AGSL nets contract for GDF Suez Cygnus project

Asset Guardian Solutions Ltd (AGSL) has been awarded a key contract by GDF Suez E&P UK Ltd for its Cygnus project in the North Sea.

Cygnus project

AGSL will provide GDF Suez with a customised Asset Guardian tool set, its fully configurable process software management programme. The tool set will enhance management and security of all process control software that GDF Suez will use to manage all assets associated with the Cygnus Project, the largest undeveloped gas discovery in the Southern North Sea in 25 years.

Located 150 km off the coast of Lincolnshire, the Cygnus field has gross 2P (proved and probable) reserves of approximately 18 billion m3. First gas is targeted for late 2015.

Asset Guardian solutions

By installing Asset Guardian, all Cygnus-related GDF Suez software and data will be stored in one central repository, which improves workflow and reduces risk. It also speeds recovery of software and data in the event of a system failure, significantly reducing impact upon the project, as well as future operations and production.

One of the key benefits of Asset Guardian for GDF Suez is its ability to manage changes to software configurations, and log all system faults and overrides. This capability means that while the Cygnus project is being commissioned, engineers and management will receive up-to-the-minute status reports on all activities taking place throughout this critical phase.

Restricted access

Asset Guardian protects process software by restricting access to it. This is achieved by managing and storing all process system passwords so that only authorised GDF Suez personnel is allowed to change software configurations.

As the Cygnus project progresses, and as process hardware and software are acquired, a comprehensive inventory of all hardware and software, along with associated documentation and correspondence will be kept up-to-date in a Systems Asset Register of Asset Guardian.

North Sea presence

The contract from GDF Suez follows several key awards from North Sea operators, further strengthening AGSL's presence in this region. AGSL also boosted its client portfolio with contracts from EDF Energy in Scotland, and Inpex and Woodside in Australia.

“This project marks another milestone for AGSL, as we continue to serve the oil and gas industry, both at home and abroad. We are extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to make certain that GDF Suez is doing everything it can to protect the integrity of the process control software that it uses to operate the Cygnus Project,” commented Peter Beales, Business Development Manager for AGSL.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/28082014/agsl-wins-contract-from-gdf-suez-for-cygnus-field-1344/