In the traditionally conservative world of oil and gas, midstream companies have long relied on seasoned consultants to guide operational decisions. With years of expertise and deep industry knowledge, these professionals have helped companies navigate everything from regulatory changes to pipeline integrity issues.
But the industry is changing fast. Rising complexity, real-time demands, and the explosive growth of data are transforming how decisions are made. Midstream oil and gas companies are shifting from a consultant-dependent model to data-driven oil and gas operations and the results are nothing short of transformative.
#The Old Way: Consultant Dependency
For decades, consultants were the anchors of midstream strategy. Need to optimise throughput? Call a consultant. Evaluating asset performance? Bring in external experts.
While these specialists offered valuable insights, the model came with limitations. External consultants often worked with static or outdated data, and decision cycles could stretch into weeks or even months. This became far too slow in an increasingly dynamic and competitive energy landscape.
#Enter the Digital Era
Today, midstream digital transformation is flipping the script. With the integration of advanced technology platforms, real-time data collection and automation, companies are taking ownership of their operational intelligence. This shift is enabling faster, smarter and more cost-effective decisions across the board.
At the heart of this transformation is a commitment to data-driven decision-making. Instead of waiting for periodic reports or outside opinions, teams now have access to real-time dashboards, predictive analytics and automated workflows that surface actionable insights instantly.
#Automation: The Backbone of Modern Operations
One of the most impactful shifts has been the adoption of automation in oil and gas. From pipeline monitoring to anomaly detection and leak prevention, automation is reducing the need for manual oversight and increasing safety and efficiency.
Sensors installed along pipelines continuously collect data on pressure, flow rate, temperature and equipment health, feeding this information into centralised systems that trigger alerts or corrective actions automatically.
This level of automation streamlines operations and lays the groundwork for more advanced analytics and forecasting models.
#Predictive Analytics for Proactive Performance
Another key pillar of the midstream transformation is predictive analytics. Rather than reacting to issues after they arise, companies use historical and real-time data to forecast future events, whether it’s equipment failure, capacity constraints, or market fluctuations.
For example, predictive models can identify patterns that precede compressor failures or detect subtle signs of pipeline fatigue. These insights empower teams to take preventive actions, avoiding costly downtime and environmental risks.
It's a proactive approach that significantly outperforms traditional reactive strategies and supports more resilient operations.
#From Dependency to Empowerment
The move from consultant-dependent operations to a data-driven model doesn’t mean saying goodbye to expert insights. Rather, it’s about empowering internal teams with the tools and information they need to make better decisions faster.
Consultants still play a role, especially in strategic planning and complex problem-solving, but they are no longer the sole source of truth.
In a world where speed, agility, and precision define competitive advantage, the value of becoming a data-driven oil and gas operation is undeniable. Midstream companies that embrace digital transformation are not only enhancing operational efficiency but also building the capabilities to thrive in a data-first future.
Making sense of the massive data influx requires more than just technology, it requires a structured approach.
That’s where TIES (The Integrated Energy System) comes in.
#How TIES helped
One such example is the Scissortail Energy case study. In that, TIES helped Scissortail Energy shift from a consultant-dependent operation to a data-driven one. By centralising data and automating workflows, TIES empowered Scissortail to make real-time, informed decisions without relying on external consultants.
Challenge:
Before TIES, Scissortail relied heavily on external consultants for decision-making and operational guidance.
Solution:
With the implementation of TIES, they moved towards a data-driven approach by centralising operational data and automating workflows.
Result:
This transition gave Scissortail the ability to make timely, data-driven decisions without the need for external consultants, increasing both their operational autonomy and efficiency.
To gain a more detailed insight into how TIES successfully helped Scissortail Energy in the shift towards data-driven operations, read the whole case study on How TIES Optimized Scissortail Energy’s Operations
The midstream digital transformation story is still being written, but one thing is clear: the industry’s future belongs to those who can harness data, automate intelligently, and make informed decisions in real time.
With the right blend of technology, process, and people, midstream oil and gas companies can move from depending on external guidance to mastering their own data-driven destiny.
