Total E&P UK is a leading oil and gas company operating in the North Sea. In the Culzean gas field off the coast of the UK, the group is implementing an Operational Intelligence Platform (OIP) after a study verified demand for the Culzean gas deposits. The OIP is intended to enable efficient decision making and proactive operational management via access to timely data, data visualisation, monitoring/alerting capabilities and access to relevant systems and supporting documentation. Total opted to implement the OIP using plant engineering and operations intelligence software from Siemens. Breaking the project down into multiple phases allows all those involved a high level of flexibility and cost control, and also the opportunity to come up with a fast, efficient response to any arising challenges. Natural gas from the Culzean field is forecast to meet around five percent of total UK demand.
One of the main objectives behind implementation of the OIPl is to facilitate how information is handled, made available, and distributed. The aim is for the entire operations team to be able to access a jointly used information environment in which real-time data can be integrated seamlessly into maintenance and engineering data, affording personnel an overview of the Culzean asset’s performance and status at any time. The OIP is based on six main pillars: operations, health and safety, production, maintenance, planning and logistics, as well as the work areas of individual employees.
Smart software solutions
The platform is being realised using XHQ operations intelligence software and Comos Walkinside plant engineering software from Siemens. XHQ aggregates, relates and presents operational and business data in real time to provide personnel with a solid basis for performance management and decision-making. Comos Walkinside makes available 3D design data from the engineering phases and allows it to be used throughout the entire asset lifecycle. Implementation of the XHQ and Comos Walkinside software solutions for the project was managed by Siemens partner SLN Chemtech.
Step-by-step implementation
The project was implemented in multiple stages: proof of concept and verifying the performance of the tools used, commissioning, and joint solution development. Taking a cooperative joint approach to development along proved enormously helpful when it came to dealing with tricky and in some cases unexpected challenges.
Even in autonomous systems, human insight is important Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
As AI, IIoT and digital twins reshape industrial operations, Schneider Electric’s Kobus Vermeulen and Bafana Msibi argue that the operator’s role is shifting from controlling equipment to interpreting intelligence, validating AI recommendations and making decisions that improve
Read more...AI-based quality inspection scales across P&G operations Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens and Procter & Gamble are expanding an AI-based visual inspection system across P&G’s manufacturing operations worldwide, inspecting products in real time at full line speed, and reducing scrap rates by 10 to 20% depending on the product.
Read more...How sustainability unlocks real business impact Rockwell Automation
IT in Manufacturing
Sustainability has moved from a compliance obligation to a strategic driver of resilience and value for manufacturers. Rockwell Automation explains how its Triple A framework and connected-data approach help producers cut energy, water and waste while improving productivity.
Read more...Mining’s AI future will depend on people as well as technology
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa’s mining industry is embracing digitalisation and AI, but AvenirHoldings chief executive officer, Tshidi Mndzebele says the real test is whether the people behind the industry are equipped to move forward with it, and outlines five things mining needs to get right.
Read more...How BIC overcame operational silos to integrate technology and people Rockwell Automation
IT in Manufacturing
Manufacturing giant BIC deployed Plex MES from Rockwell Automation at its Bizerte plant in Tunisia, replacing fragmented, partly in-house software with a single cloud-based execution system that broke operational silos and improved shop-floor visibility.
Read more...AI in industry is an early warning system, not a guarantee Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s Paul Steyn argues that AI in industrial maintenance is only as good as the infrastructure and people behind it, and explains the three layers a facility needs before predictive maintenance can deliver on its promise.
Read more...SA’s mining industry must put people at the heart of its digital future
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa’s mining industry employs around 470 000 people while its digital transition accelerates. Avenir’s chied executive officer, Tshidi Mndzebele argues that technology should enable and upskill the workforce rather than replace it, setting out five ways mining can make technology work for its people.
Read more...Quality control supports efficient tissue production Valmet South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Valmet’s advanced quality control technology is helping tissue producers improve product consistency while reducing energy and raw material consumption. Its latest installation at KORO Paper in Vietnam combines real-time measurement, process optimisation and non-contact, nuclear-free quality control.
Read more...Patented algorithm maximises operator efficiency Rockwell Automation
IT in Manufacturing
Rockwell Automation piloted a patented anomaly detection algorithm and FactoryTalk DataMosaix at its Twinsburg electronics plant, giving operators 30 to 60 days’ advance warning of stencil failure, improving fail rates by 22% and achieving a 200% return on investment.
Read more...Measure, Manage, Maintain: The operating model behind SA’s water resilience Siemens South Africa
News
South Africa’s growing water crisis is putting pressure on infrastructure, municipalities and the economy. Siemens highlights how digital technologies, smarter operations and safe water reuse could help shift the country from crisis response towards a more resilient and sustainable water future.
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.