SUB-SEA PRODUCTION CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR THE OIL INDUSTRY USE GE FANUC'S HOT STANDBY SOLUTIONS
13 December 2004 - GE Fanuc Automation CNC Europe SA

GE Fanuc's Hot Standby Solutions for the oil and gas industry are being used in systems designed and installed by offshore subsea solutions specialist, eProduction Solutions, to ensure optimum reliability and safety. GE Fanuc Series 90-30Ô or
90-70Ô controllers, operating in redundant mode, monitor and control the process to provide security in the event of any failure within the control system.

The eProduction Solutions electro-hydraulic subsea production system is modular in design, providing the requisite monitoring, control and shutdown functions by means of multiplexed electro-hydraulic control. The production system is tied back to an existing platform from which the complete system is controlled and monitored via a Master Control Station. This MCS is based around a user workstation, together with dual redundant GE Fanuc Series 90-30 (Max-ON Solution) or 90-70 controllers. Both controller solutions provide interfaces to third party products, utilising GE Fanuc co-processor modules developed by eProduction Solutions' applications group.

The MCS controllers provide total system communication, control and monitoring functions for the electro-hydraulic subsea system. The GE Fanuc Max-ON configuration eliminates systematic and common mode failure points, and ensures that control switches automatically and seamlessly between PLCs in the event of a fault occurring. Built-in diagnostics provide split-second annunciation of system faults, pin-pointing any failure before it results in a process shutdown.

Using redundant GE Fanuc Genius LAN networks with VersaMaxÔ or GeniusÔ I/O modules the controllers control and monitor hydraulic and electrical power systems for subsea operation. Communication to the subsea system utilises a proprietary eProduction Solutions power/communication system via LONworks powerline protocol. The subsea modules are designed for deployment and intervention by either Diver or ROV methods.

With decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, eProduction Solutions provides turnkey solutions for automating onshore and offshore oil and gas production fields and monitoring of pipeline operations. These include Real-Time Optimisation Solutions, capable of providing web-based enterprise-wide management information, and Well Controller Solutions for sites producing oil and gas.

http://gefanuc-europe.com

More News:
  • For December 2004
  • From GE Fanuc Automation CNC Europe SA
  • For Drives and Controls