Integral Layout Optimization of Subsea Production Control System Considering Three-Dimensional Space Constraint

The subsea production control system, characterized by a complex and diverse structure and high cost, is one of the essential parts of a subsea production system. The rational layout of the subsea production control system is essential to reduce development costs and ensure safe production in offshore fields. Most previous studies on layout design in offshore fields have focused on the oil- and gas-gathering system. However, the layout of the subsea production control system has not thoroughly been researched to date and the seabed terrain and integral optimization have rarely been discussed. This paper focuses on the multi-layer star structure and multi-layer star-tree structure, two common layout structures of subsea production control systems, and establishes the corresponding model with obstacle and seabed terrain conditions. Obtaining the lowest possible total cost was the aim of the model. A hybrid algorithm combining the adaptive mutation particle swarm algorithm and the A-star algorithm was applied to integrally optimize the subsea distribution unit and umbilical touch down point positions, the pipe connection topology and pipe routes. The practicality of this approach is demonstrated by designing a layout with one FPSO and 22 subsea control modules. The results indicate that the multi-layer star-tree layout structure has a lower total cost compared to that of the multi-layer star layout structure. In addition, the results were compared with a case that ignores the seabed terrain, indicating differences in the total construction cost. This method provides engineers with quantitative references and reliable cost estimates to make decisions regarding the layout of the subsea production control system.

A Performance-Based Dispatching Rule for Decentralised Manufacturing Planning and Production Control System

Considering a Flow Shop production line in an Industry 4.0 setting where the Cyber-Physical System (CPS) and Internet of Things (IoTs) can be deployed, a newly Performance-based Decentralised Dispatching Rule (PDDR) is proposed. It combines known dispatching rules with the knowledge of the monitored production system state. The goal is to provide a novel dispatching rule based on production line performance oversight. The governance system considers the machine condition in terms of machine utilisation. Regarding the assessment scenario, the proposed rule has been tested and compared with the well-known Short Processing Time (SPT) and the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) rule in a higher generality way by taking into account unforeseen events that may occur in production (such as breakdowns, potential rework, micro-stops, and unplanned machine setups). The simulation results showed interesting results where the flexibility of this rule, as well as its practical use with real hypotheses are its main advantages.

Legacy Field Upgrades - Production Control System Lessons Learnt

This paper describes examples of functionality and equipment limitations encountered during the subsea field operational phase, and practical solutions to eliminate the limitations. It addresses changes and upgrades required to hydraulic, chemical and electric infrastructure. Modifications and upgrades, such as retrofit sensors, retrofit electric actuators, bypass connections and digital soutions are described. How a holistic obsolescence strategy can modernize the subsea functionality and let different generation systems coexist is further described.

Systematic Approach to the Assessment of Production Control Functioning at Hazardous Production Facilities of Oil and Gas Industry

One of the main causes of accidents at hazardous production facilities of oil and gas production is the inefficient work of production control over compliance with industrial safety requirements. At present there are no criteria for its assessment in the Russian legislation. It is established in the study that that production control in the industrial safety management system performs the role of «control» in accordance with the Shewhart-Deming cycle PDCA, and its main function is to work with nonconformities. In connection with the above, it is proposed to approach production control not only from the point of view of the process, but also from the system approach. To assess the system functioning, the criteria of «effectiveness», «efficiency», «integral indicator» are considered. It is established that from the point of view of proactivity in achieving the goals of production control, the most preferable is the assessment of the integral indicator of the production control system functioning. The considered existing and possible approaches to the assessment of the production control system and the statistical processing of the results of the expert assessment of nineteen parameters confirmed the need for a systematic approach. Based on this, the hypothesis of the production control system functioning is proposed and statistically substantiated, and four main parameters for calculating the integral indicator of the production control system functioning are considered. The built mathematical model based on the fuzzy logic clearly demonstrates the dependence of the integral indicator of the production control system functioning on the considered input parameters. The proposed proactive approach to the assessment of the production control system through nonconformity management is universal and applicable to the «control» function of any control system. It can also be used in the work of Rostechnadzor and be an incentive for enterprises to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the production control system.

Improvement of production control of coal mining enterprises with underground mining method

Production safety is one of the problems of competitiveness of underground mining enterprises, one manifestation of which is the reduction and minimization of the number of accidents and incidents of personal injury or even death. To solve this problem, it is necessary to improve the system of production control of coal mines in order to eliminate these factors. Relative indicators of accidents and injuries at underground coal mines of Russia in comparison with the average indicators are considered, and also importance of the human factor in the occurrence of dangerous production situations and the evaluation of their causes and effects are revealed. In addition, the article considers the most common violations of safety requirements for underground coal mining, analyzes the experience of foreign countries in improving the production control system, assesses the possibility of its application for improving production control at Russian coal mines, and determines main areas for implementing a risk-based approach at coal mining enterprises.