ABB has been awarded a contract to modernise the automation and control systems on the Buzzard offshore platform, which operates approximately 100 km northeast of Aberdeen in one of the UK’s largest North Sea oil fields. The project for CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited, a subsidiary of global energy company CNOOC International, will help ensure continued safe and reliable operations of the Buzzard offshore platform.
ABB will deliver a targeted modernisation of its installed ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system and Safeguard 400 safety system. The phased upgrade will allow essential updates to be introduced while the platform remains operational, limiting shutdown time and reducing project risk.
The work will be managed by ABB’s engineering team in Aberdeen, which also supports the Buzzard platform through an onshore reference system used for testing and evaluation. By verifying upgrades onshore before deployment offshore, ABB can help reduce risk, minimise disruption and maintain continuity of production.
“This project reflects our longstanding partnership with CNOOC’s UK business and our shared commitment to safe and reliable operations,” said Nicolas Alonso, Head of ABB's Energy Industries division for the UK, Ireland and Azerbaijan. “By modernising the existing automation systems, we are able to help support UK energy security at a time of increasing demand.”