Building Resilience: Data Capture Solutions for Oil & Gas During Challenging Times

04 February 2025
Building Resilience: Data Capture Solutions for Oil &
Gas During Challenging Times
In October 2024, BP posted its lowest quarterly profit in
four years. It was a stark reminder that market volatility can have a gross
impact on performance.
Markets continue to be sensitive to geo-political turbulence
as we head into 2025. Inflationary pressures and dips in consumer confidence
remain further contributing to the sector’s instability and competitiveness.
What’s the answer? Automation and better insight.
The risks associated with unstable global politics and even
pandemics, will never go away, and will continue to put pressure on the
strategy logistics firms adopt. Boardrooms around the world cite the importance
of building businesses that can withstand and respond to market tensions.
But how can they achieve this cost effectively?
Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed the evolution of more
innovative technologies that support improvements to supply chain management.
Many of these solutions are geared towards providing insights
that can help teams understand imminent risks and stay ahead of the effects of
market volatility. These include mobile data capture solutions, that support
real-time, intelligent decision-making.
Driving productivity with data insights
In December, leaders from some of the world’s largest
automative and logistics companies met at the ALSC Digital Strategies Europe
conference to discuss why having accurate and timely data has become invaluable
during periods of uncertainty. In short, it provides clarity.
Companies can
better prepare for managing risk and ensure the actions they take will keep the
supply chain moving.
In the case of fuel delivery operations, mobile data capture
solutions provide the real-time insights needed to make better decisions about stock
management. Data can be interrogated to find the trends and patterns that can
be used to forward plan adjustments. This means companies can do more of what
is proven to work and eliminate guess work.
Not only that, but by using software to eliminate
paper-based processes, companies reduce human error and ensure that critical
data is instantly accessible across teams. This increased accuracy boosts
productivity and agility and is vital when margins are tight.
Accelerating billing cycles to improve cash flow
Cash flow management is a critical concern for oil and gas
businesses, especially during economic downturns.
That’s why mobile data capture systems, which digitize and
streamline the billing process, are being adopted to overcome the challenges
associated with traditional paper-based workflows.
The greatest benefit is faster billing cycles.
By reducing
the time between delivery and payment, improvements to cash flow can be made,
providing companies with the financial stability needed to weather uncertain
times.
Supporting remote operations during crises
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for flexibility
and remote capabilities. With many administrative staff working from home,
businesses reliant on paper-based processes faced significant challenges.
Mobile data capture solutions bridge this gap.
By digitizing
critical workflows, teams can be given remote access to essential information.
This ensures continuity and resilience, even in the face of widespread
disruptions.
Optimizing inventory to reduce costs
Stockouts and excess inventory can have significant
financial repercussions for the balance sheet. Fuel delivery companies are
therefore looking for solutions that offer real-time inventory data.
These systems provide the full line of sight through the
supply chain. As a result, optimal stock levels can be maintained, and, when
necessary, used to manage demand fluctuations.
When considering a return on investment, it’s helpful to
look at the prime reasons early adopters cite - mobile data capture solutions
are helping to minimize the unnecessary expenses associated with overstocking,
while ensuring critical supplies are always available.
It’s clear that the smooth running of operations, even in
unpredictable circumstances, can make the difference between profit and loss. Enhanced
inventory management is therefore a boon as it reduces costs incurred from
disruption to service.
Minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact
Efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s also about
sustainability. By leveraging real-time data, companies can optimize delivery routes[MOU1] so less time is spent on the road. This
reduces overall fuel consumption and avoids unnecessary trips.
This not only lowers operational expenses but also helps
companies meet environmental goals and regulatory requirements—a growing
priority in today’s market. Plus, it reduces stress across the workforce.
Room for more strategic delivery
Administrative overheads are a drain on resources,
particularly during challenging times. In the past, redundancy would have been
used to balance the books. However, there are numerous firms that are bucking
the trend by using mobile data capture systems to automate routine tasks creating
more capacity to do strategic delivery.
This leaner, more agile approach is helping fuel firms to
deliver market change and be more competitive even when market pressures
intensify.
Building a resilient future
In an industry as dynamic as oil and gas, resilience is not
just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity.
Mobile data capture solutions are
rapidly becoming the cornerstone of modern, efficient, and adaptable
operations.
They provide the tools businesses need to adapt, streamline
operations, and thrive, even in the most challenging environments.
The oil and gas sector will continue to face challenges, of
that there is no doubt, but with the right tools and strategies, businesses can
build resilience and emerge stronger.
About the author – Gordon Hyland

Gordon (54) has almost thirty years’ experience supporting
customers with complex, field based, technology solutions. He has been with
Touchstar Group for over seven years and became head of the Fuels Division in
2019. In his spare time he enjoys family life and his main passions are travel
and skiing whenever possible.
Contact Gordon at Gordon.hyland@touchstar.co.uk