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A new support facility that allows proof-testing of all change software prior to delivery offshore, has been opened by Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd, a CNOOC Limited company, and housed on its behalf at the Altens, Aberdeen premises of ABB. The facility ensures that the UK鈥檚 largest producing field remains in production, even during periods of online modification.

The Nexen Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS) Development Suite is a full-scale replica of Nexen鈥檚 offshore control network for its Buzzard field. It allows ABB to perform configuration management and comprehensive testing of all software changes prior to installation on site. The facility helps prepare for planned offshore visits and improves the level of operational support provided from base, to facilitate technical troubleshooting and maintenance.

The Development Suite contains a representation of all offshore controllers for Process Control System (PCS) as well as Safety Instrumented System (SIS) controllers for Fire and Gas System (FGS)/ Process Shut Down (PSD). A suite of servers replicate the offshore 800xA aspect and connectivity network. The suite houses ABB鈥檚 Extended Operator Workstation (EOW) 鈥� its large interactive visual display that simplifies engineering and troubleshooting tasks. Over time this will be used to develop the Level 0 graphical displays to be used in future control room improvements to further enhance Buzzard uptime.

ABB鈥檚 Oil and Gas Service Manager for the UK and Caspian, Troy Stewart, says: 鈥淔ollowing discussions about the development of Nexen鈥檚 maintenance and operational strategies, ABB proposed a dedicated Nexen working environment. This gives Nexen the ability to carry out any troubleshooting, modifications or upgrades prior to the work being implemented offshore, where the risks to production are much higher.鈥�

The facility forms a major part of ABB鈥檚 contract to provide maintenance support for the Buzzard ICSS. Adds Stewart: 鈥淭his is an example of truly collaborative working, where a client鈥檚 longer-term needs were discussed, a plan was put in place and then actioned through to completion for the improvement of the contract. The development suite allows expanded scopes which previously could not have been tested onshore.

鈥淚n order to meet rising production and cost efficiency targets, collaboration between Nexen and ABB is important. This type of set-up goes a long way to addressing these needs by significantly reducing manpower offshore, thereby lowering costs and increasing safety.鈥�

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