Customer Success Stories | Oil & Gas | Dec 19, 2024 8:13:56 PM
Civitas Resources is an oil and natural gas exploration company based in Denver, Colorado. Recently expanding into the Permian Basin through multiple acquisitions, Civitas specializes in optimizing its operations through advanced technology, including SCADA systems, to enhance efficiency and security.
Overcoming Remote Access and Security Bottlenecks
Civitas Resources faced challenges managing remote access and securing operational technology (OT) networks after acquiring new assets in the Permian Basin. Previously, cellular communications and SCADA system management were outsourced to third-party providers, creating inefficiencies in accessing and troubleshooting the network. The reliance on outsourced providers also slowed their ability to access devices in the field and led to security concerns, particularly when granting access to third parties. Additionally, the company needed to deploy solutions quickly in order to integrate newly acquired assets, which required a more flexible and cost-effective approach to remote access and system management.
Transforming Operational Connectivity
Civitas turned to Tosibox to address these challenges by replacing the third-party service provider with Tosibox to provide a secure and scalable network infrastructure for their OT environment. Making use of Tosibox’s Hub and Node devices they built a network spanning over 100 sites, that easily scales to integrate newly acquired assets when they come online. The solution allows internal employees to securely access remote devices to troubleshoot and change configurations, without relying on third parties or complex infrastructures like VPNs or jump servers. This streamlined system made it possible for Civitas to avoid APN-related delays, gain flexibility by not being tied to a single cellular provider, and rapidly deploy across newly acquired assets. The implementation of Tosibox allowed Civitas to quickly integrate new assets into their centralized SCADA system, harmonizing operations and enhancing overall system security.
"The ability to remotely log into equipment or make changes is really a force multiplier, allowing one person to be in two places at once. It’s powerful because it allows us to manage geographically diverse assets with limited IT overhead, avoiding the need for on-premise servers and jump servers. It also gives us the ability to securely control third-party access, saving costs on vendor travel time while improving operational efficiency." says Nate Ferrara, IE and SCADA Consultant, Civitas Resources
Impact and Benefits
The key benefits of adopting Tosibox were its rapid deployment capabilities, the reduction of reliance on external contractors, and the significant cost savings, particularly in cellular communication and third-party services. Moreover, the secure and flexible infrastructure supports the company’s future growth through easy integration of new acquisitions, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
• Faster Deployment: Reduced deployment time for over 100 remote sites, enabling Civitas to roll out the solution in less than six months, compared to over a year with alternative solutions.
• Cost Savings: Avoided APN-related delays and dual SIM costs, saving on cellular carrier fees and reducing the need for external vendor services, particularly for troubleshooting and device management.
• Improved Security: Enabled secure remote access without requiring jump servers or complex VPN configurations, enhancing overall security in the OT network.
• Operational Efficiency: Remote troubleshooting and configuration capabilities reduced the need for on-site visits, saving valuable time and minimizing drive-related costs for both employees and contractors.
• Scalable Integration: Facilitated seamless integration of newly acquired assets into Civitas’ centralized SCADA system, enabling quick operational harmonization and data-driven decision-making.
Driving Growth and Innovation
In the future, Civitas Resources looks forward to leveraging the strengths of Tosibox to continue driving growth and efficiency in a rapidly evolving oil and gas industry. With a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), Civitas aims to quickly integrate newly acquired assets into their standardized operational processes. By using Tosibox to simplify remote access to SCADA systems and connect disparate systems into a unified platform, they can seamlessly absorb new fields and ensure consistent, data-driven operations across all assets. This integration will enhance their ability to compare production data across various fields and make more informed, strategic decisions regarding performance, capital expenditures, and resource allocation.
Additionally, Civitas plans to further harness the power of Tosibox in enabling more sophisticated data analytics and AI-driven insights. The ability to access data from newly acquired assets and integrate them with existing operations without lengthy delays or complex setups is key to their future success. As Tosibox continues to evolve, Civitas is particularly interested in exploring edge solutions, such as onboard processing for machine learning or optimization routines, which will enhance their ability to make real-time, data-driven decisions.
Ultimately, Civitas sees Tosibox as a vital tool for scalability, cost reduction, and operational efficiency, helping them stay competitive in the face of ongoing industry changes and growing data demands.
