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How Asset Tracking Transformed Onshore & Offshore Operations
May 22, 2025
Oil & gas companies manage thousands of tools and equipment items across onshore bases, offshore rigs, vessels, and remote field sites. With constant movement, harsh environments, and multiple teams involved, maintaining asset visibility becomes a significant challenge.
This case study shows how structured asset tracking improves safety, reduces equipment loss, and increases operational efficiency across integrated onshore–offshore operations.
The Operational Challenge
A mid-sized oil & gas operator manages equipment across two key environments:
Onshore workshop and logistics base
Offshore production platform and drilling support rig
Each day, personnel transfer tools, lifting gear, PPE, containers, and inspection equipment between onshore and offshore facilities. Before adopting a modern asset tracking system, the company faced recurring issues.
Issues Faced Across Both Environments
Frequent loss of high-value tools
No unified record between onshore and offshore teams
Manual spreadsheets that became outdated within hours
Limited visibility of equipment during vessel transfers
Inability to prove compliance during safety audits
Summary: Operational complexity and manual processes created visibility gaps, increased safety risks, and reduced equipment utilisation.
Onshore Challenges Before Asset Tracking
1. Unclear Equipment Custody
Onshore workshops issued tools daily, but sign-out sheets were often incomplete or inaccurate.
Common Problems
Tools taken by technicians without documentation
Assets mixed between jobs and departments
No record of return condition
Summary: Lack of custody documentation made asset reconciliation nearly impossible.
2. Poor Condition Reporting
Inspections were performed inconsistently because technicians relied on verbal communication.
Risk Consequences
Damaged tools sent offshore without checks
No proof of maintenance for audits
Safety gear reused despite defects
Summary: Weak condition reporting caused compliance issues and operational delays.
3. Vessel Loading Complexity
Equipment was often placed on vessels without tracking, making it difficult to know what had been dispatched.
Impact
Items lost during transit
Wrong equipment shipped to offshore teams
Inefficient cargo planning
Summary: Onshore logistics teams lacked the visibility required to manage offshore shipments effectively.
Offshore Challenges Before Asset Tracking
1. Missing Equipment During Rig Operations
Offshore crews frequently reported missing tools that were assumed to be onboard but never arrived.
Why This Happened
No confirmation of what left the shore base
Poor communication between supply teams and offshore supervisors
Tools misplaced on rig floors or storage rooms
Summary: Offshore operations suffered delays due to missing or unverified equipment.
2. Harsh Environments Damaging Records
Saltwater, humidity, and vibration made paper logs unreliable.
Practical Issues
Logs became unreadable
Labels wore off rapidly
Tracking accuracy dropped significantly
Summary: Field conditions made traditional documentation ineffective.
3. Safety and Compliance Gaps
Inspection intervals were often missed because there was no centralised inspection calendar.
Consequences
Tools used beyond inspection due dates
Difficulty demonstrating compliance during audits
Increased risk exposure
Summary: Compliance failures stemmed from a lack of structured digital oversight.
The Turning Point: Implementing a Unified Asset Tracking System
The company adopted a mobile-first digital asset tracking solution, allowing both onshore and offshore teams to operate from the same real-time system.
Key Improvements
Barcode scanning for quick and accurate identification
Assignments that record who has each asset
Checklists and condition reports completed from phones
Full traceability from warehouse to rig floor
Photos capturing real condition during transfers
Summary: The system created a shared truth between onshore and offshore teams.
Practical Example: Tracking a Set of Lifting Gear
A set of certified lifting shackles required on an offshore platform illustrates the transformation.
Before the Digital System
Shackles were loaded onto a vessel without documentation
Offshore crew couldn’t find them on arrival
A replacement set had to be flown in via helicopter
Cost: over $20,000 and 24 hours of downtime
After MapTrack Implementation
Shackles scanned during onshore check-out
Assignment recorded with photo and condition
Each item logged as “in transit”
Offshore crew scanned items upon receipt
Full custody chain visible from phone
Outcome: Zero loss, accurate inventory, and complete compliance with lifting equipment requirements.
How MapTrack Supports Onshore & Offshore Operations
MapTrack provides a unified platform for managing tools, equipment, and field assets across all operational environments.
Real-Time Asset Visibility
MapTrack delivers live location, assignment, and condition information, bridging the gap between onshore and offshore teams.
Fast Check-In/Check-Out
Barcode scanning and mobile workflows make it easy for technicians to record asset movement in seconds.
Inspection Control Through Checklists
Offshore and onshore crews can complete digital inspections with: Photos, Condition checkboxes, Notes and Automated due dates
Smart Lock & Secure Storage Integration
High-value tools remain protected, and every access event is logged digitally.
Full Audit Trails
Assignments, condition reports, and historical usage provide defensible compliance records.
Summary: MapTrack centralises equipment visibility, improves safety compliance, and reduces operational delays across both environments.
FAQ
Why is asset tracking difficult in onshore–offshore operations?
Because equipment constantly moves between locations, teams, and vessels, making manual tracking unreliable.
What types of equipment benefit the most from digital tracking?
Lifting gear, gas detectors, tools, PPE, cargo containers, calibration instruments, and emergency equipment.
How can asset tracking reduce offshore delays?
It ensures required tools are available, inspected, and verified before any operation begins.
Can asset tracking systems work in harsh offshore environments?
Yes—mobile-friendly platforms like MapTrack are designed for rugged conditions and remote connectivity.
How does digital tracking support safety compliance?
By ensuring inspection intervals are met, conditions are documented, and audit trails are always available.
How does MapTrack improve coordination between onshore and offshore teams?
It provides a shared real-time platform that eliminates guesswork and communication gaps.
Conclusion & Actionable Takeaways
To improve operational efficiency across onshore and offshore environments, oil & gas companies should:
Digitise check-in/check-out workflows
Adopt barcode-based identification
Use real-time assignment tracking
Implement standardised digital inspections
Capture condition reports with photos
Use mobile tools that work in harsh conditions
A unified asset tracking system like MapTrack transforms how teams coordinate, reducing loss, improving safety, and enabling smoother field operations.
