RFID Technology for the Oil and Gas Industry

Stig Petersen, SINTEF ICT

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Agenda• Industrial RFID Communication Challenges

– Noise, interference and obstructions

• Industrial RFID Application Performance– Radio planning and deployment

• RFID in Oil & Gas

• Conclusions

Image source: Statoil

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Noise• Definition

– Negative influences on a radio system from machines and equipment emitting electromagnetic radiation

• Sources– Switchgears, relays and drives– Frequency converters– Induction heaters– …

• Consequences– Bit errors– Packet losses

Image source: Statoil

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Noise• Severity of performance degradation depends on

– Radio system properties• Frequency band• Transmission power• Modulation and coding

– Operational environment• Types of machines and equipment in the area• Distance between radio transceivers and noise sources

• Noise from machines and equipment varies over time

Image source: ZVEI

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Interference• Definition

– Radio systems which negatively influence each other

• Sources– Radio systems which transmit

• On the same frequency• At the same time• In the same location

• Consequences– Bit errors– Packet losses

Frequency

LocationTime

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Interference• Spatial overlap depends on radio planning

– Location and range of radio transmitters

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Interference• Spatial overlap depends on radio planning

– Location and range of radio transmitters

• Frequency overlap depends on technology selection– Frequency band of radio solutions

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Interference• Spatial overlap depends on radio planning

– Location and range of radio transmitters

• Frequency overlap depends on technology selection– Frequency band of radio solutions

• Temporal overlap depends on application and technology

– Nature of medium access • How often are messages transmitted?

– Duration of medium access • How long does it take to send a message?

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Interference• Severity of performance degradation

depends on

– Transmission power• High power vs. low power

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Interference• Severity of performance degradation

depends on

– Transmission power• High power vs. low power

– Bandwidth• Full or partial frequency overlap Radio 2

Radio 1

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Interference• Severity of performance degradation

depends on

– Transmission power• High power vs. low power

– Bandwidth• Full or partial frequency overlap

– Range• Distance between the radio transceivers

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Interference• Coexistence

– Radio systems which fulfill expected functions despite interference• Application performance• Requirements• Boundary conditions

– Radio systems can be designed for improved interference immunity• Modulation• Error-correcting codes• Clear channel assessment

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Physical Obstructions – Non-Line-of-Sight

• Definition– Physical objects blocking radio communication

• Sources– Permanent obstructions

• Buildings, metal structures, pipes, …– Temporary and mobile obstructions

• Vehicles, trucks, cranes, people, …

• Consequences– Bit errors– Packet losses– No signal

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Physical Obstructions – Non-Line-of-Sight

• Severity of performance degradation depends on

– Material of the obstruction• Concrete, metal, wood, glass, …

– Radio system frequency • High frequency = higher attenuation• Low frequency = lower attenuation

• Difficult to plan for mobile obstructions

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Physical Obstructions – Multipath Fading

• Definition– Self-interference from reflected electromagnetic waves

• Sources– Permanent obstructions

• Buildings, metal structures, pipes, …

– Temporary and mobile obstructions• Vehicles, trucks, cranes, people, …

• Consequence– Bit errors– Packet losses

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Physical Obstructions – Multipath Fading

• Severity of performance degradation depends on

– Distance to the reflecting object

– Material of the reflecting object• Concrete, metal, wood, glass, …

– Radio system properties• Frequency• Modulation and coding• Transmission power and range

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Noise, Interference and Obstruction Challenges

• Common consequences from noise, interference and obstructions– Bit errors– Packet losses

• How do bit errors and packet losses affect RFID systems?– Increased tag response times– Reduced read range– Undetected tags

• How to avoid performance degradation?– Radio planning– Deployment considerations

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RFID Radio Planning• Radio planning is crucial for successful industrial RFID application

performance

• Key elements to proper radio planning

– Obtain full overview and knowledge of all deployed radio solutions

– Collaborate with solution providers

• Find suitable frequencies for RFID

• Avoid interference between radio systems

• Avoid frequency bands prone to noise

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RFID Deployment Considerations

• Deployment considerations are crucial for successful industrial RFID application performance

• Key elements to proper RFID deployment– Identify suitable physical locations for RFID readers and tags

– Avoid blocking line-of-sight

– Maintain distance to other radio systems operating on same frequency

– Consider possibilities of mobile equipment• Especially important for RFID tags

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Oil & Gas Specific Challenges• Harsh environments

– Extreme ambient temperatures (from arctic to desert)– Extreme weather (from snow storms to sand storms)– Extreme heat and pressures in drilling / pipelines

• Hazardous environments– Certification requirements (ATEX/EX)– Intrinsic safe and explosion proof casings

• Consumer electronics not always suitable– Need custom-made robust technology and devices– Limitations on available products and solutions

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OLF* Guideline No.112**Deployment of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) in the Oil and Gas Industry

Technical Sections

1.General principles for deployment2.Architecture and integration3.RFID technology4.Unique identification number

Deployment Areas

5. Personnel (HSE)6. Cargo carrying unit (CCU)7. Drill string components8. Mobile equipment9. Fixed equipment

* The Norwegian Oil Industry Association **Available at http://www.olf.no/en/Publica/Guidelines/

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Conclusions• RFID is a mature technology and is ready for adoption in Oil & Gas

– Successful RFID application deployment depends on• Integration with existing systems• Data management and data exchange• Architectures, semantics and ontologies• Availability of certified and robust industrial equipment and technology

• Technology and standard selection depends on application requirements

– Active vs. passive tags• Trade-off between read range and battery replacement

– Inductive vs. radio-based communication• Depends on physical properties of deployment, i.e. tag orientation, read range, …

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Conclusions• RFID application performance can be degraded by

– Noise– Interference– Physical obstructions

• Blocked line-of-sight and/or multi-path fading

• Successful RFID applications can be achieved by – Plant-wide radio planning

• Obtain full overview and knowledge of all deployed radio solutions• Know your plant

– Deployment considerations• Install RFID equipment in suitable locations• Minimize effects from noise, interference and physical obstructions

– Understand and respect the harsh and hazardous environment!