LAKE FOREST, Calif., Jan. 18, 2005 -- SimSci-Esscor, a unit of Invensys Process Systems, today announced that the Karsto natural gas liquids (NGL) facility in Norway plans to implement the ROMeo platform and Wonderware's IndustrialSQL Server software to improve production, planning and optimization throughout the facility. Wonderware is an operating unit of Invensys Systems, Inc. Use of SimSci-Esscor's online optimization solution is part of a large multi-million dollar contract with Invensys Process Systems to provide production, planning and optimization.
The Karsto processing plant that is located north of Stavanger, Norway is owned by the joint venture Gassled, and is operated by Gassco. Based on rigorous modeling technology provided in the ROMeo platform, a plant production performance model (3PM) will be used to plan maximum capacity utilization of the plant and assess opportunities for processing gas from new field developments. Statoil, which acts as the technical service provider (TSP) for Karsto, will also utilize the 3PM model for real time optimization of the facilities. In addition to implementing the ROMeo solution, the Karsto facility will be using the Wonderware IndustrialSQL Server real-time plant historian and associated data analysis tools.
Based on Microsoft's SQL Server technology, the Wonderware product will provide Karsto operators with immediate information access and a level of visibility to identify and correct any subtle process inefficiencies and product quality problems within the process plant." Optimizing operations in real time calls for very advanced modeling and solutions methodologies," explains Svein Birger Thaule, Gassco's executive officer of technology. "Several thousand measurement values will be fed into the model at any time in order to ensure that it represents actual operating conditions.
The 3PM solution provided by Invensys will enable rigorous and sustainable systems for production, planning and optimization at the Karsto processing facility, as well as lower the long term total cost of ownership of such a solution." The 3PM system from Invensys will enable Gassco and Statoil to maximize production capacity, improve production of the most profitable streams and book additional shipping capacity. The rigorous models will be tightly integrated into the planning process to improve planning with accurate feedstock assessments and balance yields and energy consumption as plant conditions change in real time. In addition, the 3PM system will enable improved production continuity with effective performance monitoring."
Building on our recent successes, this project award demonstrates SimSci-Esscor's continued commitment to providing comprehensive optimization technology and services to the processing industry," said Alastair Fraser, vice president of SimSci-Esscor's simulation business line. "By incorporating other advanced Invensys technologies such as Wonderware products, SimSci-Esscor is able to help customers achieve significant results through improved planning and production." SimSci-Esscor's ROMeo software is a rigorous online modeling with equation-based optimization solution designed to enable plant engineers and management to model process units and optimize operations on a plant-wide or complex-wide basis.
The system uses a combination of real-time plant data and current economic objectives to precisely replicate plant operations. Based on a rigorous model of the operating facility, the ROMeo system calculates optimal process set points for the plant's control system. It also helps determine the location and cause of operating constraints and problems. This one-model concept and advanced graphical plug-and-play environment minimizes build, implementation and maintenance time and costs thus enabling refineries to continue to capture the benefits of this investment in the long-term future.
About Gassco and Statoil
Gassco is responsible as the operator for processing and transporting Norwegian gas to continental Europe and the U.K. through thousands of kilometers of pipelines. The company carried 71 billion cubic meters of dry (sales) gas to market in 2003, corresponding to approximately 13 percent of European gas consumption. Statoil is the leading producer on the Norwegian continental shelf and is operator for 20 oil and gas fields.
It also acts as the technical service provider for Karsto.
About SimSci-Esscor
Visit www.simsci-esscor.com/us/eng/company/invensysoverview/default.htm
About the Wonderware and ArchestrA Business Units and Invensys
Visit www.wonderware.com
About Invensys Process Systems
Process Systems, a business unit of Invensys plc, provides products, services and solutions for the automation and optimization of industrial process plants. Invensys Process Systems includes industry-leading brands such as Foxboro, Triconex, SimSci-Esscor, Wonderware, and Avantis, whose products are installed in more than 100,000 plants across the world.
These range from small hybrid and batch plants to the world's largest refineries, gas plants, petrochemicals plants, power plants, pulp and paper mills, and mineral processing plants.The Invensys Group ( www.invensys.com ) is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With 35,000 employees operating in 60 countries, Invensys helps customers to improve their performance and profitability, building value for end users and shareholders alike.
