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TEAM EXPERIENCE · ENGINEERING
DESIGN OF
DISTRIBUTED PRODUCTION CONTROL CENTRES
Detailed design of two site control centres and a central dispatch centre for consolidating production information across an oil producer’s facilities.
CASE STATUSTeam experience
This case reflects the personal practical experience of COVAX experts gained through previous projects. COVAX was not a direct contractor under the relevant contract. All information about the client and the project location is confidential.
01 / CHALLENGE
BRING DISTRIBUTED FACILITIES INTO A SINGLE CONTROL ENVIRONMENT
Production data originated at numerous remote facilities and within existing automation systems. Effective operational control required a common architecture for collecting, processing, visualising and storing information.
The design provided for two site control centres and a central dispatch centre. Each centre was designed with its own server and operator layer, while the central facility included a system for storing historical data.
sites
centres
centre
production data
02 / ARCHITECTURE
THREE LEVELS OF DATA COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND CONSOLIDATION
01
Production facilities
Sources of process information, existing automation systems and programmable controllers.
02
Site control centres
Two centres with server equipment, WinCC OA and operator workstations.
03
Central dispatch centre
Top-level data consolidation and centralised storage of historical information.
03 / DESIGN OBJECTIVES
A UNIFIED INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT FOR DISPATCH CONTROL
- Consolidate production information from distributed facilities in a single environment
- Provide operators with reliable real-time data on equipment operation
- Establish a unified approach to displaying, processing and storing process data
- Prepare a design basis for further development of analytics and the calculation of production metrics
04 / PROJECT SCOPE
COORDINATED DESIGN ACROSS PROCESS AND ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES
Information architecture
A unified structure for collecting, processing and storing production information.
- OPC and Modbus TCP integration
- Servers and historical data
Control-room workstations
Operator workstations and display systems for the two site control centres and the central dispatch centre.
- Operator workstations
- Video wall and visualisation system
Rooms and building services
Comprehensive preparation of rooms for process equipment and personnel.
- Power supply and lighting
- Ventilation and air conditioning
Extra-low-voltage systems and documentation
Design solutions for safe operation and subsequent implementation of the facility.
- Structured cabling, video surveillance and access control
- Fire alarm system
05 / DESIGN OUTCOME
A DESIGN BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE CONTROL CENTRES
A comprehensive package of design solutions was developed for three interconnected sites, covering room preparation and building services, server equipment, operator workstations and process data integration.
The documentation defined the architecture of the future system and the scope of work for its subsequent implementation. Equipment supply, installation and commissioning were not part of the team’s scope.
The experts’ practical contribution was limited to developing design and cost-estimate documentation. Equipment supply, construction, installation and commissioning were outside the team’s scope.
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