SCADA Data

A typical SCADA system communicates with devices in real-time or near real-time and provides data to HMI's. The host system maintains a pseudo-historical database with instantaneous data. Operators can immediately see the state of the device, make decisions based on that information and react very efficiently.

EFM Data

EFM data however, cannot be collected with SCADA polls. Flow computers calculate flow rates every second and accumulate historical data based on these calculations. EFM devices must maintain this historical data, an Audit Trail log of parameter changes and an Alarm log per API requirements. These logs do not fit traditional SCADA systems efficiently.

Polling Schemes

Scheduled Polls

The Thermo Scientific AutoSCAN has brought these two elements of EFM SCADA together by integrating polling schemes to meet both needs. A typical EFM SCADA system will have several hundred to several thousand EFM devices that must be polled on a timely basis. Each AutoSCAN database can accommodate up to 4095 EFM devices, with up to 15 meter runs per device. Each EFM device can be configured individually to retrieve SCADA data and EFM data at different intervals. Typical accounting systems need EFM data shortly after the contract hour. The AutoSCAN requires data to be polled on a real-time basis. The AutoSCAN Host system can be configured to poll SCADA data instantaneously and continuously and EFM data periodically.

On-Demand  Polls

Another requirement of EFM SCADA is to have access to EFM devices during lengthy EFM data retrievals. AutoSCAN host systems provide this by means of a prioritized manual poll. When an operator requests a prioritized manual poll, the AutoSCAN poller will finish its current poll, immediately poll the selected meter, and then return to its normal poll cycle.

Back-Door Polls

EFM SCADA systems need to have access to remote field offices. In addition to network access, AutoSCAN has the capability of using a phone line to efficiently and automatically transfer data to another office. Through a back-door protocol, a central AutoSCAN can call a remote AutoSCAN and collect data. This feature has the added advantage that the field office can isolate an end device from other offices. This not only conserves remote power to the EFM device, but also provides an extra layer of security. The central AutoSCAN only has access to what the field office allows.

Middleware

At the heart of the efficient EFM SCADA system is Middleware. It provides the interface between EFM devices, accounting systems and HMI's. AutoSCAN not only provides this link, it also gives the operator comprehensive field reporting and flexible data transfer as well as easy voice access to data.

Accounting Systems

Accounting systems typically take data through file exports. AutoSCAN can be configured to provide a number or automatic exports such as CSV, Access Database^TM, and spreadsheet file exports. AutoSCAN also provides automatic exports to many popular accounting systems such as MIPS^TM, Flow-Cal^TM, and PGAS^TM.

HMI

The AutoSCAN Viewer provides many screens that display data for operators. Various summary reports give instant access to data from multiple EFM devices at the same time. When custom screens are required, the AutoSCAN system provides DDE links to all data. DDE aware applications such as Wonderware^TM and Excel^TM can be configured to automatically display data on a real-time basis.

EFM Data Management

Middleware must also be capable of providing EFM data reports at the field level. This includes graphs and reports for operators planning their day, as well as production engineers working to optimize wells. AutoSCAN can be configured to automatically print reports for groups of EFM devices. Each technician can receive a report including the flow rates, communications statistics and power status as well as other important values for each EFM device. Customers typically require EFM data to be provided on a daily basis. AutoSCAN can be configured to automatically fax or email reports to any number of customers. Those reports can be Excel spreadsheets, Access databases, HTML files, or any other number of file types.

Thermo Scientific AutoVOX®

In addition to data access through computers and fax, the AutoVOX provides operators with access to data through a touch-phone. An operator with proper security clearance can call the AutoSCAN host system at any time and obtain all the current status from any EFM device. The AutoVOX can also be configured to monitor EFM devices and directly call the operator if it alarms. With the growing number of EFM devices per technician, an AutoVOX solution allows each technician to focus his attention where needed.

The integration of EFM and SCADA data is not a trivial task. The two systems not only handle data differently, they need to retrieve the data in different ways. The AutoSCAN host system provides an efficient and seamless combination of these two disparate data systems. Through one host system, the needs of two very different data centers are met.