New Collaboration In Oil Space

In the collaborative path ExxonMobil signed an agreement with six other companies to accelerate the development of Open Process Automation (OPA) systems. The companies currently included in this collaboration are Aramco Services Company, BASF, ConocoPhillips Company, The Dow Chemical Company, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC and Linde PLC.

With advances in computer sciences, software, networking and security adding and increasing competition and cyber-security risks has been the driving factor for industry to update design and maintenance of process automation systems. Which has been the ears and eyes of the industry manufacturing facilities for years.

The collaboration is mean to accelerate the creation of standards based, open interoperable, and secure automation architecture that addresses both the technical and commercial challenges with current systems.

This transformation is necessary for the competitiveness of both end-users and suppliers in the new digital world.

They are currently developing a testing benchmark with the collaboration of the OPA systems, which will be the foundation for testing the performance and operation of individual components and standardization. Once the test is functional the collaboration partners will nominate and prioritize new components, standards, and system features to be added and tested. ExxonMobil’s OPA systems test bed is targeted to be operational by year-end 2019.

The results will be shared with all collaboration partners and the learning will support independent field trials. All partners are encouraged to develop their own independent field trials as well.

The collaboration partners are members of the Open Process Automation™ Forum (OPAF), a group established by The Open Group, with the purpose of identifying and selecting standards to be used for OPA technology and systems. The Open Group works with customers and suppliers of technology products and services, and with consortia and other standards organizations to capture, clarify, and integrate current and emerging requirements, establish standards and policies, and share best practices.

This is a great way to finally collaborate in the world of standardization but also will help to level the field for everyone