I believe that automation is a very inexpensive and smart way to evolve a plant’s operation and controls, and definitely decreases cost and down time. For how long and in which companies have you been involved in the automation space? I have been involved in automation since I started my career in 2001 - Ideal Services Inc. and Mustang Cat both from a power generation aspect, Dresser-Rand from a compression/turbine and heavy machinery aspect for onshore and offshore projects, and now BP from an overall operational aspect including all topside and subsea. In that time what is the most exciting or innovative automation project that you’ve been involved in? Can you give a brief description? One of the most exciting projects was the commissioning of an Expander unit in Paulinia, Brazil. That project was very rare as it was using CO (Carbon Monoxide) gas pressure from the regenerator of a refinery to create about 15MW of free energy. The automation for this project was very interesting and complex. Why is well site automation with regard to PLC and RTU selection so important in the industry right now? The short answer is cost saving. I believe that automation is a very inexpensive and smart way to evolve a plant’s operation and controls, and definitely decreases cost and down time. What kind of benefits can an effective PLC or RTU choice offer an operator? Smooth operation, maximum effectiveness and efficiency, preventive maintenance and high safety standards. What are the main considerations in establishing a successful data collection and analysis program? Other than using reliable instruments, which is a common goal between all the industries, having the right instruments, collecting the relevant information and establishing the right rules with the OEMs in order to analyze the collected data are in my opinion on top of the considerations list. What are you most looking forward to at the Well Site Automation initiative? Sharing new ideas and information with different E&P companies with a focus on the ones related to financial savings during this cost reduction era. Can you give us a taste of the specific issues that you will discuss at the congress? In a nutshell, I will mostly discuss the power of preventive maintenance and how PLCs and RTUs can help improve a plant’s safety, efficiency and reliability. Almost all of the majors are involved in large-scale well site automation, but what would you say to smaller companies that are considering an automation program? I would advise smaller companies to get familiar with the financial and operational downsides of using obsolete control systems and on the importance of upgrading old equipment. I am sure automation is a strong business case that they will be willing to invest in. What do you see as being the next area of progress in the automation space? Virtual plant operation is a scary concept to many but I believe automation is the definition of replacing “manual” operation and this will target a more “human error free” world. It definitely scares some people but to me virtual is next. NORTH AMERICA’S FLAGSHIP 100% E&P DRIVEN INITIATIVE www.wellsite-automation.com Reducing Costs And Maximizing Production Through SCADA And Automated Technologies 27 th -28 th January 2016 | Houston | Texas PRE-CONFERENCE INTERVIEW: Rami Mir Automation Specialist GOM BP Organised by I am sure automation is a strong business case that small companies will be willing to invest in.
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I believe that automation is a very inexpensive and
smart way to evolve a plant’s operation and controls, and definitely decreases
cost and down time.
For how long and in which companies have you been involved in the automation space?
I have been involved in automation since I started my career in 2001 - Ideal Services Inc. and Mustang Cat both from a power generation aspect, Dresser-Rand from a compression/turbine and heavy machinery aspect for onshore and offshore projects, and now BP from an overall operational aspect including all topside and subsea.
In that time what is the most exciting or innovative automation project that you’ve been involved in? Can you give a brief description?
One of the most exciting projects was the commissioning of an Expander unit in Paulinia, Brazil. That project was very rare as it was using CO (Carbon Monoxide) gas pressure from the regenerator of a refinery to create about 15MW of free energy. The automation for this project was very interesting and complex.
Why is well site automation with regard to PLC and RTU selection so important in the industry right now?
The short answer is cost saving. I believe that automation is a very inexpensive and smart way to evolve a plant’s operation and controls, and definitely decreases cost and down time.
What kind of benefits can an effective PLC or RTU choice offer an operator?
Smooth operation, maximum effectiveness and efficiency, preventive maintenance and high safety standards.
What are the main considerations in establishing a successful data collection and analysis program?
Other than using reliable instruments, which is a common goal between all the industries, having the right instruments, collecting the relevant information and establishing the right rules with the OEMs in order to analyze the collected data are in my opinion on top of the considerations list.
What are you most looking forward to at the Well Site Automation initiative?
Sharing new ideas and information with different E&P companies with a focus on the ones related to financial savings during this cost reduction era.
Can you give us a taste of the specific issues that you will discuss at the congress?
In a nutshell, I will mostly discuss the power of preventive maintenance and how PLCs and RTUs can help improve a plant’s safety, efficiency and reliability.
Almost all of the majors are involved in large-scale well site automation, but what would you say to smaller companies that are considering an automation program?
I would advise smaller companies to get familiar with the financial and operational downsides of using obsolete control systems and on the importance of upgrading old equipment. I am sure automation is a strong business case that they will be willing to invest in.
What do you see as being the next area of progress in the automation space?
Virtual plant operation is a scary concept to many but I believe automation is the definition of replacing “manual” operation and this will target a more “human error free” world. It definitely scares some people but to me virtual is next.
NORTH AMERICA’S FLAGSHIP 100% E&P DRIVEN INITIATIVE
www.wellsite-automation.com
Reducing Costs And Maximizing Production Through SCADA And Automated Technologies
27th-28th January 2016 | Houston | Texas
PRE-CONFERENCE INTERVIEW:
Rami Mir Automation Specialist GOM BP
Organised by
I am sure automation is a strong business case that small companies
will be willing to invest in.
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