GE (NYSE: GE) and Noble Corp. (NYSE: NE) will collaborate on the Digital Rig solution, which aims to cut operational expenditures across the rigs by 20% using data analytics, according to a news release

As part of the agreement, GE will initially deploy its marine Asset Performance Management (APM) system, powered by Predix, on four of Noble’s drilling rigs. The partnership targets enhanced drilling process efficiency, a shift to predictive maintenance and lower third-party service costs, the release said.

GE’s marine APM solution combines “digital twin” data models and advanced analytics to detect off-standard behavior—often a sign of potential failure or performance degradation—of target assets on the rigs, the release said. This can sometimes be detected weeks ahead, providing an early warning signs of problems that need to be fixed.

As the system continues to learn, this ability to predict the future condition of rig-wide assets will also enable a shift from planned to predictive maintenance, according to the release. Empowered by modern software-based analysis, maintenance is exercised only when there is evidence of need. Compared to planned maintenance, it avoids unnecessary maintenance as well as mitigates the risk of maintenance-induced problems, reducing unplanned downtime and creating significant cost savings.

The partnership is targeting to deliver up to a 20% reduction in maintenance costs, the release said.

In addition, the ability to provide actual rig asset data to onshore experts globally provides insights into asset health, allowing experts to remotely diagnose problems and advise on next steps from a central location, potentially reducing third-party service costs. It also helps optimize the offshore maintenance team’s manpower and structure, as engineers will be able to focus on the drilling activity, not fault finding unnecessary problems, the release said.