LG CNS to help S-Oil Ulsan plant's AI transformation

By Nam Hyun-woo

LG CNS will assist in artificial intelligence (AI) transformation for refiner S-Oil’s plant in Ulsan through a partnership aimed at jointly developing advanced systems and platforms, the computer service firm said Wednesday.

LG CNS CEO and President Hyun Shin-gyoon and S-Oil President Park Bong-soo signed a memorandum of understanding at the former's office in western Seoul for the two companies’ collaboration for establishing AI- and big data-driven intelligent plants.

Under the MOU, the two companies will develop a number of AI-powered systems for flare stack optimization, integrated process safety management (PSM) and AI transformation. These systems are all aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency and safety management of the refiners’ Ulsan plant, LG CNS said.

A flare stack is used at refining and petrochemical plants to burn off and release flammable gases into the atmosphere safely. If the gas is not fully combusted, it can produce unintended smoke and flames, making real-time monitoring and rapid response crucial.

The AI-based flare stack optimization system uses AI video analysis to continuously monitor smoke color and flame conditions in real-time, automatically adjusting the steam valve to maintain optimal conditions.

PSM refers to a regulatory system requiring plants that handle high-risk chemical substances to submit detailed safety reports periodically to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

To support these tasks, LG CNS plans to implement customized generative AI and voice recognition technology to streamline investigations, interviews and other PSM processes.

The two companies will also develop platforms for S-Oil employees to develop their own AI services, using LG CNS’s enterprise generative AI platform, DAP GenAI.

“LG CNS will deliver differentiated customer value by integrating its proprietary generative AI technology into S-OIL’s advanced plant operations to accelerate its AI transformation and significantly enhance employee productivity,” LG CNS CEO Hyun said.

“We have high expectations for establishing a digital refinery through our collaboration with LG CNS," Park said. “We will continue to work closely together in a long-term perspective for a systematic approach to the vision.”