Equinor Challenge: Acoustic Detection of Industrial Equipment Anomalies

ABSTRACT

Equinor is seeking to gain a thorough understanding of the state-of-the-art of technologies for automated acoustic monitoring, detection, and identification of abnormal conditions or behavior of equipment in industrial and production process settings. Submissions are welcome from companies, groups, and individuals who can supply solutions and/or products at certain maturation level which allows fast implementation. Equinor also welcomes submissions from Solvers who can provide system designs and/or those who can make them aware of companies, products, and/or technologies they do not already know about that meet the Challenge requirements.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge; Solvers seeking a partnership will submit a written proposal to be evaluated by the Seeker with the goal of forming a collaborative partnership. Solvers not seeking a partnership should submit a written proposal to be evaluated by the Seeker for the potential to receive a finder’s fee for the information provided.

OVERVIEW

Industrial processes and machines are noisy particularly in offshore platforms . However, in the apparent noise there is information revealing the acoustic characteristics of a particular machine, valve, pipe segment, etc. Humans are particularly good at detecting deviations in these characteristics and identifying their source, but this requires personnel to be present and listening at all times. Equinor, the Seeker for this Challenge, wishes to understand the current landscape of available technologies for the automated acoustic monitoring, detection, and identification of abnormal noise, conditions, or behavior of equipment in industrial and production process settings.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge with potential finder’s fees also available. Solvers interested and with the ability to work as a partner or supplier will write a preliminary proposal (about 2-4 pages, including supporting non-confidential information and contact details) to be evaluated by Equinor with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership. Upon completion of the evaluation, Equinor may contact selected Solvers directly to work out terms for a collaboration contract. The monetary value of the contract will vary depending on the amount of work to be delivered and the agreed upon time frame.

NOTE: Proposals from Solvers who have the ability to work directly as the collaboration partner or supplier will be considered first. Equinor will also consider proposals from other Solvers who either provide system designs or make them aware of companies, products, and/or technologies they do not already know about that meet the Challenge requirements for a finder’s fee of $2,000 USD.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on 13 Mar 2023.
Late submissions will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY

Employees of Equinor are ineligible to receive an award for this Challenge.

ABOUT THE SEEKER

Equinor is an international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. Our purpose is to turn natural resources into energy for people and progress for society. Equinor’s portfolio of projects encompasses oil and gas, renewables, and low-carbon solutions, with an ambition of becoming a net-zero energy company by 2050. Headquartered in Stavanger (Norway), Equinor is the leading operator on the Norwegian continental shelf. We are present in around 30 countries worldwide. Please see www.equinor.com.

What is the Wazoku Crowd?

Imagine a world where any problem you have can be looked at by millions of expert, motivated eyes. The Wazoku Crowd makes this possible. With twenty years of experience in crowdsourcing, the Wazoku Crowd is the gold standard for open talent and external innovation solutions. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with the Wazoku Crowd to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

What is an eRFP Challenge?

A Wazoku Crowd eRFP Challenge allows Seekers to submit Requests for Proposals for a partner or supplier to provide materials or expertise to solve a business challenge by leveraging the Wazoku Crowd Solver network. This global community includes organizations and individuals, such as contract research organizations, scientists, university researchers, and technology companies.

After a Solver submits an eRFP response, the Seeker evaluates the responses to determine which Solver(s) to contact for further business discussions. With eRFPs, the Solver must not provide any confidential information in the eRFP response. If your eRFP response is selected, you negotiate the terms of the contract (including scope of work, tasks and duration) directly with the Seeker.

This Challenge type does not require Intellectual Property (IP) transfer. However, sometimes Seekers request that certain IP arrangements be made should a partnership be formed.