Automation improves safety on Russian field, Lukoil claims

Offshore staff

MOSCOW -- Lukoil has issued a review of its automated monitoring systems at the Yu. Korchagin offshore complex in the northern Caspian Sea, following a first year in service.

The systems provide remote monitoring of well drilling and completion; operational dispatch control; environmental monitoring; leak detection; supervision of liquid balance in the oil pipeline. There is a further system for equipment maintenance and repair, with all data sent to the remote ops 3D visualization center in ООО Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft.

This center will form part of a network of situational analysis centers which Lukoil is assembling to analyze geological, geophysical and other data from all its Russian fields, using 3D formation models.

Over 20,000 technological parameters are transmitted online via a protected satellite channel to the center in ООО Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft, which exercises automated control over all the engineering processes.

Lukoil also uses the data to analyze environmental impact parameters, and how oil would spread in the event of a spill.

Should an emergency situation arise, or if deviations appear in the operating modes of the equipment, the operational dispatch control automated system signals an alert for prompt intervention.

Lukoil claims that the automated monitoring systems have improved the quality and safety of its offshore operations. Various preventative measures have been taken to avoid potential emergency situations have been taken. Further mechanisms have been introduced to monitor the activities of contracting organizations engaged in well construction and field infrastructure development.

01/28/2011