Caister-Murdoch System III Virtual Operator™ System Passes Rigorous Performance Monitoring Period
04 December 2003
It has been over a year since, Multiphase Solutions, Inc. (MSi) of Houston, TX completed the supply and delivery of an upgraded, fit-for-purpose Virtual Operator™(VO) system, designed to operate and manage the expanded ConocoPhillips Caister Murdoch System (CMS) infrastructure, located in the UK Sector of the Southern North Sea, post-Phase III development.
The expanded CMS III Virtual Operator™ package has undergone a full-year of extensive performance monitoring, passing with flying colors. The CMS III Virtual Operator™ package incorporates key assets, as part of the client’s development plan, where additional fields were added to the existing offshore CMS multiphase network, hence referred to as “CMS Phase III”.
The CMS III Virtual Operator™ provides real-time, on-line closed-loop control and optimized operations of this complex multiphase gathering and transportation network. Virtual Operator™ handles the day-to-day operations providing a suite of functionalities including optimal blending production in this complex network; protecting wells from liquid load-up, sand-out and erosion; optimizing compressor speed and minimizing fuel usage; and passively and actively controlling liquid slugging and pipeline pigging, as well as providing multiphase leak detection.
Key CMS III Virtual Operator™ functionalities include:
- Real-Time, On-Line Pipeline & Asset Management
- Closed-Loop Control of Operations
- Production Control & Optimization
- Active & Passive Slugging Control
- Gas Blending Management & Control
- Topsides Equipment Control
- Well Metering (VMS) & Control
- VOR – Virtual Operator™ for Rampups
- VOS – Virtual Operator ™ for Separators
- FDG™ Operator Trainer & Offline “What-If” Analysis
- Liquid Holdup, Pig & Composition Tracking
- Model-based Multiphase Leak Detection
System robustness is a key issue because Virtual Operator™ provides closed loop control of operations and has been running 24-hours/day, 7-days a week, over the last six years.
The original Virtual Operator™ for CMS was installed back in 1996, interfaced to a Honeywell DCS. Prior to CMS Phase III, the most recent infrastructure additions to the CMS Virtual Operator™ was completed in 2000, incorporating all of the Shell Ketch-related modifications.
About Multiphase Solutions, Inc.
Multiphase Solutions, Inc. (MSi) is the world-leader in delivering field-proven, fit-for-purpose solutions for a broad range of the most challenging design, operations and control issues for today’s demanding oil and gas industry.
As an internationally-focused Engineering, Consulting and Software Systems company, MSi has established the reputation as a world-class, life-cycle solutions provider of technically-advanced and innovative solutions for the management and optimization of oil and gas production, gathering, transmission and distribution operations.
MSi’s wealth of experience stems from work on over 500 projects worldwide. Our client base includes large, integrated petroleum companies, national oil companies, smaller independent exploration and production companies, medium- to large-scale engineering contractors, and equipment manufacturers worldwide.
The Leader in Real-Time, On-Line Pipeline and Asset Management Systems
Over a decade of experience delivering advanced technical and business solutions to real world problems
