Invensys to supply Foxboro automation network for Kuwait Oil Company infrastructure modernization project

Invensys Process Systems has been selected to supply a new I/A Series mesh network-based Foxboro (www.foxboro.com) automation system for updating and expansion at two Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) crude oil gathering centers in the Burgan fields of South East Kuwait. KOC’s goals for the modernization project are to increase production capacity, improve safety and environmental practices, enhance water treatment and decrease gas-flaring. The overall project also includes gathering centers at several other oil fields, Invensys will provide the latest I/A Series system hardware and software, including the new Foxboro ATS (Address Translation Station) modules, which allow the new mesh control network to incorporate KOC’s prior generation I/A Series control systems into the expansion. SK Engineering and Construction Corporation of Korea will install the systems. Invensys Korea will provide engineering services and a range of technical training and site supervision services.

The Kuwait Oil Company production infrastructure comprises an extensive network of gathering centers that receive crude oil from many surrounding wellheads in the producing oilfields. These gathering centers throughout Kuwait are large multi-process plants that stabilize the crude in multiple stages, separating gas, water and salts from the crude to meet the specifications required for downstream operations or export shipping.

At each of two Burgan gathering centers, the Foxboro automation network will control a wide variety of processes including separators, desalters, wastewater handling, transmission, gas handling and well testing. These processes employ myriad gas turbines, pumps, compressors, generators, piping, storage tanks, vessels and other process equipment at each gathering center.

The award-winning Foxboro mesh network process control system backbone utilizes advanced commercial communications technologies in robust industrial configurations. Providing high-availability, self-healing network performance, the mesh architecture can connect thousands of stations at data speeds up to one gigabit between network switches.

The Foxboro ATS (Address Translation Station) modules will integrate existing I/A Series systems at the gathering centers into the mesh network. These modules enable I/A Series workstations and controllers on both mesh- and non-mesh-based networks to interoperate seamlessly. The integrated network will allow KOC to combine the existing and expanded processes into a single process control system with a common operator interface for all process elements. In addition to preserving KOC’s investment in existing controls, the network infrastructure offers the capacity to integrate future control system expansions.

The new implementation will extend Invensys presence within Kuwait Oil Company’s gathering centers. In addition to the existing Foxboro controls at two gathering centers in the Burgan oilfield, KOC presently employs Triconex (www.triconex.com) safety instrumented systems in two other gathering centers located at the Umm Gudair and Managish oilfields in West Kuwait. These fault tolerant triple-modular redundant systems provide high integrity and unmatched process uptime in emergency shutdown and fire and gas protection applications.

About Kuwait Oil Company

Founded originally in 1934, Kuwait Oil Company (www.kuwaitoilcompany.com) was in 1975 established as the government owned and operated oil company of the State of Kuwait. Kuwait Oil Company's responsibilities include exploration, drilling, and production of oil and gas within Kuwait, as well as the storage of crude oil and delivery to tankers for export. The mission of the Kuwait Oil Company is to explore, develop and produce in good marketable quantity the hydrocarbon resources in the State of Kuwait and Divided Zone, in accordance with government policy, good reservoir management practice, and by using the most efficient and economic means available. The company strives to ensure that its health and safety performance meets international standards, and that it meets environmental regulations. The company’s oil production infrastructure experienced a substantial rebuilding and recovery process following its destruction in 1991 following the Iraqi invasion.