MinTIC, Ecopetrol and Claro carry out a successful test of 5G Industrial technology at the Barrancabermeja Refinery

Mintic press release

This is an automated translation of the press release issued in Spanish

MinTIC, in alliance with Ecopetrol and Claro Colombia, successfully carry out new tests with 5G technology, for industrial use, in the operation of the Barrancabermeja Refinery. This time, the focus was on remote assistance solutions, video analytics and the transmission of information and data in real time.

The remote assistance solution allows specialists to provide technical assistance from anywhere in the world in real time through intrinsically safe devices such as glasses and mobile phones.

In this case, a specialist engineer, with restricted physical mobility to travel to the refinery, provided online technical advice to a rotating equipment reliability engineer in training, who through the use of 5G devices and an assisted reality viewer, visualized the information and images in real time through the Teams platform, to guide the sequence of activities in the HCM unit of the Refinery.

In addition to this solution, Video Analytics was implemented in process safety, for the detection of the presence of unauthorized persons in restricted areas with activation of alerts for plant operators, which consisted of the use of intrinsically safe industrial cameras, connected to industrial 5G network.

Lastly, real-time data transmission technology was used to visualize the running tests using intrinsically safe devices designed to operate in 5G networks.

ICT Minister Mauricio Lizcano celebrated the alliance and the results of the tests. "This pilot is a sample of how 5G technology will change the lives of all Colombians, it will benefit all sectors: citizens, companies, consumers, sectors of the economy and the public sector. From the ICT Ministry we are committed with the development of Colombia to improve the quality of life and work for everyone, that is why we support all initiatives that with technology aim to make our country at the forefront of the world ".

" Technology is an ally of the Ecopetrol Group and these tests prove it. We appreciate the support of the ICT Ministry for assigning the spectrum and Claro for its support. These tests allow us to evaluate the adherence of the technology to our operational conditions, identify the appropriate frequencies for communications, evaluate the coverage in work areas and determine the value potential that it generates in our operations ", explains Ricardo Roa, president of the Ecopetrol Group.

The use of this type of solution is part of the transformation process that Ecopetrol is carrying out in search of tools that, supported by 5G technology, allow faster data transmission speeds, a greater number of devices connected simultaneously, and coverage expansion. It is estimated that, with Remote Assistance and Video Analytics, there are efficiencies in time and costs that support specialized personnel.

"As strategic allies of Ecopetrol, at Claro we are implementing industrial solutions based on 5G that respond to the process of digital transformation and technological adoption that they are advancing in their operation. Without a doubt, the reduction in latency and the speed provided by this network of fifth generation allow that, in the field, work can be carried out guided by people who are in another country. The technology must be available to all companies in the country to optimize costs and times in daily work, "said Carlos Zenteno, president from Claro Colombia.

MinTIC, Claro and Ecopetrol continue to work on the development of an innovative ecosystem of technological solutions for monitoring, risk mitigation and real-time communication that allow the transformation and digitization of processes in operations.

These advances will allow, in the medium term, to continue advancing in the construction of the public policy that determines the technical scope required for the massive use of this technology in Barrancabermeja and the country.