Process instrumentation moves to the platform

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 9, 2005

Vigilantplatform is billed as an innovative integrated approach for the control and automation of offshore oil and gas platforms.

Yokogawa has extended its Vigilantplant concept for process instrumentation and control with the introduction of Vigilantplatform: an innovative integrated approach for the control and automation of offshore oil and gas platforms.

Vigilantplatform brings together a number of elements to realise a fully integrated platform-wide system that can embody all aspects of platform operations.

Vigilantplatform brings together plant-wide digital networks, intelligent instrumentation, optimised control and integrated safety systems including such flagship products as the Centum CS3000 control system, the Stardom network control system and the ProSafe-RS integrated safety system.

The Centum CS 3000 is the sixth and latest version of Centum, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

The latest version employs various revolutionary technologies such as Foundation Fieldbus, and offers solutions for both plant control and plant-wide integration.

Such production support solutions include Exaquantum, a plant information management system that seamlessly integrates the production control system with the corporate management system; Exapilot, a plant operation efficiency improvement package that incorporates the expertise of skilled operators to create standardised, automated plant operation processes; and ProSafe-RS, a safety instrumented system that achieves complete integration with Centum CS 3000 and has been certified by TUV Rheinland for compliance of the system with IEC61508 and IEC61511 and for use in SIL3 applications.

Other key elements in the Vigilantplatform concept include the Stardom network control system, which can be linked with intelligent field instruments to complement a distributed control system in a dedicated application such as subsea wellhead measurement or control.

Among the Yokogawa range of digital field instruments is the recently introduced DPharp EJX differential pressure transmitter, which delivers stable and accurate process measurement with low installed cost and near zero maintenance.

Web-enabled technology allows these intelligent devices to continuously upgrade their capabilities online while keeping users informed of the plant floor conditions with dynamic predictive intelligence.