Converteam To Upgrade Petrobras P-XXIII
15 December 2009
Electrical engineering and power conversion specialist Converteam is celebrating the award of a contract to upgrade critical control systems on ultra deepwater drilling semi-submersible P-XXIII for Petrobras.
The contract covers the wholesale replacement of primary processors, operator interface and data gathering outstations for the integrated control systems covering functions such as power management, alarm and monitoring, ballast control, distribution control and valve control. In all, the system is designed for a little under 6,000 input/output points.
Converteam was the successful bidder for a similar project in 2008 to upgrade the dynamic position control systems on the P-XXIII.
And upgrade without disruption to the vessel
"The elements of the system that don't really age are to be left intact: the network cables, plant terminations, plant cabling and physical equipment enclosures such as consoles and outstation cabinets," says Tudor Jones, Converteam service manager in Macaé, Brazil. "By leaving these things in place we reduce time, expense and risk. It also means, however, that we have to engineer a solution rather than simply deliver standard products. But engineering is what we do, and I think that Petrobras have recognised this with the award of this important upgrade to Converteam."
As always, a commitment to long-term maintenance and support of the new systems was another crucial factor for Petrobras.
"We are glad that Converteam can engineer a solution for us," said Ari Nascimento of Petrobras. "We needed this upgrade to be completed with minimal impact on the vessel infrastructure such as major disruption to cabling. Converteam has offered us a top-class product which achieves our objectives and is part of a cost-effective overall solution to our problem of upgrading without major loss of time.
Early preparation for providing local support
Converteam will design and build the new control systems in the UK but will integrate engineers from their Macaé service centre into the project teams from the outset. Converteam's Brazilian engineers are being seconded to the UK for this project to become familiar with the systems prior to delivery. They will be an integral part of the team from system design through to sea trials. "This makes a massive difference to our ability to provide local support in Brazil for the long term," said Jones.
Converteam Group is a world leader in power conversion engineering. Building on over a century of experience, it is firmly placed at the leading edge of technology and innovation with a global reputation for excellence in the conversion of electrical energy. Converteam develops and provides solutions built around three core components: rotating machines, drives and process automation. It serves specialised sectors as well as its core markets in the marine, offshore oil and gas and energy industries. With over 5,000 staff members, the group provides power conversion solutions worldwide. At the end of 2008, the Converteam sales totalled €1,099,000,000.
