Oil production takes place not only on land and in shallow coastal waters but also on the high seas. In shallow waters such as the Gulf of Mexico production platforms are firmly anchored to the sea-bed. In deep-sea applications, where oil exploration platforms can tap into deposits at depths of up to 3500 m it is not possible to anchor the platforms.
Oil exploration platforms suitable for the high seas must keep their position above the bore hole with engine power in spite of wind and currents. Position must be kept accurate to a few metres with engine power so that the boring rods do not break. The highest demands are placed on the operational reliability of the dynamic position control because should the platform drift off position there is the danger of great environmental damage and downtime. Converteam designed a control system for the Transocean Sedco Forex platforms that meets the highest safety demands. As well as other safety precautions the control components are designed with multiple redundancy and networked with fail-safe fibre-optic cables.
The Sedco Express oil platform
Platform position is recorded by satellite with GPS and by sonar buoys fixed on the seabed. The platform position is maintained by powerful electromotors on the four corners of the platform. Each of these 7 MW motors can rotate through 360°. The dynamic position maintenance control system and the associated Fieldbus network must meet high realtime and reliability requirements.
For the Transocean Sedco Forex express class platforms Converteam required a bus system that would operate in realtime, provide error monitoring and alarm indication and be error tolerant such that no single point of failure would render it inoperational. The system was required to maintain a positioning accuracy of better than 5 m in ocean currents of up to 3,5 knots, wind speeds of up to 60 knots and wave conditions of up to 9 m. The solution Converteam opted for comprised World FIP Fieldbus protocol running on an all-fibre network with four hierarchically structured Fieldbus rings and incorporating Hirschmann's fibre-optic cable repeaters.
Some of the reasons for this selection were the high realtime capability of World FIP, the capability of Hirschmann's LWL repeater ring and very fast switchover time on ring failure.
Integrating fire alarm systems into building management systems Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Fire alarm systems work independently of the building automation system. Schrack Seconet has developed a flexible gateway using ultra-compact industrial PCs and TwinCAT from Beckhoff, which can be used to flexibly convert a customer-specific communication protocol to a wide range of transmission standards.
Read more...Fire and gas suppression solutions for mission-critical industries
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
By representing world-leading brands and focusing on fully integrated, certified systems, HMA South Africa is positioning itself as a trusted partner in fire detection, suppression and explosion-proof safety solutions across the continent.
Read more...The future of manufacturing
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Industrial automation is evolving at an unprecedented pace. At the forefront of this transformation is the Siemens SIMATIC ET 200SP HA Distributed I/O system. This is a flexible and scalable distributed I/O system for modern signal transfer from the field to the control level.
Read more...Time-sensitive networking RJ Connect
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In this article, we will explore what is driving the rise of time-sensitive networking, how it is reshaping industrial efficiency, the challenges when deploying this technology, and ways to tackle these challenges.
Read more...Loop Signature 30: Nonlinearity in control loops (Part 1) Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
If nonlinearity occurs it means that if one is to carry on controlling with the same response to changes in load or setpoint, then the tuning of the controller will also need to be adjusted to meet the new conditions.
Read more...PC-based control regulates innovative dehumidifiers Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Swedish company, Airwatergreen is breaking new ground in the dehumidification of air in industrial buildings and warehouses. The patented CVP technology reduces energy requirements and ensures an indoor climate that prevents corrosion and mould growth. PC-based control from Beckhoff regulates this innovative process.
Read more...Ethernet connectivity for embedded systems
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Delivering Ethernet connectivity for embedded systems, XPort ETH Click is a compact add-on board from MIKROE, the embedded solutions company that dramatically cuts development time by providing innovative hardware and software products based on proven standards.
Read more...Compact mini PC Vepac Electronics
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
AS AAEON’s first Intel Core-powered PICO-SEMI system capable of fanless operation, the PICO-MTU4-SEMI from Vepac Electronics is easily deployed as part of larger equipment setups or integrated as the central unit of smart robotics solutions such as AGVs, AMRs and drones requiring minimal maintenance.
Read more...Future-ready I/O to redefine connectivity Schneider Electric South Africa
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Schneider Electric South Africa has launched its state-of-the-art Modicon Edge I/O NTS. This future-ready I/O redefines connectivity, data aggregation and operational efficiency for industrial applications.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version