RGU to launch Smart Data Technologies center

Sept. 3, 2014
Robert Gordon University (RGU) will launch a new Centre for Smart Data Technologies this month, which aims to bring the benefits of analyzing and mining vast quantities of data to industry.

Offshore staff

ABERDEEN, UKRobert Gordon University (RGU) will launch a new center for Smart Data Technologies this month, which aims to bring the benefits of analyzing and mining vast quantities of data to industry.

The center, which will be launched on Sept. 9, will focus on big data analytics, particularly for the oil and gas sector. It is intended that the industry will secure huge efficiencies from the use of analytics to extract added value for processes such as increasing speed to first oil; enhancing production; improving asset maintenance and reliability; reducing risks in health, safety, and the environment; and reducing costs.

“Big data” is a term relating to datasets that are characterized by the “three Vs” – high volume of data, high velocity of data generation, and high variety from highly heterogeneous data and different sources.

The oil and gas industry has identified a strong need to make use of the vast data generated by exploration and production operations, with offshore installations providing terabytes of data daily.

The center will initially have a core team of up to 10 research staff, alongside business development and administrative support, building on RGU’s expertise in data modeling, smart information systems, and knowledge management.

It will provide a collaborative facility involving academic and industry partners, where there will be purpose-driven research aimed at solving key technical challenges in the monitoring and management of subsea fields. This initiative is aligned with the Data Lab, a forthcoming national innovation center in data science, which will see a hub located at RGU.

09/02/2014