The MTL8000 system, designed to address process application needs in general purpose and hazardous areas, has been installed in five Shell UK Exploration and Production gas platforms, the first of which was a new, totally unmanned Shell SKIFF gas platform 72 kms off-shore from the Norfolk coast in the UK. qqqThe system meets Shell Expro's requirements of reducing cabling running costs and serialising data in the field without the need for big Ex'd' boxes by offering hazardous area mounting, integrated Intrinsically Safe interface and full HART capability.

Designed by MTL, a world leader in the development and supply of Intrinsic Safety, Open Process Control components and Surge Protection products, the MTL8000 Process IOTM is a field mounting I/O system which replaces field cabling, termination, interfacing and associated cabinets, and is connected to a host controller via an industry standard fieldbus. The remote nodes can then be connected together to build a fast, powerful and open I/O system. The MTL8000 connects as few as eight, or as many as 256 I/O points to each node.
In the case of the Shell SKIFF platform the MTL8000 node comprises 16 Analogue Input channels with HART.
Using the HART capability of the system, multiple variables are retrieved from the smart instruments, permitting a reduction in required field instrumentation and therefore weight. It also gives a high degree of visibility back at the control system.
The SKIFF platform was Shell Expro's first implementation of the MTL 8000. This has been followed by installation on Brigantine BG and Brigantine BR, and the retrofit of 2 other platforms.
"The MTL8000 really does meet our processing needs. It enables us to serialise data in the field, close to the wellhead," said Graham Lloyd, Senior Instrument Engineer at Shell UK. "All our applications of MTL8000 focus around well metering using Rosemount 3095 MVT's. The 3095/8000 combination increases the flexibility of data handoff and enables us to view data outside of our SCADA system. We are in the process of fitting a further five platforms with the MTL8000 system, and using it on our new platform Carrack QA."
The MTL8000 Process IOTM is designed for remote mounting in harsh and hazardous areas and this suits the off shore oil and gas applications. It is also designed for other harsh and hazardous markets such as chemical and petrochemical processing, energy and water processing plants.
One of the North Sea's largest employers has undergone major restructuring, in a move that is having a major impact on customers and staff.
The Aberdeen division of Aker Kvaerner, formerly known as Aker Kvaerner Maintenance, Modifications & Operations (MMO), has become Aker Kvaerner Offshore Partner Limited, responsible for all MMO business in the UK to offer a wider range of services to clients.