ABB upgrading automation, control equipment at North Sea Buzzard field

The program should allow the platform to remain in operation during the installations.

CNOOC Petroleum Europe has asked ABB to perform modernization upgrades to the automation and control systems on the Buzzard platform in the UK central North Sea.

The company will upgrade the already installed ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system and Safeguard 400 safety system in a phased process, so that the updates can be introduced while the platform remains operational.

ABB’s engineering team in Aberdeen, which also supports the Buzzard platform through an onshore reference system used for testing and evaluation, will manage the program. 

Through verifying the upgrades onshore prior to the offshore deployment, the company said, CNOOC should benefit from reduced risk, minimized disruption and continuity of production.

Exclusive content:

ID 128849239 © | Dreamstime.com
FPSO in the North Sea
Recent advances in digital engineering, data integration and AI are reshaping how FPSOs are designed, maintained and operated, enabling more predictive, automated and safer offshore...
May 15, 2026
ID 385720480 © Iryna Kushnarova | Dreamstime.com
offshore oil and gas workers
Offshore surveyed industry professionals from a cross-section of operators, contractors and service companies to assess how the energy industry views pathways to reducing offshore...
May 15, 2026
Courtesy Shape Digital
Shape Lighthouse is an Intelligent asset management system
Shape Digital CEO Felipe Baldissera discusses how offshore operators are testing digital decision support under real operational constraints.
May 6, 2026
Courtesy Expro
iTONG technology in a well construction operational scenario
This Gulf of Mexico (GoM) trial demonstrates how automation and integrated data systems can deliver faster connection times, enhanced safety and predictive maintenance capabilities...
April 24, 2026
Courtesy Oceaneering
Oceaneering Vision 3D data visualization software platform
Alan Curtis, SVP and retired CFO of Oceaneering International, explains how remote inspection and data-driven integrity management are influencing safety outcomes, capital planning...
March 19, 2026

About the Author

Jeremy Beckman

Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.

Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates