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Shell Pipeline Control CenterHouston, Texas

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Distribution Assets

Storage Tanks

Manifold Piping/Valves

Loading/Unloading DocksPumps and Compressors

Mainline Pipe(normally below ground)

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Pipeline Operations in 9 States and Offshore GOMShell Pipeline Control Center

97 Pipeline Systems 9 Terminals 5000 Miles of Pipe 500 Locations Monitored50,000 Data Points

7MM BBLs/Day•Crude Oil•Refined Products•Chemicals

7 Consoles -

15 Supervisory/Administrative

8 Technical Support 4 Software Development

40 Controllers/TraineesSTAFF - 67 FACILITIES COMMODITIES

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Lake CharlesBeaumont

Port ArthurErathEast Houston

HoumaGibson

St. James

ClovellyNarin

Norco

SOP-US GOM/Gulf Coast Crude Distribution Network

280 mi.

150 mi.

1500 ft.

• Operate 15 major offshore systems;over 1,800 miles (1/3 of our operatedmiles)

• Gather approx. 1MMBPD from 170offshore platforms

• Water depths range from 5 ft. to 4000ft.

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Multiple Console Organization

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Remote Operations of Pipeline Systems:• 24 hour/day, 7 day/week, 365 day/year Operations• Vector SCADA system:

• Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition• Primary real-time control system used to operate pipeline systemremotely

• Remotely start/stop pumps• Remotely open/close valves associated with tank switches• Coordinate movements with other pipeline companies and terminals• Batch Tracking and ticket printing

Some of what we do on a daily basis…

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System Monitoring and Computational Pipeline Monitoring (CPM):• Monitor tank/sump levels• Pressure monitoring and Department of Transportation (DOT) record-keeping• Computational Pipeline Monitoring (CPM) – aka Leak Detection• Alarm monitoring of pressures, tank/sump levels, etc. and Techniciannotification• Emergency response support and Agency notification• Emergency phone contact

• Operational Data to Scheduling and Regions:• Daily turn-ins and reports to Scheduling and Region personnel• Communicate issues and coordinate schedule changes• Maintain and use OPSIS:

• OPerationS Information System• All Data and Events Stored for 6 years (3 req’d by DOT). Providesaccess to historical Operations Data by Scheduling and Regionpersonnel

Some more of what we do on a daily basis…

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SPLC Control System Commands

• Privileges by individual logged on and by responsibility (user, groups,assets)

• Open/close, start/stop, and setpoint send capability• Can inhibit control via tagged command• Some commands require select-execute steps• Operator entry error feedback

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SPLC Control System Commands (inverse video)

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SPLC Control System Batch Tracking

• Tool for Controllers to input and track batches along the length of thepipeline

• Tracking batches by “paper pipeline” was historically a highly time-consuming part of the Controllers workload

• Scheduling group also monitors progress of batches

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SPLC Control System Batch Tracking

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SPLC Control System Computational Pipeline Monitoring (CPM)

• Shell proprietary algorithms in VECTOR perform line/volume balanceand rate-of-change CPM calculations

• Alarming based on combinations of individual alarm states formultiple points (flow increase and pressure decrease at differentlocations)

• Inhibit processing on control of a device that would cause a false alarm• Alarm thresholds dynamically adjusted based on operational

conditions (eg. valve line-up)

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SPLC Control SystemDynamic Threshold Adjustment

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Control Center Release Prevention“Zero Tolerance” Policy:

• For all onshore Product and Crude pipelines Controller MUST shutdowna pipeline if a CPM Alarm is received.• Supervisor/field is notified and the cause is investigated prior to restart ofthe pipeline.• All Alarms are later analyzed by CPM Analyst to determine cause andrecommend system improvements.• Controller response and performance is measured for each event.

CPM Testing:• A minimum of two CPM tests are conducted every year.• Tests can be either announced or un-announced.• CPM System, Controller response, and procedures are measured andevaluated.• Used as a training tool and to help with procedure and systemimprovements.

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Control Center Training

Controller Training• New Controller Trainees are selected based on structured interviews andcomputer-based aptitude testing.• Trainees receive 6-8 weeks of classroom training on CC procedures priorto starting OJT.

• Classroom training concentrates on Emergency, Abnormal, andComputational Pipeline Monitoring.• Use of documentation tools ( SAP work notifications, Alarm Documentation,Shutdown Reports) is covered.• Hydraulics simulator is used to teach recognition of and procedures forreleases, line blocks, and other abnormal conditions.

• Trainees are assigned to a console for 5-9 months of fully supervisedOn-the-Job Training (OJT).• All Trainees must complete a Qualification Session prior toindependently operating on a console.•Re-qualification is required every 3 years.

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Control Center Training Supervisor Training:

• All new supervisors must complete 3-4 weeks of operations training priorto performing any duties for the console.

• Existing supervisors are required to complete on going operations trainingand re-qualification every 3 years.

Technical Support Training:

• Technical Support Staff have technician or engineering background.

• New Technical staff must complete certification, consisting of formaland/or in-house technical training and supervised OJT, prior to beingallowed to make changes to the SCADA system.

• Existing Technical staff are required to re-certify every 3 years.

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