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Schlumberger Acquires Exclusive Distribution Rights to BabelFish
Production Operations Integration Software for Upstream Oil & Gas
Schlumberger today announced the acquisition of exclusive distribution rights in the upstream oil and gas industry for the BabelFish production integration software from ISS Group, Ltd. Australia.
"The ISS Group technologies complement the Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) production operations offering and expand our ability to deliver digital oil field solutions," said Tony Bowman, president, SIS. "In combination with our Avocet* production data management, surveillance, analysis and modeling solutions, the BabelFish web-based visualization framework will give production engineers and managers immediate access to actionable information-to proactively monitor and make adjustments to operations systems."
BabelFish is a framework that enables integration of diverse data from multiple production operation systems, field equipment and management applications. Data is logically grouped and graphically displayed to mirror an organization's exact real-time operational environment.
Shane Attwell, managing director of ISS Group, said, "We are extremely delighted to be a part of this significant agreement. It combines the advanced BabelFish visualization and operations solution and the Schlumberger global sales force and service capability to deliver a unique value proposition to oil and gas operators wishing to take the next steps to digital asset management."
Date 28th May 2008
SunPine AB Chooses Invensys for Biodiesel Process Simulation in Sweden
Invensys Process Systems (IPS) has announced that the Swedish bio-refinery SunPine AB, will use Invensys SimSci-Esscor's PRO/II simulation software for modeling a new biodiesel refining operation in Piteå, Sweden. The new plant, which is a member of the Solander Science park biofuels collaboration, converts crude biooil byproducts of pine pulping into second-generation biodiesel for shipment to diesel refining facilities.
"Efficient operation of the distillation column is critical to profitability of biodiesel production, impacting cost, output and regulatory compliance. The more accurately we can simulate our operation, the more effectively we can optimize availability and utilization of the distillation column. We are confident that the PRO/II simulation software has all of the functionality that we need for this important objective," said Magnus Wikman, acting managing director for SunPine AB.
SunPine will be using a newly patented process to manufacture biodiesel from a main feedstock of crude tall oil (CTO), a byproduct of pine pulping, and combine it with vegetable oils such as Jatropha or Castor oils to create crude tall diesel (CTD). With environmental approvals recently in place, SunPine AB will begin initial construction in the summer of 2008, with biodiesel production start planned for October 2009.
"By combining advanced simulation and modeling with its unique biodiesel distillation operation, SunPine AB will be well-equipped to meet cost control, output, and regulatory challenges in this new industry. We are very pleased that they have chosen our PRO/II modeling solution to augment their process. PRO/II software has power and flexibility that is well-suited to this emerging market," said Joseph McMullen, PRO/II product manager for Invensys.
PRO/II software is especially well-suited to biofuels production. Recent enhancements, for example, enable addition of custom unit operations calculations via a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. This can model any proprietary or specialized process that can't be modeled using PRO/II's rigorous standard unit operations. This is important because many of the processes used in the production of biofuels cannot be modeled accurately with traditional unit operations. Since the development of the initial proprietary correlations of the process is usually done in Excel, the use of the Excel unit operation in PRO/II allows the user to capitalize on the initial correlations and reuse the work they have already done in Excel.
IPS recognizes the importance of biofuels for future world energy needs and is working closely with the biofuel producers to make sure that their assets perform at peak. The next few releases of the PRO/II software will include application examples and training problems. IPS will also be highlighting its presence in the biofuels market with a series of presentations, publications, and customer testimonials built around the use of PRO/II software in biofuels production.
The contract with SunPine AB is representative of IPS' growing presence in the biofuels industry. In addition to simulation and modeling software, Invensys has control systems, process instrumentation, and cyber security solutions in place in numerous biofuel production operations throughout the world.
Date 7th May 2008
Wireless World First for Offshore Workers
Schlumberger and BT today announced the launch of the world's first public wireless broadband service for offshore and remote oil and gas drilling rigs and production platforms. This pioneering service means that offshore workers can now communicate more easily with friends and family back home using e-mail, instant messaging and web cam.
The service, installed by the Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS), has been operational on the Byford Dolphin rig in the North Sea during a three month trial. Wireless connectivity is provided over the rig's main satellite link. The Wi-Fi service allows the 100+ workers to use wirelessly enabled laptops and PDAs, throughout the rig accommodation area, to access the internet as they would from any BT Openzone hotspot onshore.
The Byford Dolphin rig, managed by Dolphin Drilling Ltd, operates primarily in the North Sea. Despite the rig moves and distances, rig workers are still able to use Wireless Broadband to communicate with loved ones and friends back home.
Because of the success of the trial, Schlumberger will now roll-out the public wireless service globally for remote and offshore drilling and production operations. Demetrios Stellas, vice president for Digital Infrastructure, SIS, said: "Our industry is continually looking for new ways to improve the welfare and wellbeing of offshore and remote workers. Increasingly, offshore workers expect to have access to the internet services that they can get at home. We believe that this new service will be recognized as a real benefit by oil workers who often work in harsh and difficult environments both offshore and in frontier locations."
Tim Passingham, general manager for BT oil and gas, said: "The BT and Schlumberger offshore wireless connectivity service allows the industry to realize further the benefits promised by the Digital Oilfield. We're proud to be working with Schlumberger in partnership to provide this service for offshore workers away from home that will improve their quality of life."
Users can buy vouchers onboard or can subscribe to the service online. UK-based BT Total Broadband customers, who are members of the BT FON community and receive inclusive Wi-Fi minutes, can also take advantage of these when they are away working on the rig.
Date 23 April 2007
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