Virtual Flow computing system

eXLerate based redundant Virtual Flow Computer (VFC) and redundant metering supervisory control (MSC) system technology was used for a major metering system upgrade at the Kittiwake platform in the Central North Sea to implement a large custody transfer metering system.

The Kittiwake Installation is located in the UK Sector of the North Sea and is operated by Petrofac as duty holder for Venture Petroleum Limited.

The Greater Kittiwake Area (GKA) is centered on block 21/18a in the Central North Sea approximately 160km east-north-east of Aberdeen.

The GKA includes the Kittiwake, Mallard, Gadwall, Goosander and Grouse Fields and a number of discoveries and low risk prospects.

The platform processes oil and gas from the 4 fields, Kittiwake, Mallard, Gadwall and Goosander, from platform wells and sub-sea completions tied-back to the installation. Ownership of the Kittiwake, Mallard, Gadwall, Goosander and Grouse fields is split equally between Venture Petroleum Limited and Dana Petroleum Limited.

In total about 25 metering streams were realized with our eXLerate based VFC solution, including export oil, export gas, test separator gas, test separator oil, test separator oil, water injection, and many other streams which are metered with a variety of meters, including orifice, ultrasonic, turbine, and coriolis meters.

The system consists of redundant metering controllers for measurement of field signals, which are processed by a redundant Virtual Flow Computer system. On top of this redundant VFC system, additional MSC systems, and a number of client computer systems for remote operation and control.

The system was successfully implemented, tested, installed on-platform and commissioned in August 2007.