Abstract
The challenges presented by the global pandemic and slump in oil prices have imposed costly avoidance measures and delayed project timeliness, but it also has created the opportunity for innovation conditions in industrial non-destructive testing. The evolutional path leveraged by Industry 4.0, present sustainable offerings of robotic platforms, digital solutions and connected devices commonly known as the Internet of Things (IoT) that may assist in recapturing some of the current losses. The landscape is broad with staggered adoptions. An overview of the Industrial Revolutions, related developments in NDE 4.0 and specific focus on North American radiography in the petroleum industry is highlighted. Additionally, focusing on the importance of shared transparency and burden throughout the value-chain to ensure efficacy throughout the migration, and the human contributor for collaborative transition and skills required for the future. The evolutional path of Industrial revolutions leads to Industry 4.0 which presents opportunities with Artificial Intelligence, and connected devices commonly known as the Internet of Things (IoT). This article focuses on three major issues for consideration in the development of a strategic plan to capitalize on the advancements of digital radiography in the petroleum sector. The components are the technological NDE 4.0 transformation, the need for a new and realistic perspective of digital radiography, and the challenges of developing a workforce to adapt to the transition of NDE 4.0.