CHANHASSEN, MINN (September 15, 2003) -- The smart multivariable nature of the Rosemount 3095MV transmitter from Emerson Process Management, coupled with the new MTL Instruments 8000 Series field-mounted Process I/O(tm) system, is enabling Shell UK Exploration and Production to reduce the cabling and complexity of flow data retrieval from well-heads on North Sea gas platforms. The multivariable approach reduces the number of instruments required; this plus efficient wiring of smart instruments delivers space-saving advantages for offshore production automation.The Shell gas production platforms recently installed offshore have been "Normally Unattended Installations" - where the platform size and dimensions have been reduced, for example, by not having a heli-deck.
This means the platforms can be placed in position using a drilling rig, reducing total installed cost by 30-50%. The Brigantine BG and BR platforms, and the Skiff platform 72Kms off the Norfolk coast have been built to this design.Each well-head is equipped with a Rosemount 3095MV with an associated venturi pipe section, to measure the gas flows received. Tests by Shell UK using the computed flow output from the Rosemount 3095MV transmitter for wellhead gas flow measurement have confirmed the accuracy of the algorithm used within the 3095 for the venturi pipe sections.
Using the multivariable nature of the transmitter the individual pressure, temperature and differential measurements are transmitted back to shore, together with gas flow rate and totalized values for each of the gas wells connected to the platform.The output from the 3095 transmitter is connected into the MTL8000 field mounted interface unit, which on the Shell Skiff platform accepts 16 input channels with HART digital communications. "All our applications of MTL8000 focus around well metering using the Rosemount 3095 MultiVariable transmitters," said Graham Lloyd, Senior Instrument Engineer at Shell UK.
"The 3095/MTL8000 combination serializes data in the field, close to the wellhead: it increases the flexibility of data handoff, and simplifies and reduces the weight of field cabling, termination and interfacing, eliminating bulky cabinets and 'Exd' boxes." Using HART, all the multiple variables available within the Rosemount 3095MV transmitter are retrieved and transmitted with the computed flow totals back to shore as serial data from the interface unit; this significantly reduces cabling requirements.
"We are in the process of fitting a further five platforms with this system, and will be adopting it on our new Carrack QA platform," said Lloyd.About Emerson Process Management Emerson Process Management ( www.emersonprocess.com ), an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries.
A division of Emerson, Rosemount ( www.emersonprocess.com/rosemount ) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of process instrumentation, including a complete line of pressure, temperature, flow, and level products.
Emerson brands include PlantWeb®, Rosemount®, Micro Motion®, Fisher®, DeltaVTM, Ovation®, and AMS.About Emerson Emerson ( www.gotoemerson.com ) is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers in process control, electronics and telecommunications, industrial automation, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, and appliance and tools.
Sales in fiscal 2002 were $13.8 billion.Rosemount and MultiVariable are marks of Emerson Process Management. HART is a mark of The Hart Communications Foundation. Process I/O is a mark of MTL Instruments Ltd.
All other marks are property of their respective owners.
