Product category:
Oil, Gas, Petrochemical Industry News
News Release from: Emerson Process Management | Subject: PlantWeb
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 June 2003
TotalFinaElf offshore platform uses
PlantWeb
TotalFinaElf commissions offshore platform using PlantWeb architecture and Foundation fieldbus technology, acheiving installed cost benefits
TotalFinaElf has commissioned an offshore platform using PlantWeb architecture from Emerson and Foundation fieldbus technology, achieving installed cost benefits that include a 15% reduction in wiring and instrumentation costs and a 20% reduction in control system costs Following a successful trial on an onshore plant, TotalFinaElf E and P Nederland (TFEEPN) and Emerson Process Management have installed PlantWeb digital plant architecture with Foundation fieldbus digital communications technology on the new K1A offshore gas production platform, located in the Dutch sector of the North Sea
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 9 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Commissioned in January 2002, TFEEPN achieved several benefits from its initial offshore platform project.
Loop diagrams were reduced by 80%, saving engineering time; building costs were reduced because less space was required; a 15% reduction was seen in wiring and instrumentation costs; and a 20% reduction was seen in control system costs.
Reductions in operational costs are expected although it is too early to quantify these.
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Commenting on the project, Sikko De Jong, head of Electrical, Instrumentation and DCS in the Engineering and Construction Department at TFEEPN said, "We were keen to adopt fieldbus technologies on several offshore projects that were planned.
After research of fieldbus and automation system technologies, and a successful field trial, Foundation fieldbus technology was selected since it met the desired functionality requirements, supports fast cycle times, is powered over the network, and can use existing wiring if necessary.
Emerson Process Management was chosen for the automation system because their PlantWeb digital plant architecture comprises the latest technology of host system powered by intelligent field instruments.
Further, Emerson understands maintenance and has built this into PlantWeb, and Emerson is the automation supplier most actively involved with Foundation fieldbus".
The PlantWeb installation on the K1A platform consists of a DeltaV digital automation system networked with 90 Foundation fieldbus-based instruments, including Rosemount pressure, temperature and flow transmitters.
AMS predictive maintenance software is also a key component of PlantWeb.
AMS works on the network and with the intelligent field devices to provide status and diagnostic information about the field devices as well as about the process.
This predictive information can be used as part of a reliability-centred maintenance strategy, driving towards greater plant availability, reduced maintenance costs; including a reduction in very expensive offshore logistics costs, as well as ensuring high automation performance.
When asked what advice he would give to others embarking on a Foundation fieldbus project, Sikko De Jong, said "We made positive savings, so it is definitely worth doing, What you must remember is that field buses are not difficult, they are just different.
You must prepare the process thoroughly beforehand, increasing people's knowledge and skills as well as modifying engineering procedures and practices to suit the new technology".
TFEEPN continues to expand its application of the proven, new technology.
It completed the automation of the K5PK compressor platform in October 2002 that included PlantWeb with 110 Emerson Foundation fieldbus-based instruments.
A new platform planned for June 2004 will be next to use PlantWeb and Foundation fieldbus technology. Request a free brochure from Emerson Process Management ...
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