What is assay knowledge management?

Guest Blogger, Emma Price, Customer Relationship Manager for Spiral Software

Spiral was founded with a vision to transform the oil industry’s use of software, helping to maximise the value of every drop of crude oil. The inspiration behind this was twofold.

Firstly, the evolving industry context creates new challenges and opportunities. Refiners are seeing a more diverse feedstock market than ever before—diverse in both quality and pricing. There are now many crude oils available which present some processing challenges in return for a discounted market price. At the same time, product specifications are becoming more stringent and legislation is tightening around safer operational limits. Put together, this makes a confident understanding of feedstock refining behaviour more important than it has ever been.

Secondly, the new capabilities of information technology enable effective collaboration, even across huge global organisations. It is perfectly realistic to gather real-time information from operating sites and provide meaningful analytics that help users collaborate to make the best possible decisions. This is the step from looking at assay data as simply a set of laboratory measurements to seeing it as “assay knowledge”: bringing together assay measurement with operational data, refinery models, past experience, market information and even news feeds.

This is what we mean by “assay knowledge management” and since 1998, our tools span this whole space: from traditional implementations at laboratories that help them validate and work-up assay data, through to oil major implementations with over 2,500 users in a single enterprise, spanning every area of the business, across upstream exploration, feedstock trading, strategy and operations.

This pushes well outside the bounds of legacy assay management software. For example, some of the largest commodity trading companies use our tools to run thousands of cases to understand how markets would react to feedstock and refining capacity changes. In parallel, engineering and consulting companies use our tools to analyse strategic investments, understanding the future value and risk of capital investments and green field developments.

Look for the upcoming webinar!

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Happy Holidays everyone

Happy Holidays everyone!

I am currently on vacation, so the posts will be scarce over the next week or so.

Happy New Year everyone.

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Setpoint changes

Setpoint Changes 

Deciphering whether or not a setpoint change will have a positive result is difficult.  Although not always necessary, operators do change setpoints routinely. Invensys Operations Management has recognized this issue and has developed online optimization software to help operators make informed decisions when altering setpoints. 

Optimization software has been around for years, and depending on the software model, this software is excellent at crunching the numbers and taking into account current costing information and all of the operation possibilities. The most important aspect of this process, however, is interpreting the data to make informed decisions. This is where ROMeo optimization software serves the market. ROMeo integrates with Wonderware Intelligence to form a new product called ROMeo Intelligence. Invensys Operations Management fused the power of the technical data analysis of ROMeo with the visually pleasing data presentation of Wonderware Intelligence. Now, both engineers and business people can easily interpret technically complex data and key performance indicators calculated with ROMeo through Wonderware Intelligence dashboards and displays. ROMeo Intelligence allows operators to understand how altering a setpoint will impact the plant’s profitability.  With a quick glance at the dashboard, an operator, engineer, or manager can quickly interpret the plant’s performance and profitability.  Plant managers can trust that operators are now making informed decisions when it comes to altering setpoints with Invensys’ ROMeo Intelligence.

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Invensys Event: New solution for aging workforce, operator training, worker productivity

Aging Workforce? Operator Training? Improve your bottom line with modern, efficient training techniques Join us on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire for a rare insight into how companies are using simulation and virtual reality technologies to optimize workforce performance – to dramatically reduce “time to experience” for their technical workforce. Learn how you can: Continuously improve workforce performance Measure proficiency and competency Attract the next generation of technical talent Improve retention of your best people Improve safety and avoid operational pitfalls Dr. Peter Martin, VP Business Value Solutions, Invensys, will discuss a new strategy for achieving workforce performance excellence.You’ll see a live demo and also learn from your peers as a special guest speaker, a simulator training expert in the field, will explain his company’s experience with this novel approach to training. Seating is limited. Please register now to reserve your seat.		Where Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire - 255 Barclay Parade Southwest Calgary, AB T2P 5C2, Canada, (403) 266-7200 When Tuesday, January 22, 2012, 2 to 4 p.m.; Drinks and appetizers 4-5 p.m. Who should attend? CEOs, CTOs, VPs, Plant Managers, Operations Managers, Human Resource Managers, Training Managers, Engineering ManagersSpeaker Peter Martin, Vice President, Business Value Solutions Peter is credited with leading the enterprise control movement toward converging real-time accounting measures with operational KPIs as the basis for driving measureable bottom line performance improvements.
Copyright © 2012-2013 Invensys Inc. All rights reserved. 10900 Equity Drive | Houston, TX 77041 USA | 1.713.329.1600

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Selecting components & Thermodynamics in VISUAL FLOW

Selecting components in VISUAL FLOW

 

1. Start VISUAL FLOW and open a Flare Document  

    

2.       Place a Vessel on the Flowsheet

3.       Double click on the vessel to open the Vessel Data Entry Window

4.       Select the required components from the available databases and click add

, this will add the needed components for a specific vessel.

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PVT data generation using PIPEPHASE

PVT data generation using PIPEPHASE

1.       In the attached PIPEPHASE model the objective was to generate the PVT data for black oil at a temperature range of (90 – 110 C) and pressure range of (10 – 400 bar).

2.   After building the flowsheet go to

3.       Click new Property Set and enter the Black oil data.

4.    Click on Generate PVT Table button to specify a file name and to enter the temperature & pressure ranges

and click OK.



5.    A message will pop up that the PVT file will now be generated.

6.    Run the simulation and to check the PVT data go back to the Enter Thermodynamic or PVT data window > Tick Use PVT data > Edit Excel PVT file.

  

7.       PVT data for the given black oil and the defined range gets displayed in Excel.



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Free Webinar - 18 Dec: Aging Workforce? Operator Training? Employee Recruitment & Retention? Proficiency Management? Talent Gap?

Aging Workforce? Operator Training? Employee Recruitment & Retention? Proficiency Management? Talent Gap?

Why attend:

• Learn how to improve the performance of your most valuable assets

• Learn how to attract the next generation of technical talent

• Learn new methods to improve safety and avoid operational pitfalls

• Learn how other companies are dealing with inexperienced operators

• Discuss your experience with an expert in operator training

REGISTER HERE

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What does the Invensys acquisition mean for Spiral?

Guest Blogger, Emma Price, Customer Relationship Manager for Spiral Software 

Last month, Spiral joined the Invensys family of companies. From the first we heard about it, the response across Spiral has been very positive: Invensys has an excellent reputation and we could all see the great potential synergies between our companies. After much anticipation, the way the actual deal was celebrated actually reflects the overall sense of the process: we all came together in our lunch room and enjoyed some celebratory cake before heading back to work.

This business-as-usual approach is important. Spiral has been growing rapidly and this acquisition will allow us to continue concentrating on software development, benefiting from Invensys’ global capabilities as well as the portfolio of industry-leading tools. The fit between our tools is amazing: there is almost no duplication, and the two tool sets fit perfectly together to make an end-to-end solution, from trading through to planning, scheduling, operations and onto logistics.

As Matthew, our CEO, said “Joining Invensys allows us to remain focused on software development and our customers will continue to work with the same Spiral team. We see only positive change as we benefit from the backing of a trusted, global company that shares our passion for bringing a unique end-to-end solution to the marketplace”.

Since the acquisition, the mood in the office is one of excitement, with staff eager to be part of the next stage of Spiral’s life-cycle and all the opportunities that this will bring. We are continuing to recruit and expand our capabilities to deliver the next generation of supply chain tools to the industry. In parallel, we are meeting people across the various areas of Invensys, sharing ideas and discovering new possibilities to deliver innovation and value to our customers. 

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Control Systems: Advanced Process Control Ain't Easy

Control Systems: Advanced Process Control Ain't Easy

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Now Hiring in Spain! Senior Direct Sales Executive - Advanced applications

Invensys Operations Management is a leading provider of automation and information technologies, systems, software solutions, services and consulting to global manufacturing and infrastructure industries. Our solutions include control and measurement instrumentation; safety, critical and distributed control systems; a wide range of real-time operations management software; and professional services.

Senior Direct Sales Executive

We are offering a great opportunity to become a part of Invensys Sales team in Spain. Based in Madrid, you will be responsible for selling company software solutions and advanced applications to the main markets in Spain - Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical and Consumer Packaging Goods.

Your key responsibilities will be as follows:

-      Manage the entire sales process from identifying prospects to negotiating contracts;

-      Create and maintain territory sales plan;

-      Manage demand and qualify opportunities,

-      Identify prospects and create entry strategies for each;

-      Establish and maintain relations with the existing clients;

-      Utilize business and financial knowledge to create value propositions;

-      Lead or participate in contract negotiations;

-      Share sales best practices with Invensys Operation Management sales community.

We are looking for:

-      Master degree in Engineering (preferably Chemical Engineering);

-      Minimum 5 years of relevant experience with selling complex software solutions or advanced applications ideally within Oil & Gas industry;

-      Confirmed experience in closing deals of high value;

-      Very good knowledge of Process industries and Manufacturing Applications;

-      Strong contract negotiations and closing skills;

-      Very good verbal and written communication skills

-      Spanish; English - fluent

-      Willingness to travel (up to 50%)

Apply here or contact Martina Izakova for more details.

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IEA projects US to surpass Saudi Arabia as largest global oil producer by about 2020 - Oil & Gas Financial Journal

Interesting read....

IEA projects US to surpass Saudi Arabia as largest global oil producer by about 2020 - Oil & Gas Financial Journal

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Refinery Wide Optimization Videos

Check out these new videos on heavy oils: Refinery Wide Optimization Videos

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Musings on the Cloud

Musings on the Cloud

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Free SimSci-Esscor Webinars December 2012 through March 2013

Register today for the various technical product webinars here!

Webinars include:

• Heat Exchanger Simulation - PRO/II Interface with HTRI
• Developing New Mixture Interaction Parameters from Data
• SimSci HDP for hydrotreating and hydrocracking reactor modeling
• PRO/II Customization and Output
• Extension of PRO/II using Visual Basic Script
• Model Selection for Electrolyte Systems

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Free webinar today! Aging Workforce and Operator Training - Improve your bottom line with fast, effective training techniques

This series of educational webinars tackles some of the important issues facing today's petroleum enterprise, such as; heavy oil processing, control over material losses, dealing with an aging workforce and related training. This series is brought to you by Invensys and presented by our leading industry experts.

Join us Tuesday, December 4, 2012 for the 3rd webinar in this series: Aging Workforce and Operator Training - Improve your bottom line with fast, effective training techniques

Who should attend: Plant Managers, Operations Managers, Training Managers, Human Resource Managers


Inexperienced and undertrained operators are a liability, risking not only the safety of refinery personnel but also the refinery's profitability. A less experienced operations workforce is likely to become a persistent trend as an older generation of employees retires and is replaced by a new generation with less time on the job.

Refineries need a strategy to get their workforce up to speed faster and transfer the knowledge and experience to the next generation.

Learn how new training methods that utilize modern simulation technologies can help train your workforce just like fighter pilots learn to fly a jet. These methods are fast, efficient, and much more effective.Learn more about these new training methods.

Register now »

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Why should ROMeo users be interested in Wonderware Intelligence?

Guest Blogger: Kaylen McMullen, Marketing Assistant, Invensys Operations Management


Why should ROMeo users be interested in Wonderware Intelligence?

Users of ROMeo are typically trying to optimize performance at their plant. Admittedly, ROMeo results are not always the easiest to interpret, making optimization more difficult. However, ROMeo users now have the option to implement Invensys’ solution Wonderware Intelligence which has been integrated with ROMeo into a solution that we call ROMeo Intelligence. ROMeo still provides the real-time information needed to improve profitability and performance, but Wonderware Intelligence presents this information in a clear and concise manner. Wonderware Intelligence is user friendly software that offers a real-time graphical display of important operations information or key performance indicators that will aid users in making real-time business and operating decisions.

A highlighted benefit of this solution is the ability to view data in various formats, whether it be personalized dashboards, SharePoint sites or custom portals. The user may choose which view is most suitable for analyzing the plant’s current situation. The Wonderware Intelligence Dashboard allows for key data to be viewed and interpreted quickly. The dashboards show how user friendly they really are by color coding the information, so that the operator will easily understand what values are upper and lower bound. This new feature comes at the request of many ROMeo users. Making the information as clear as possible is imperative for optimizing performance. With this new release, any operator, no matter the experience level, will be able to analyze the data. Wonderware’s Sensitivity Analysis feature explains how changes to the system will affect operation. This feature will also help train a less experienced workforce, an overwhelming issue in many of today’s refineries. Wonderware Intelligence software tracks refinery performance so personnel can actually view the progress being made with ROMeo.


A plant could improve their optimization efforts and profitability by using Invensys’ ROMeo Intelligence package. Current ROMeo users are encouraged to experience the improvements of ROMeo Intelligence to start improving profitability and performance today.

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Free Webinar tomorrow: Aging Workforce and Operator Training - Improve your bottom line with fast, effective training techniques

This series of educational webinars tackles some of the important issues facing today's petroleum enterprise, such as; heavy oil processing, control over material losses, dealing with an aging workforce and related training. This series is brought to you by Invensys and presented by our leading industry experts.

Join us Tuesday, December 4, 2012 for the 3rd webinar in this series: Aging Workforce and Operator Training - Improve your bottom line with fast, effective training techniques

Who should attend: Plant Managers, Operations Managers, Training Managers, Human Resource Managers


Inexperienced and undertrained operators are a liability, risking not only the safety of refinery personnel but also the refinery's profitability. A less experienced operations workforce is likely to become a persistent trend as an older generation of employees retires and is replaced by a new generation with less time on the job.

Refineries need a strategy to get their workforce up to speed faster and transfer the knowledge and experience to the next generation.

Learn how new training methods that utilize modern simulation technologies can help train your workforce just like fighter pilots learn to fly a jet. These methods are fast, efficient, and much more effective.

Learn more about these new training methods.

Register now »

Read More