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with modern pipeline infrastructure that were simply not possible
with technology from more than 50 years ago. But part of the
enduring nature of older installations is that they can be retrofitted
with newer technology – particularly control and information
technology – as it becomes available. This can reduce the capital
costs for operators, but also creates different issues, not least
connecting together proprietary systems for control, maintenance
and management, and meeting the new security implications of a
more connected pipeline.
Modernising and connecting
Modern smart operations driven by the Industrial Internet of
Things (IIoT) can unite people, processes and technology in an
integrated network architecture. Modern systems help converge
business-level IT systems with station-level and terminal-level
operations technology (OT) systems to enable seamless
connectivity across an entire oil and gas operation – from the
pipeline to the oilfield, processing plant to the enterprise. Smart
operations use the latest integrated control and information
solutions to collect operational data and deliver it to workers as
actionable intelligence.
Today, modern systems are changing the oil and gas industry
as it is recognised. In particular, the IIoT enables the connection
of smart devices and systems to offer potential for pipeline
operators seeking to optimise their operations and address their
biggest challenges. This includes four key opportunities:
)
Improving control room management.
)
Achieving greater operations flexibility.
)
Addressing maintenance, reliability, and safety issues.
)
Complying with emerging security regulations.
Control room management
In order to be effective, pipeline operators need accurate,
real-time, and easy-to-understand data. Using enabling
technologies and the IIoT, operators can collect critical
operational data, contextualise it into easily understandable and
actionable information, and deliver the data to operators in real-
time to improve reliability and availability. Exception reporting
can direct operators to immediate areas of need, while advanced
alarming can help identify equipment issues before they progress
into failures. Altogether, this deeper and real-time asset visibility
can help operators track and respond quicker to maintenance,
operation, and flow-control issues.
Advanced visualisation software with faceplate-driven control
can also improve ease-of-use and simplify information access.
This can reduce information overload and help keep operators
focused on the most pertinent issues.
For example, one major energy infrastructure company had
an antiquated alarm system in place at one of its gas processing
plants. The system caused frequent nuisance alarms, requiring
undue attention from operators who lacked documentation to
determine how to accurately respond. The system also lacked
historical record keeping, hampering searches for alarm sources.
Installing an advanced alarm-management system can allow
for comprehensive visualisation of plant operations, and more
control over alarms and process variables. The result is that the
bursts of nuisance alarms that were distracting operators are
replaced with a system that can provide clear information about
alarm priority in a contextualised display.
Operations flexibility
Flexibility in pipeline operations is critical. Companies want to be
able to respond to fluctuating commodity prices and serve new
customers without delay. This can place several different burdens
on pipeline operators.
As a result, they must be able to quickly change the flow
route or destination and pump rate. This can be achieved using
the following methods:
)
A modern distributed control system (DCS). This combines
control and information and is vital at a pump station. An
information-enabled DCS allows sharing of information across
all facilities, which can enable agile and accurate decision
making.
)
A supervisory and data acquisition system (SCADA) which
provides functionality to connect multiple systems across
pump stations, compressor stations, and terminals.
)
Premier integration. This consolidates controller programming,
device configuration, and maintenance activities into a single
software environment. This can result in better controller-
to-device integration, as well as simplify configuration and
reduce start-up time when adjusting delivery routes.
Maintenance, reliability and safety
Modernising operations and taking advantage of connected
technologies can help pipeline operators address maintenance,
reliability, and safety challenges.
Many pipeline operations have amassed a mix of different
control products across multiple sites over a period of years or
decades. However, each product requires the right expertise and
spare parts to maintain it.
Standardising equipment as part of an upgrade can reduce
these maintenance demands and ultimately help improve
reliability. It also can lower the learning curve for new employees
and reduce the risk of losing crucial ‘tribal knowledge’ as older
workers retire.
Additionally, operational intelligence can help transform
maintenance from reactive to predictive. Operators can collect
asset data in real-time and easily put the data into context
through intelligent reports. Performing analytics and monitoring
asset performance helps operators catch issues and initiate repairs
before a failure occurs.
Safety
Transportation incidents are a leading cause of fatal workplace
injuries in the industry. Any opportunity to help take workers off
the roads should be embraced.
Remote monitoring can seamlessly integrate sensors,
hardware, software, and wireless connections to extract asset
information along pipelines. Rather than travelling to the assets,
operators can remotely view operating conditions, troubleshoot
issues and make adjustments, all from a centralised workstation.
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World Pipelines
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MARCH 2020