003357872-1
PFSD1g1ta. “Navigating the Perils of Aging Infrastructure.” EHD Insurance, 7 Dec. 2023, https://ehdinsurance.com/navigating-the-perils-of-aging-infrastructure/.
PHMSA. “Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines Rule Fact Sheet: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments, RIN 1 Objectives.” PHMSA, 2022, https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/technical-resources/pipeline/rin-1/safety-gas-transmission-pipelines-rule-fact-sheet-maop-reconfirmation-expansion-of-assessment-requirements-and-other-related-amendments-RIN1-objectives.
“Pipeline Incident 20 Year Trends.” PHMSA, 2024, https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/data-and-statistics/pipeline/pipeline-incident-20-year-trends.
Putnam, Cody, and Al Paul. “Oil and Gas Must Prioritize Supply Chain Excellence.” EY, 14 July 2023, https://www.ey.com/en_us/oil-gas-digital-skills-survey/oil-and-gas-must-prioritize-supply-chain-excellence.
Reddy, Rohan. “Energy & MLP Insights: Record-High U.S. Oil and Gas Output Requires Midstream Infrastructure.” Global X ETFs, 20 Oct. 2023, https://www.globalxetfs.com/energy-mlp-insights-record-high-u-s-oil-and-gas-output-requires-midstream-infrastructure.
Samaniego, Mauricio. “Midstream/MLPs: 2020 Cost Discipline Has Benefits into 2021.” ETF Database, 26 Apr. 2021, https://etfdb.com/index-insights/midstream-mlps-2020-cost-discipline-has-benefits/.
SitePro. “Midstream Automation: What Is the Future of Fluid Management?” SitePro, 3 Aug. 2018, https://blog.sitepro.com/resources/blog/midstream-automation-what-is-the-future-of-oilfield-transportation/.
Srivastava, Sudeep. “Nine Best Use Cases of AI in the Oil and Gas Industry.” Appinventiv, 17 Aug. 2023.
“Supply Chain Management in Oil and Gas Industry.” GEP Blog, Mar. 2024, https://www.gep.com/blog/strategy/supply-chain-management-in-oil-and-gas-industry.
Toyo, Mario. “The Impact of AI on Asset Integrity Management.” Inspenet, 31 Dec. 2023, https://inspenet.com/en/articulo/ai-in-asset-integrity-management/.
Tripathi, Panka. “Document AI for Efficient Compliance and Risk Management.” Docsumo, 14 Nov. 2023, https://www.docsumo.com/blog/automate-compliance-with-document-ai#:~:text=to%20compliance%20management.-.
Tsidulko, Joseph. “Benefits of AI in the Supply Chain.” Oracle, 11 Jan. 2024, https://www.oracle.com/scm/ai-supply-chain/.
U.S. Department of Energy. “America’s Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain for a Robust Clean Energy Transition.” U.S. Department of Energy, 24 Feb. 2022, https://www.energy.gov/policy/articles/americas-strategy-secure-supply-chain-robust-clean-energy-transition-fact-sheet.
“US Oil and Gas Midstream Market - Outlook, Overview & Forecast Trend.” Mordor Intelligence, 2023, https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-oil-and-gas-midstream-market.
“U.S. Oil Pipeline Incident Causes 2020.” Statista, 15 Dec. 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1271803/most-common-us-oil-pipeline-incident-causes/.
Valle, Elm. “The Crucial Impact of Supply Chain on the Oil and Gas Industry: Insights and Projections.” LinkedIn, 1 June 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/crucial-impact-supply-chain-oil-gas-industry-insights-elm-valle/.
Vasquez, David. “The Importance of U.S. Refining Capacity.” America First Policy Institute, 20 Nov. 2023, https://americafirstpolicy.com/issues/the-importance-of-u.s-refining-capacity#:~:text=Without%20adequate%20refining%20capacity%2C%20the.
Wanasinghe, Thumeera R., et al. “Digital Twin for the Oil and Gas Industry: Overview, Research Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges.” IEEE Access, vol. 8, 2020, pp. 75–97/ DOI: https: 10.1109/access.2020.2998723. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2998723
Wassick, John M. “Enterprise-Wide Optimization in an Integrated Chemical Complex.” Computers & Chemical Engineering, vol. 33, no. 12, Dec. 2009, pp. 1950–63. DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2009.06.002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2009.06.002
Watson, Kim, Sandip Bhattacharya, and Brian Bench. “AI Implementation Fuels Decarbonization for Midstream Energy Industry.” Wipro, 2023.
WESTERN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP WESTERN MIDSTREAM OPERATING, LP. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, 2023, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1423902/000142390223000023/wes-20221231.htm.
Wolfe, Todd. “13 Remarkable Applications of AI in the Oil & Gas Industry.” Birlasoft, 31 Aug. 2021, https://www.birlasoft.com/articles/13-remarkable-applications-ai-oil-gas-industry.
Woynarowich, Mark. “Digital Twins for Oil and Gas Pipelines: The Next Evolution in Asset Management and Optimization.” LinkedIn, 11 May 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digital-twins-oil-gas-pipelines-next-evolution-asset-mark-woynarowich/.