What is SCADA? Applications in the Oil and Gas Industry

This article intends to address the basics of SCADA and its applications in the oil and gas industry and to educate on some of the field equipment and instrumentation that supports industrial control systems.

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What is a SCADA system?

SCADA (Supervisory control and data acquisition) is a control system complex that uses computers, communication networks, and a computing platform for real-time process management. The SCADA system relies upon other peripheral devices, such as a PLC and PID controllers to interface with the process plant or machinery to regulate flow, pressure, temperature, and other industrial process variables. SCADA is an industrial control system (ICS).

What is the purpose of an industrial control system?

By monitoring real-time information, SCADA shows how process equipment is performing. Sensors on equipment send the info through RTUs (remote terminal units) and PLCs. By doing so, a SCADA system can pinpoint anomalies in a process, by comparing real-time data against the data collected, creating alarms to alert the operator to control by taking action to address an issue, permitting maintenance personnel to make more informed and efficient decisions. The data acquired can easily be presented in reports and documentation.

Applications and Functions

SCADA systems are used in various industries, particularly in manufacturing, building/facility environment automation, mass transportation, traffic signals, electric power generation, water distribution, and of course, in the transmission and distribution of natural gas.

Applications

• Oil and gas gathering, transmission and distribution
• Tank farm monitoring
• Renewable resource research
• Asset management
• Advanced protocol conversion
• Downhole sub-pump monitoring
• Meter Stations
• Compressor Stations
• Valve Stations

Functions

• Control, monitoring, and remote measurement
• Asset optimization with greater visibility
• Enhance safety through streamlining process information
• Gather, process and record real-time data
• Connect employees and equipment through human-machine interface (HMI) software

Field Equipment and Instrumentation

Linc Energy Systems does not sell SCADA systems; we do, however, sell many field devices that interface with SCADA systems. Examples of such products include odorant injection systems, valve lubrication systems, gas flow measurement, and control equipment, transmitters, electronic gas volume correction, industrial thermoelectric generators, and even equipment such as fiberglass enclosures and buildings, to protect such material.

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Image credit- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Freer Water Control and Improvement District – Diana Adame, CC BY 2.0