Control System World

Shell has been chosen by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to participate in a 30-year joint venture (JV) to develop the major Bab sour gas reservoirs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Shell will hold a 40% equity stake in the JV, with ADNOC holding 60%.

The two companies will now enter a period of commercial and technical work leading to the development of the Bab sour gas reservoirs, which are 150 kilometres south-west of the city of Abu Dhabi.  It is intended that the JV will be the operator, and that the gas will supply the local market in the United Arab Emirates.

Peter Voser, Shell’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Shell is honoured to have been selected by ADNOC to develop the Bab sour gas reservoirs. We have more than 60 years’ experience of safe and successful sour gas field development globally and we will apply this experience, along with our leading research and development, and technology expertise, to the development of the Bab resource. We will also work closely with ADNOC to enhance the technical expertise of its workforce through effective knowledge transfer.

“We value our long and successful partnership with ADNOC, and look forward to continuing to play a role in helping the United Arab Emirates meet its energy needs.”

ARC Advisory Group has released its new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) for Oil and Gas Production and Pipeline Markets Supplier Selection Guide. The guide includes both selection criteria and guided workflow steps for choosing the correct SCADA and supplier. The scope of the criteria cover the needs of SCADA systems including communications with other systems, instrumentation, and networks. The guide has attributes tailored for oil and gas organizations, and allows those involved in a SCADA selection process to make quicker and improved decisions.

Dave Woll, VP Consulting, stated, “The need for a highly reliable SCADA system has never been more important than it is today. In addition, a modern SCADA needs to be able to easily integrate with other systems and technologies from a distributed remote environment, to the central site. Not only is it necessary to ensure uninterrupted flow of oil or gas, but it is also necessary to ensure the return on assets (ROA) that is required by all modern business practices.” Dave continued, “Many pipelines are operating with SCADA systems that are well over 20 years old. In many cases not only are the components difficult to find to maintain these systems, but also the personnel skills required to keep them functioning are becoming more and more scarce.”

For more information on the SCADA for Oil and Gas Supplier Selection guide, please visit our Supplier Evaluation and Selection Service.​

Moxa’s VPort 36-1MP box-type HD IP camera has received Class 1 Division 2 certification, verifying that it is safe for environments prone to flammable gases and vapors, such as tunnels, mines, oil & gas, and other petrochemical applications. The VPort 36-1MP is the world’s first extreme weather IP camera designed to work in temperatures ranging from -40 to 75°C, without a fan or heater, and without compromising on video performance. With intelligent video analysis and image optimization technologies built in, the camera delivers 720P HD H.264 multi-streaming with excellent video capture capability, both day and night, in low light conditions, and with fast moving objects.

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The Symposium will be held 2-7 June 2013 at the Rosen Shingle Creek.  This event will provide power generation industry leaders with information on the latest innovations in controls, instrumentation, cyber security, SmartGrid, regulatory issues and variable energy technologies, which impact the power generation delivery systems.

Each year this international conference, the largest single event of its type, brings together industry professionals in the power generation field with a primary focus on instrumentation and controls. We anticipate over 50 technical papers/presentations during joint sessions with fossil and nuclear focus, presented over a 3 day period. Additional schedule items include keynote messages from industry leaders, ISA and industry training sessions, EPRI Interest Group Meeting, ISA I&C Standards working group meetings, Honors and Awards Banquet, and vendor exhibits by key suppliers. There will also be an Opening Night Reception.

Message from the Symposium Chairman Bill Sotos:

'If you and/or your company are involved in Instrumentation & Control, automation, digital technology, wired and wireless communication, plant and performance software, asset and knowledge management, cybersecurity, and/or simulators and training for power generation, plan to attend the industry’s leading forum for sharing technology, application experiences, and best practices. ISA’s 2013 Power Industry Symposium (POWID 2013) covers all types of power stations -coal, nuclear, gas-fired, gas turbine/combined cycle, and renewable energy (hydroelectric, solar, and wind, and biomass), and smart grid, distributed generation, combined heat and power, and microgrids –all over the world.'

Online Registration

Event Website

ISA100 Wireless™ product demonstrations at the 2013 Hannover Messe Fair showcased peer-to-peer control, support for three different legacy protocols in a single ISA100 Wireless mesh network, and a gas sensor designed for SIL2 safety applications.

The object-oriented characteristics of ISA100 Wireless enables support for legacy (proprietary) protocols in wireless industrial networks. The Hannover demonstration included devices from FlowServe, Honeywell, and GE independently transmitting control information using proprietary protocols on a single ISA100 Wireless network. ISA100 Wireless’ object-oriented technology assures interoperability within a flexible framework, supports new protocols, and future proofs users’ wireless network investment.

Proprietary protocol support enables device suppliers to easily participate in ISA100 Wireless networks, opening up new market opportunities while mitigating the need/costs to convert their core technology. Legacy protocol support protects user investments in applications already installed at operational sites and enables ISA100 Wireless network evolution.

Peer-to-peer control was demonstrated using an ISA100 Wireless Yokogawa pressure transmitter communicating directly to an ISA100 Wireless Flowserve smart valve positioner. Communication for valve control was direct and did not pass through a gateway device or host system.

Duo-cast technology for reliability, only available with ISA100 Wireless, was highlighted in the Yokogawa product, which demonstrated superior data throughput for critical applications such as control in the field.

ISA100 Wireless’ superior technical features include:

• True, distributed control in the field (object technology in smart devices)
• Multiple protocols, including wired HART®, supported in a single network (object technology)
• Functionality beyond traditional WSN applications
• Time-enhanced, two-layer AES-128 based security, and support for all AES security levels
• Easy to use: provision over the air (OTA) or directly using out of band (OOB)
• Scalable and reliable network tested to 500 devices (to date)
• Proven reliability in congested wireless environments
• IPv6-based technology (6LoWPAN) for industrial applications, supports the ‘internet of things’

Since the Model 485 was first introduced by Amplicon over 20 years ago, thousands have been successfully installed by customers wishing to convert RS232 to RS422 or RS485 compliant signals. Used in pairs, they can extend RS232 connections up to 1.2km. Used individually they convert an industry standard RS232 port to anRS422/485 port and vice-versa.

Product Details for Models 485 and MA485"

• Isolated and automatic turnaround versions available
• Two or four wire operation
• Uncased and OEM versions available
• Many thousands sold - proven track record
• Automatic data rate detection
• Extensive manual provided

Product Data Sheet

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ABB, a global leader in electric power and automation, announced today that it has agreed to acquire Los Gatos Research (LGR) of Mountain View, California, to add a new line of high-performance gas analyzers to ABB’s leading measurement business.

The 19-year-old, nearly 40-person LGR provides analyzers and services to a wide range of customers needing real-time measurement of trace gases and isotopes for research and environmental monitoring. LGR's novel and innovative laser-based measurement strategies allow for non-destructive analysis of gases and liquids. The company’s analyzer technology is based on Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) that has a substantially higher sensitivity, precision and accuracy than other traditional sampling and laser-based technologies. LGR’s employees will join the global Measurement Products business unit in ABB’s Process Automation Division. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but it is expected to close in 3rd quarter 2013, subject to customary regulatory approvals. LGR’s revenues in 2013 are expected to be around $14 Million.

“LGR fills a gap in our technology portfolio and brings a host of new solutions that are vital to industrial customers, such as oil & gas production and transportation, combustion, emissions, power generation and environmental monitoring,” said Kishore Sundararajan, global business unit manager in Measurement Products. “This technology has tremendous promise, and we look forward to combining it with our product development and channels to market.”

With several options to select from, ASI can supply all your requirements for a busbar or power distribution connection system that is going to save you time and money. We can offer you single and multiple busbar options, screw clamp and spring clamp terminations, panel or DIN rail mounting and color coded terminations, to name a few.

During the month of May, you can save even more by taking advantage of the ASI “product of the month” campaign, busbar and power distribution products. Just use promo code POM0513 when you order any of the following products and save an additional 10% on your purchase.

Modular Busbar Products- The ASI modular busbar mounts either on a DIN rail or directly to the panel. This busbar system is available in single, double and three busbar mounting options. The 1 meter busbar can be cut to any length and the wire clamps accept 16 to 6 AWG wire and come in several colors for easy identification. Product Website

Multiple Busbar Modules, QBLOK Series- The ASI QBLOK multiple busbar modules are available in 2 and 4 bar modules, come with a removable clear insulating cover for easy and safe wire termination and can be mounted on a DIN rail. The busbars are pre-drilled, have wire termination screws and are arranged at an angle to simplify wiring. The QBLOK busbar modules are rated at 100 amps to 160 amps. Product Website

Single Busbar Strips-The single fully insulated busbar strips from ASI are available in either a screw clamp or a spring clamp wire termination. These easy-to-install busbars snap onto a DIN rail and are color coded for easy wire identification. With current ratings from 57 to 80 amps and 7 to 12 connection points they are ideal for small busbar applications. Product Website