S-OIL Signs MOU with LG CNS to Build AI and Big Data-Based Intelligent Factory

Flare Stack Smoke and Flames... AI Monitors, Analyzes, and Optimizes Operations
AI-Based Process Safety Management System, Direct Development of Generative AI Services Using the "AX Platform"

S-OIL (CEO: Anwar Al Hizazi) is accelerating the establishment of a Digital Refinery at its Ulsan plant by entering into full-scale cooperation with LGCNS, an AX (AI Transformation) specialized company.

S-OIL and LG CNS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of a Digital Refinery based on 4th Industrial Revolution technologies such as AI and big data at the LG CNS headquarters in Magok-dong, Seoul. The signing ceremony was attended by key executives including Park Bong-su, President of Operations at S-OIL, and Hyun Shin-gyun, CEO of LG CNS.

Park Bong-su, Chief Operating Officer of S-Oil (right), is taking a commemorative photo with Hyun Shin-kyun, CEO of LG CNS, at the business agreement ceremony. Photo by S-Oil

Through this agreement, both companies plan to enhance the operational efficiency and safety management level of S-OIL’s Ulsan plant by collaborating on the development of an AI-based flare stack optimization system, a Process Safety Management (PSM) system for routine safety management, and an AX platform.

The flare stack is a facility that safely burns combustible gases generated in refining and petrochemical plants and releases them into the atmosphere. If the gas is not completely combusted, smoke and flames may occur, making real-time monitoring and rapid response essential.

The AI-based flare stack optimization system under consideration by S-OIL and LG CNS utilizes video analysis AI technology to analyze the color of smoke and flame images captured by CCTV 24 hours a day in real time.

When abnormal signs are detected, the system automatically optimizes the control of steam valves, significantly improving process stability. Once implemented, this system is expected to reduce the burden on S-OIL employees who previously had to inspect the flare stack every hour, enabling more efficient plant operations.

S-OIL and LG CNS will also collaborate on advancing the Process Safety Management (PSM) system.

PSM is an essential safety management system for workplaces handling high-risk chemicals. It requires the regular submission of extensive reports covering 12 items, including process safety information, work permits, process hazard analysis, change management, emergency response plans, and equipment management. This process takes at least 3 to 6 months and requires systematic document management.

Accordingly, both companies are considering introducing generative AI and voice recognition technologies optimized for S-OIL to support employees in performing PSM tasks more effectively.

In particular, they are actively promoting the development of an “AI Mock Interview (tentative name)” function as part of the PSM process. This function operates by having generative AI generate questions based on previous interview questions and environmental and safety-related materials, and then provide AI feedback on employees’ answers.

This will not only help employees prepare more effectively for interviews but is also expected to improve overall safety awareness.

Furthermore, S-OIL and LG CNS plan to jointly promote the construction of an “AX platform” for S-OIL’s Ulsan plant. To this end, they plan to actively utilize LG CNS’s proprietary solutions such as the enterprise generative AI platform “DAP Gen-AI Platform” and the machine learning and deep learning-based AI and big data analysis platform “DAP MLDL.”

Through this platform, S-OIL plant employees will be able to directly develop various generative AI services and apply them to their work, thereby establishing a data-driven, fast, and accurate decision-making system.

Accordingly, S-OIL intends to accelerate innovation in its Digital Refinery and actively promote process operation optimization and work efficiency improvement using AI technology.

Park Bong-su, President of Operations at S-OIL, said, “S-OIL has recently been actively adopting 4th Industrial Revolution technologies to greatly improve safety and operational efficiency on site. We have high expectations for realizing the Digital Refinery by cooperating with LG CNS, which possesses both AI technological capabilities and know-how in intelligent plant operations. We will continue to actively collaborate from a long-term perspective to systematically build the Digital Refinery.”

Through this agreement, S-OIL and LG CNS plan to accelerate factory innovation based on AI and big data and continuously strengthen their close cooperative relationship for the realization of the Digital Refinery.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.