Applications of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) In Oil And Gas Exploration: Case Study Of Nigeria (original) (raw)

This Research reviewed the application of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) in oilfields. The challenges face by vast network of production facilities crisscrossing the nations landscape in retrieving accurate and real time data is discussed. A critical study showed that Fire, Vandalization, Environmental leaks, flow assurance and tempering with pipelines continue to persist as major pipeline issues in Nigeria. This research revealed that Oil fields are becoming part of an ICT network, as all of them are increasingly interconnected through SCADA system and monitored in real time because accurate and real time data is required for decision making to optimize the efficiency of the oil and gas industry. It is established that Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, SCADA, is a sophisticated, cost - saving technology that can effectively address the challenges and remained the best technology for monitoring/surveillance and optimization of Oilfield production. This technology will provide a mechanism, which allows the oil and Gas operators to remotely monitor, control and optimize the distribution network. It was noted that Nigeria oil sector have not efficiently deploy the use of this technology in its oil & gas operations due to certain barriers. This work concluded that adopting this technology will prevent vandalization, leakages, oil and gas theft, monitors flow and retrieve accurate and real time data required for decision making to enhance efficiency and optimize production, operations and maintenance. Keywords: SCADA, Oil & Gas, Exploration, Remote Monitoring, Automation.