Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that Shell UK Exploration and Production (Shell Expro) has selected the Yokogawa CENTUM CS 3000 Distributed Control System (DCS) for a major upgrade of the Brent Alpha North Sea production platform. The $1.32 million project includes the DCS and integrated Emergency Shutdown and a Fire & Gas safety system - utilizing Foundation Fieldbus technology in the field devices.

The key requirement on this project is to enable Shell Expro to manage the Brent Alpha production platform from a remote location. Fieldbus technology will provide on-line device diagnostics and real-time plant operation data. The remote operation of the platform facility could not be reliably achieved without an ultra reliable control system and the digital communication benefits provided by Foundation Fieldbus technology.

"Shell Expro will have a fully integrated Process Automation System which maximizes the digital benefits of intelligent field devices allowing real-time access to plant and instrument maintenance data", says Akira Kohzuki, Sr, G.M. Solutions Division. "Yokogawa and Shell have a long history together. The decision to use fieldbus makes this project even more exciting. We are pleased to partner with Shell on this unique application."

Shell currently has a significant number of Yokogawa's ProSafe emergency shutdown and fire and gas safety systems, many of them on critical applications. The decision to select Yokogawa was based upon a proven record of supplying reliable control systems, cost-effective technical solutions and excellent service and support. The project also includes several hundred Yokogawa EJA Pressure Transmitters and YVP Valve Positioners, all registered fieldbus devices. To insure proper implementation of the fieldbus technology, Yokogawa will actively participate in the design and engineering of field segments.