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This study investigates the integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies with condition-based maintenance (CBM) in upstream oil and gas (O&G) operations, focussing on developing countries like Nigeria. The research identifies barriers to this integration and suggests solutions, intending to provide practical insights for improving operational efficiency in the O&G sector.

The study commenced with an exhaustive review of extant literature to identify existing barriers to I4.0 implementation and contextualise the study. Subsequent to this foundational step, primary data are gathered through the administration of carefully constructed questionnaires targeted at professionals specialised in maintenance within the upstream O&G sector. A semi-structured interview was also conducted to elicit more nuanced, contextual insights from these professionals. Analytically, the collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical methods for summarisation and interpretation with a measurement model to define the relationships between observed variables and latent construct. Moreover, the Relative Importance Index was utilised to systematically prioritise and rank the key barriers to I4.0 integration to CBM within the upstream O&G upstream sector.

The most ranked obstacles in integrating I4.0 technologies to the CBM strategy in the O&G industry are lack of budget and finance, limited engineering and technological resources, lack of support from executives and leaders of the organisations and lack of competence. Even though the journey of digitalisation has commenced in the O&G industry, there are limited studies in this area.

The study serves as both an academic cornerstone and a practical guide for the operational integration of I4.0 technologies within Nigeria's O&G upstream sector. Specifically, it provides an exhaustive analysis of the obstacles impeding effective incorporation into CBM practices. Additionally, the study contributes actionable insights for industry stakeholders to enhance overall performance and achieve key performance indices (KPIs).

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission has a detrimental impact on climate change. There is an increasing trend for firms to use disclosure to signal stakeholders about its environmental responsibilities and performance in dealing with climate change. China is one of the countries producing the most carbon emissions. Over the last decade, Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are becoming important players in international trade. However, the existing literature provides limited evidence on how Chinese SOEs influence GHG disclosure. Through the lens of stakeholder–agency theory, this chapter studies the top 300 listed firms to examine the relationship between Chinese SOEs and the likelihood of GHG disclosure. The result suggests a negative relationship between Chinese SOEs and the likelihood of GHG disclosure. This could be explained as a consequence of the managers' political self-interests, economic and policy-oriented decision-making process and the power differentials between the government and SOE managers. This research extends the GHG literature to Chinese SOEs context, providing direct evidence on how state ownership impacts on GHG disclosure.

As a common form of failure in industry, corrosion causes huge economic losses. At present, with the development of computational techniques, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a more and more important role in the field of scientific research. This paper aims to review the application of AI in corrosion protection research.

In this paper, the role of AI in corrosion protection is systematically described in terms of anticorrosion materials and methods, corrosion image recognition and corrosion life prediction.

With efficient and in-depth data processing methods, AI can rapidly advance the research process in terms of anticorrosion materials and methods, corrosion image recognition and corrosion life prediction and save on costs.

This paper summarizes the application of AI in corrosion protection research and provides the basis for corrosion engineers to quickly and comprehensively understand the role of AI and improve production processes.

The purpose of this study is to explore the transient characteristics of mixed-flow pumps during startup process.

This study uses a full-flow field transient calculation method of mixed-flow pump based on a closed-loop model.

The findings show the hydraulic losses and internal flow characteristics of the piping system during the start-up process.

Large computational cost.

Improve the accuracy of current numerical simulation results in transient process of mixed-flow pump.

Simplify the setting of boundary conditions in the transient calculation.

This study aims to reduce the weight of the door, improve the operating efficiency and ensure the safety of vehicle operation.

Based on traditional aluminium alloy doors, a new type of honeycomb composite material was developed. Tests were conducted to determine the honeycomb compression resistance, honeycomb and skin shear performance, plate bending, thermal conductivity and environmental protection. Eight doors were developed based on the full-side open structure, and static strength and stiffness analyses were performed simultaneously. To solve door vibration problems, modal analysis and test were carried out.

The test results showed that the weight of the door was reduced by more than 40% whilst ensuring the strength and stiffness of the vehicle. The first–sixth-order test mode of the door was increased by more than 14% compared with existing aluminium alloy doors.

A new type of honeycomb composite material was used in this study. The test results showed that the weight of the door was reduced by more than 40% whilst ensuring the strength and stiffness of the vehicle. The 1st-to-6th order test mode of the door was increased by more than 14% compared with the existing aluminium alloy door.

Audit consortium of joint and dual audits is one of the most controversial mechanisms aimed at improving audit quality and resolving several related debatable issues. This study aims to empirically investigate the impact of audit consortium on audit quality assessment in Egypt. It specifically examines whether audit opinion modification level is triggered by joint and dual audits existence and whether it is influenced by the relative importance of the auditor pair combination types.

A sample of companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange constituting the EGX 30 index is examined over a period of five years, from 2016 to 2020. A quantitative research methodology is used, using content analysis of companies’ audit reports and carrying out longitudinal panel ordinary least squares multiple regression tests.

Results show that audit quality is significantly enhanced by conducting joint and dual audits of Egyptian companies’ financial statements. Findings indicate that both joint and dual audits significantly increase auditors’ propensity to modify audit opinions as compared to companies that engage in single audits. However, this increase in audit quality is not supported by the presence of Big 4 joint auditors or affiliated joint auditors, while the impact of Big 4 dual auditors cannot be confirmed. Nevertheless, such a potential increase in audit opinion modification is boosted by the presence of affiliated dual auditors, which appears to translate into higher quality.

The study has important implications for researchers, corporates, those charged with governance, financial statement users, auditors, regulators and standard setters, who might be interested in whether an audit consortium and a particular auditor pair combination are associated with superior audit quality. It provides empirical evidence that might contribute to the continuous challenge of promoting the quality and effectiveness of the external audit.

This study adds to the relatively limited and challenging literature on the potential contribution of audit consortium, using audit opinion modification level as a direct assessment of audit quality. It extends the scope of prior research by examining the existence of joint and dual audits and the relative importance of joint and dual auditor pair combination types. The study provides key insights from a distinctive and complex emerging audit market.