Offshore staff

ST. LOUIS, Missouri – Azerbaijan International Operating Co. (AIOC) has contracted Emerson Process Management to automate a new offshore platform in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea.

The Chirag Oil Project, to be completed in 2013 and operated by BP Azerbaijan, will allow further oil to be recovered from the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field.

As main automation contractor, Emerson provides measurement instruments and asset management, and automation systems to help BP operate the platform safely and efficiently.

The company will also supply project management services to ensure the equipment is properly installed and integrated to meet technical, budgetary, and schedule requirements.

As part of the integrated front-end engineering design team, Emerson has worked with BP for 18 months to define a digital automation system for the project. Its remit now extends to all automation engineering, acceptance testing, commissioning and configuration, and start-up, and it will also provide ongoing support of the automation system.

Tools deployed will include Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture – including FOUNDATION fieldbus communications, digital automation systems, asset management software, and intelligent field devices.

Additionally, a network of intelligent transmitters and valve positioners will provide continuous process and equipment health updates to allow potential problems to be identified before they affect operations. These predictive capabilities should help maintain high platform uptime.

AMS Suite predictive maintenance software will give online access to instrument and valve diagnostics and automatic documentation of field device maintenance information. This will assist platform maintenance and operational activities.

2/14/2012