Instrumentation - Core Energies

The instrumented system comprises three functional elements; the measurement device, the controller and the final control element; with the specification, operation and maintenance of each, dependent upon a diverse range of criteria from process, chemistry and metallurgy through to criticality and response times.

With advances in technology, the traditional areas of Flow, Level, Pressure and Temperature have been expanded to include complex on line analysis and an array of safety systems such as fire and gas detection.

Front End Engineering

The Front End Engineering phase of a project is used to provide basic engineering development to a conceptual design or appraisal to allow a detailed scope, schedule and cost estimate to be prepared as the basis of detailed design development.

This stage is frequently used as the final basis for overall project sanction.

Project Management

Whether a completely new (Greenfield) installation or a (Brownfield) upgrade, the general principles of project engineering associated with multidiscipline projects such as planning, change control, cost control, resourcing etc. are all applicable to instrument-based projects.

However, projects of this nature tend to involve smaller teams of specialists with increased technical demands on the project team and where an understanding of the specific technical requirements and challenges is essential.

ICSS Upgrades

The operational design life for the majority of offshore upstream oil and gas installations is typically in the region of 25 years.

Improvements in technology have made marginal fields more economically viable and have effectively extended the life. This life extension also applies to the integrated control and safety systems.

We provide expertise and tailored solutions for the design and execution of replacement or upgraded systems. This is to meet current and potential requirements including latest design requirements. This is a major challenge given the specific restrictions and challenges associated with Brownfield installations.

Operations Support

The onshore operations engineer is typically the focal point for all offshore technical queries, maintenance and service support as well as acting as the project sponsor and in some cases the budget holder for minor offshore modifications.

We have experience of supporting our Clients in these roles both on a part time and full time basis during times of high workload or we can step into the position if it becomes temporarily vacant within the Client Company.

Technical Authority

The Technical Authority (TA) is responsible for the technical assurance and compliance of all instrumented systems in line with company, corporate, national and international standards and guidelines.

The TA may also be responsible for the development of company and corporate standards but will regardless be the approver for any deviation. There are two forms for this role; as part of the onshore support team where assurance is applicable to the day-to-day operations or as part of a specific project team where assurance is applicable to the design.

Start-up and Commissioning

Start-up and commissioning is part of the overall design verification, validation and operational readiness process.

This process ensures that the system meets specification and that Operations can accept responsibility for safe and efficient operation of the asset.

The process is achieved through the production and implementation of commissioning and start-up procedures which are generally witnessed and approved by offshore operations and an independent verification body. These documents can be prepared and implemented by the design team or by a 3rd party.

Decommissioning

Although developments in technology are extending the design/operational life of North Sea Oil and Gas Installations, ultimately all of these will have to be decommissioned.

There are various factors to be considered for this process including platform size, water depth, abandonment of wells and pipelines to name but a few. There is no common approach that can be applied to all. The decommissioning process itself can take several years from sanction which will necessitate the phased decommissioning of certain safety systems such as fire and gas and utilities. Experience in this area is limited due to the fact that less than 5% of North Sea Installations have reached this Stage.

Instrumentation is the art and science of measurement and control of process variables within a production or manufacturing area.

WE’RE READY, ARE YOU?

We’re here to help you with the day-to-day challenges you’re facing in your operations – get in touch to see how we can help.