Hibernia: the next generation of offshore platform control systems

CIE-computer-integrated enterprise-technically best describes the Hibernia's new Grand Banks, Newfoundland, offshore drilling and production platform. Designed and constructed in an era of oil company belt-tightening, Hibernia takes advantage of modern technology to achieve the goal of a safe, cost-effective control system design. Some of the design criteria used in the control system design are discussed: system operability, training, safety, maintainability, constructability, expandability and integration, engineering/management information, and cost effectiveness. The main features of the control system are then described including: the process control system, fire and gas detection system, emergency control system, ECS/PCS process shutdown, electrical power management system, HVAC control system, drilling data acquisition system, and the engineering/management information system.