Shape Reef AI to Boost Offshore Oil Safety in Brazil
Shape Digital, Shell Brasil, MODEC Brasil, and Unicamp have joined forces to enhance safety in offshore oil operations through artificial intelligence. Their partnership focuses on advancing Shape Reef, an existing operational process safety tool, to better monitor and manage safety barriers on offshore units.
Safety barriers—comprising systems, procedures, and equipment—are critical for preventing and controlling operational risks. The upgraded Shape Reef will identify barrier degradation in real time, offering clear visualization and supporting prompt decision-making to help maintain safer offshore environments.
Developing Smarter Safety Barrier Management
Felipe Baldissera, CEO of Shape Digital, emphasized the project’s objective: “We are going to develop and test new methods for managing safety barriers on offshore units, making the tool even more robust. This project fits perfectly with our strategy to generate intelligence from data and AI, supporting strong operational decisions.”
Over 36 months, funded by the ANP's RD&I clause, the partnership will focus on refining risk estimation methods. These will address two key scenarios: safety barrier degradation and gas leak risks, using data-driven techniques to improve accuracy and responsiveness.
Industry Expertise Driving Innovation
Olivier Wambersie, Director of Technology and Innovation at Shell Brasil, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Safety is a non-negotiable asset for Shell Brasil. Investing in technology to manage risks on offshore units is central to our operational excellence. Collaborations like this help us anticipate failures, reduce uncertainties, and protect people and the environment.”
MODEC Brasil contributes operational knowledge from its FPSOs in Brazil. Leonardo Santoro, Technical Management Manager at MODEC Brasil, stated, “We are committed to innovation that strengthens safety and operational excellence. Sharing expertise and technical data is key to developing solutions that ensure safer and more efficient offshore operations.”
From Academic Research to Field Application
The AI technology builds on earlier research at the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), led by Professor Sávio Viana. Initial results included two innovative programs: the Fuzzy BowTie and an Artificial Neural Network for Leak Detection.
In the current phase, the team will integrate computational fluid dynamics with real field data to develop new AI models. This approach aims to increase the technological maturity and effectiveness of the solution.
Expanding Shape Reef’s Reach
Shape Reef is already operational in offshore units across Brazil, Mexico, and Africa. With these enhancements, it will be better equipped to identify risks and support mitigation efforts with greater precision and broader coverage.
For management and operations professionals seeking to leverage AI for safety and risk control, this project highlights practical progress in applying data-driven tools to offshore environments.
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