Emerson applies digital tech to Broom offshore development

The project to expand automation of the Broom offshore development using PlantWeb architecture also involves expanded monitoring of operations on the Heather platform.

The digital automation approach using communications technology like Foundation fieldbus allows Heather to collect actionable diagnostics and process information from field devices and distribute the information to operations, maintenance and management.  The project continues the relationship developed between Emerson and Aberdeen-based engineering contractors Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) on previous offshore projects. The project also involves expanded monitoring of various aspects of the operation on the Heather platform, such as pressure measurement in the risers. Emerson field devices on Heather include Rosemount 3095MV Multivariable transmitters that provide fully compensated mass flow rate calculations in the field for orifice plate measurements. The mass flow rate is monitored from the complex Broom subsea systems based on orifice plate measurements. Two 8” nominal bore pipelines transport the oil to Heather, where the total flows are measured using Micro Motion Coriolis mass flowmeters before export to Sullom Voe. Production from the Broom field topped 20,000 barrels per day within two months of startup last August.Most of the control system on Heather is pneumatic, being the original control scheme installed on commissioning in 1977 when Heather was one of the first North Sea production platforms. The Heather and Broom fields are operated by Lundin Britain Ltd, a subsidiary of Lundin Petroleum of Sweden.