Proserv recently completed the live upgrade of a metering system’s hardware and software for one of the UK’s highest producing fields. The client came to us with a requirement to upgrade the existing system to remove obsolescence issues, as well as expand the system to include additional wells – all while ensuring that no loss of production occurred.

Loss of production during an operation like this can represent a significant loss of revenue for the end client, as without live installation the wells would have needed to have been shut down numerous times over a 13 week period. A live installation was therefore necessary. We developed a temporary, but fully functioning replica system to allow the cabinet equipment to be changed out with no downtime.

The live installation also brought additional benefits. Bed space is limited on the asset, so performing the upgrade and expansion without the need for a planned shutdown provided more flexibility, as the client could schedule us in for the upgrade at a time best suited to them.

Proserv has a long history with both the client and the asset. The client felt that our knowledge of the then-current system, along with the level of support that we’d been providing to the obsolete system thus far, gave us the edge.

We also provided a number of potential solutions for the end user. We didn’t box them into a standard package, forcing them to take what we wanted to supply. This gave them the flexibility to choose the technologies that they wanted and needed.

A key feature of our win was that we were able to integrate the new subsea wells into the existing system. This future proofed their equipment and removed the need for a separate system, which would have inevitably added both cost and complexity.

The implementation scope consisted of three phases: setup and transfer signals to temporary rack, refit existing cabinets and transfer signals to the new equipment. This might sound simple but in order to get there, we needed to create a 1,400 page Installation and Commissioning Procedure (ICP), which contained 700 pages of associated drawings – no mean feat in of itself!

With the obsolete equipment now removed, Proserv can continue to support the metering system for the foreseeable future. In 2021, the platform will be adding a further 24 new streams. These have already been incorporated into the upgrade, meaning there will be minimal impact when they come online.

“Proserv was competent and flexible to the requests of the project. They delivered a high quality output and exhibited the right behaviours throughout.” – Client project team member