Oil and Energy

The 3PM will have dual functionality to achieve the requirements of both the Planning and Operations departments. This will enable Gassco to plan and book the maximum capacity available and enable the technical service provider, Statoil, to optimise the utilisation of the plant throughput during the daily operation of Kårstø. The solution will minimise operating costs, improve unit yields, increase production flexibility and meet future environmental constraints.

Svein Birger Thaule, Gassco VP Technology stated "Optimising operations in real time calls for very advanced modelling and solutions methodologies. The system from Invensys will enable Gassco and Kårstø to achieve our future operational targets".

“Following successes in refining & petrochemical process optimisation and upstream production management, this project award further underlines that ROMeo is fast becoming the standard for on-line optimisation in all areas of Hydrocarbon Processing. We are pleased to welcome Gassco to the growing number of major oil and gas companies currently deploying ROMeo based on-line optimisation”, said John Derbyshire, VP Invensys Global Solutions.

About ROMeo
SimSci-Esscor’s ROMeo (Rigorous On-line Modeling with Equation-based Optimisation) software is designed to enable plant engineers and management to model process units and optimise operations on a plant-wide or complex-wide basis. The system uses a combination of real-time plant data and current economic objectives to precisely replicate plant operations. Based on a rigorous model of the operating facility, the system calculates optimal process set points for the plant’s control system. It also helps determine the location and cause of operating constraints and problems. This one-model concept and state of the art graphical plug-and-play environment minimises build, implementation and maintenance costs, enabling processors to continue to capture the benefits of this investment in the long-term future.

About Gassco
Gassco AS is wholly owned by the Norwegian state, and serves as operator for the Gassled joint venture between oil and gas companies on the Norwegian continental shelf. Gassco is responsible as operator for transporting Norwegian gas to continental Europe and the UK through thousands of kilometers of networked pipelines.

The Kårstø processing complex north of Stavanger plays a key role in the transport and treatment of gas and condensate (light oil) from central parts of the Norwegian continental shelf. Dry gas – methane and some ethane – is transported on through Statpipe dry gas/Norpipe and Europipe II, while the natural gas liquids and condensate are exported by ship.

Kårstø ranks as one of the world’s largest producers of liquefied petroleum gases – ethane, propane and butanes – shipped to customers world-wide.

About Statoil
Statoil is an integrated oil and gas company with substantial international activities. Represented in 28 countries, the group had 19 326 employees at the end of 2003. Statoil is the leading producer on the Norwegian continental shelf and is operator for 20 oil and gas fields. One of the major suppliers of natural gas to the European market, Statoil is also one of the world's biggest sellers of crude oil.

Technical services are provided by Statoil for the Kårstø complex north of Stavanger which plays a key role in the transport and processing of gas and condensate (light oil) from important areas of the Norwegian continental shelf. The Kårstø expansion project (KEP2005) is currently under way to equip the complex for processing rich gas from Mikkel neighbour Kristin, operated by Statoil.

About SimSci-Esscor
SimSci-Esscor, an operating unit of Invensys plc, is a leader in the development and deployment of industrial process simulation software and systems for a variety of industries, including oil and gas production, petroleum refining, petrochemical and chemical manufacturing, electrical power generation, mining, pulp and paper, and engineering and construction. SimSci-Esscor solutions enable clients to minimise capital requirements, optimise facility performance, and maximise returns on investments in producing assets. SimSci-Esscor supports more than 750 client companies in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit the SimSci-Esscor Web site at www.simsciesscor.com.

About Invensys
Invensys is an automation, controls and process solutions Group working to create value for customers and investors. Our products, services, expertise and ongoing support enable intelligent systems to monitor and control processes in many different environments. The businesses within Invensys help customers in a variety of industries - including hydrocarbons, chemicals, oil and gas, power and utilities, rail, telecommunications, paper, food and beverage, dairy, pharmaceuticals and personal care - to perform with greater efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Process Systems (IPS) provides products, services and solutions for the automation and optimisation of plant operation in the process industries. APV specialises in process equipment engineered into systems and asset services for food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical and chemical clients. Eurotherm is a leading supplier of control and measurement instrumentation solutions and services to industrial and process customers. Rail Systems is a multinational leader in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of safety-related rail signalling and control systems. Climate Controls is a major provider of the components, systems and services used across the world to make commercial and residential environments safer, more comfortable and more efficient. Appliance Controls has the broadest system and component offering for the appliance industry worldwide.

The Invensys Group is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With 35,000 employees operating in 60 countries, Invensys helps customers to improve their performance and profitability, building value for end users and shareholders alike.

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