StatoilHydro using new ABB safety system on major offshore platform

London - StatoilHydro is employing the latest version of ABB’s System 800xA High Integrity safety system (SIL3-rated) on its massive Troll A offshore gas production platform. The system, which went live on 5 June, will control emergency shut down applications on the platform, located 70 km off the coast of Norway.

The oil company is using the ABB system to provide emergency shut down applications, to protect the personnel on the platform, processes and production assets, as well as the environment. It is also integrated with the platform’s ABB automation systems to help increase the efficiency of operations at Troll and minimise interruptions.

The largest gas field on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, Troll represents some 60% of the region’s total reserves. The Troll A platform produces about 75 million standard cubic meters of natural gas per day plus 10,000 barrels per day of natural gas liquid condensates. This output supplies approximately 10% of the total natural gas needed by customers in Europe.

Released earlier this year, ABB SIL3-rated safety instrumented system is based on an embedded diverse technology architecture that is claimed to provide better protection of the process, plant, personnel, and the environment and to improve overall process efficiency.