Operator Training Simulators – Intro and Marketing

August 13, 2009

Here’s a little something that I wrote,

you might want to play it note for note…

Enough 80s already.

Operator Training Simulators

Operator Training Simulators (OTS) train operators on fundamental plant operations and improve their ability to optimize plant performance with the same simulation tool. OTS mirrors the exact look and feel of a plant, captures operator best practices, provides a standardized, level training ground to evaluate operator performance and enables operators to exercise best practices.

Sample - Condensate Stabilizer OTS

Sample - Condensate Stabilizer OTS

The model is capable of simulating the following operations:

  • Start-up operations
  • Normal steady-state operations
  • Normal shutdown operations
  • Emergency shutdown operations.

In addition to the above operations, the system is capable of simulating operations dictated by process disturbances and equipment failures introduced by the instructor.

The core element of any training simulator system is the simulation model of the plant unit operations and process controls. The UniSim system provides the ability to construct simulation model without computer programming knowledge by providing a library of building block modules used for simulating the behavior of devices such as pumps, columns, heat exchangers, valves, compressors, vessels and DCS control points. Major equipment types vary significantly from one plant to another. This variability is not generally in the overall functionality of the equipment, but in specific details such as geometry, configuration details, piping, service, etc. This variability greatly affects the operation of the equipment and hence the dynamic simulation of that operation.

Honeywell USO

Honeywell USO

The approach used in the UniSim system is to model the operation of such equipment using modules that are more fundamental. These modules contain a mathematical engineering model (based on first principles of chemical engineering) of the equipment type including heat, material and momentum balances, thermodynamic and operating equations, both algebraic and differential. Each equipment types can be further defined using equipment parameters that customise the module to reflect the actual operating and physical characteristics of the device.

The Instructor Station (I/S) is the control center of the simulator. The I/S allows access to the simulator’s special features, which do not exist at the actual site. These include:

  • RUN, FREEZE and RESUME execution of the process model and control system representation in a completely time synchronized manner.
  • SAVE and RESTORE model states for future retrieval.
  • EXECUTE the model FASTER or SLOWER than real time.
  • Introduce malfunctions.
  • Initiate scenarios.

The I/S interface also lets the instructor monitor the progress of the training session with lists and trends of process and control system variables.

Honeywell USO

Honeywell USO


PETRONAS Contractors Forum 2009 – My Summary

August 12, 2009

Yesterday was the photo session, today I’ll provide my views on the presentations and discussions. As I didn’t bring in any recording devices, the piece below focusses on what interested me.

I arrived late, so I missed the Welcoming Speech and Keynote Address. My apologies.

First talk I attended was an introduction to PETRONAS’s inhouse steady state process simulation software, iCON. The talk was given by Mr Shahrul Azman Zainal Abidin, Principal Engineer GTS. I have seen this presentation and derivations of it over the past 5 years (starting in 2004/5, when it was called PetroSIM), so nothing spectacular there. You can go visit the VMG site to pick up a brochure of the civilian version of this package. I was interested to note that they are working on a dynamic version of the package.

After the tea break, we were treated to an application of how iCON was used to investigate and optimise onshore gas receiving facilities, of which LCOT was one. What was interesting to me was that the result of doing the work inhouse resulted in a cost saving of RM382k (±10k), which give me a baseline as to how much to charge for a reasonably simple network, and 3 operating cases. Woohoo! This portion was presented by Mr Muzaimi B A Talib, Staff Engineer PCSB.

We went through an overview of the famed PETRONAS Technical Standards, led by Ir V.R.Harindran, Custodian Engineer GTS. Too bad they weren’t giving handouts, as it was an interesting trip down memory lane. Some items I took away from the presentation was:

  • PETRONAS subscribes and sends representatives to a lot of governmental and international standards bodies.
  • The PTS are designed to be ‘fit for use.’
  • There is opportunity to challenge the PTS during project execution.
  • PETRONAS is looking towards getting user feedback on the PTS. By feedback, I assume they mean something structured and ISO 9001 traceable, as opposed to shouting at the PTS on the engineering floor.

There was next a presentation by Mr Alex Zulkarnain B Zulkarim, Senior Manager GTS. His concern was the quality of engineering expertise in PETRONAS, especially among the junior rank and file. Items he touched on were:

  • PETRONAS wants to be seen as a savvy buyer (there go my generous markup margins).
  • PNAS needs to upgrade its technological expertise and has acknowledged that work needs to be done.
  • There is a proposal to station PNAS engineers in the service providers office as part of enhancing their technological skills.
  • His remit was pretty much focused on developing PNAS engineers, not Malaysian engineers.

After the crowd was tranquillised with lunch, came the contractors’ point of view. Ir. Rozali Ahmad, president of MOGEC, presented on MOGEC’s aims, intentions and events calendar. But all this was blown away by the list of challenges the engineering companies have when faced with PETRONAS as a client. You’ll have to get the list from MOGEC, if they ever own up to presenting it in the first place.


PETRONAS Contractors’ Forum 2009-08-10

August 11, 2009
Agenda PETRONAS Contractors Forum 2009

Agenda PETRONAS Contractors Forum 2009

I attended this session yesterday. Though it was a whole day session, ample time was provided to do networking, fishing, eating, spirited questioning (sorry for the blood on the wall), eating, photographs… did I mention eating?

PETRONAS Contractors Forum Group Photo


Saturday Star 2009-08-08 – Job Opportunities

August 10, 2009

Apologies for the late entry.

  • First off, Synergy is looking for 5 lead safety engineers and 3 lead process engineers. Visit the Synergy website for contact details. And safety specialists. Ah, heck. If you have more than 5 years experience in O&G, apply. If you have less than 5, send a donation to the offshore account, and still get abuse.
  • Carigali Hess (you know, Cakerawala) is looking for an advisor, HSE. If they get more visits from the Kelantanese administration by boat, the advisor is going to have to be a harbourmaster as well. Anyhow, send email here if you want to apply. 
  • SGS (not Shell Global Solutions, which is a whole other article) is looking for  mess of engineers. What you would be interested in is the position of trainee engineers (less than 3 years). Send your applications here.

I don’t have a food recommendation this week. Anyone want to recommend a halal place in Bintulu that serves the local cuisine?


Bintulu Onshore Gas Terminal

August 8, 2009

Synergy was invited to facilitate a HAZOP at Murphy’s Gas Plant (MGP) or Bintulu Onshore Gas Terminal (BOGT), I don’t know which is the formal name. The HAZOP went on smoothly enough, and I hope that the client was satisfied with execution and conclusions of the exercise, and invites us to facilitate their future risk assessment sessions.


Bintulu Kite Festival

August 7, 2009

Apart from the oil and gas industry in this town (reason for which I am actually here), another event was going on today:


From Bernama – Kelantan Oil Royalty Issue

August 6, 2009

Taken from Bernama, dateline August 1:

KOTA BAHARU, Aug 1 (Bernama) — The federal government is looking into the question of oil royalty for Kelantan, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday.

He said the matter was still under study because of overlapping areas in the vicinity of the oil platform.

“When the study has been completed, I will send a representative to convey the result of the study to the state government,” he told reporters after opening the Kota Baharu Umno Division delegates meeting, here.

Kelantan is seeking RM1 billion in oil royalty from the federal government, claiming that the money constituted five per cent of the earnings from petroleum and liquefied natural gas extracted from offshore Kelantan since 2004 as per a report of the Statistics Department.

What ‘overlapping areas’ are being referred to? I know that the Joint Development Area is part of Kelantan costal waters, but you would think division of profits would have already been sorted out with neighbouring governments. If not, I pity CHOC.

And which oil platform we talking about? Isn’t it a gas platform that’s out there. Chakerawala, anyone? Or maybe they are talking about oil equivalent barrels (oeb)?

Other articles on this are here and here.


Singapore’s Engineering Marvel

August 5, 2009

Ladies and Gentleman,

The Singapore Flyer.


Saturday Star 2009-08-01 – Job Opportunities

August 3, 2009

A first – topless lady on page M15 of this week’s The Star. Score one for non-imaginative (or sly) photographers!

  • First off, Synergy is looking for 5 lead safety engineers and 3 lead process engineers. Visit the Synergy website for contact details. And safety specialists. Ah, heck. If you have more than 5 years experience in O&G, apply. If you have less than 5, send a donation to the offshore account, and still get abuse.
  • Synergy Vietnam is apparently looking for process engineers. Visit their website.
  • ExxonMobil is looking for Project, Construction/Installation, Cost & Schedule Engineer. I think the new Tapis platform is moving to the detailed design stage, eh? Anyone know who won the job? Apply  here.
  • Talisman is looking for a Rotating Equipment Eng. Apply here, and visit their site.

Here’s a new food place, run by a friend of mine. One6 kopitiamhas a mini-library inside the shop, my kind of place. Now, if it had the latest editions of O’reilly books… Think I’ll be stopping over there every time I get in on a late flight from KLIA, as it’s on the way home.

Some reflexology thoughts:

  • If there are good pressure points on the soles of your feet, how do you know your masseuse isn’t hitting the bad points?
  • If your body aches, you apply reflexology. If your foot aches, do you massage your body?

Design & Interfaces

August 2, 2009

I was reading a book called The Inmates Are Running the Asylum. No, it’s not about Arkham Asylum, but takes on the view that despite appearances, business executives are not the ones in charge of the high-tech world, it’s the engineers running the show.

Currently, I’ve been looking at DCS screen shots, and was wondering how could we improve the displays so that the end user can reach their goals. Ideas that the book throws up are

  • Interaction vs interface design
  • Homo logicus
  • Dancing bears(!)
  • Design for personas
  • Goal directed design

I think I’ll start throwing the above buzzwords around when we get the opportunity to design interfaces from scratch. Maybe get an industrial designer in, go in bold directions…

iTouch DCS anyone?