Remote Operations Center
Increasing Operational Safety in Pipeline Facilities

Operational safety is one of the key concerns surrounding pipeline facilities as millions of miles of buried pipelines are exposed to vulnerabilities that can lead to major accidents. Pipelines carry flammable products under high pressure that can result in hazardous events in case of leaks, ruptures, or equipment malfunctions. In fact, pipeline leaks can be a common problem in pipelines and if undetected, can lead to casualties and harm to the environment. To reduce such possibilities, Remote Operations Center (ROC) offers an effective solution, which works as a technical arm to the oil and gas companies, enabling them to increase pipeline safety and in turn prevent disastrous events. “We have the ability to recognize and respond to issues before they result in catastrophic events,” says Louis Krannich, CEO of ROC.

The company offers round-the-clock monitoring service by integrating a customer into ROC’s control center to ensure operational safety, asset security, and system reliability for pipeline operators in the oil and gas industry. ROC provides organizations with real-time visibility into the assets and everyday operations carried out in their facilities with the help of highly skilled pipeline operators, who are trained to recognize abnormal pipeline conditions. These system operators communicate with the field operators to notify them in case of irregularities and also promptly take corrective actions before they lead to grave circumstances. The ROC team tracks the status of the flow rates, pressure, and temperature on a continuous basis and can respond to alarms that it sets for every device to define normal, abnormal, and emergency operating ranges. This significantly helps in the early identification of risks associated with pipelines. If ROC detects an emergency condition, it can remotely isolate the risk and reduce the impact by controlling pipeline valves, pumps and compressors.

As part of the integration process, ROC also designs operational procedures for its clients, configures SCADA and develops a network solution to connect field transmitters and equipment to the control room.

We have the ability to recognize and respond to issues before they result in catastrophic events

Depending on the size of a system and complexity of operations carried out in it, ROC takes two to four months to set up control room operations.

The proficiency of the ROC team can be highlighted through a scenario shared by Krannich, where a midstream company planned to build new assets. They collaborated with ROC to establish control room operations for the new pipeline in lieu of building and staffing their own control room. ROC carried out detailed analysis of the facility design and operations and then set up control room operations in about 50 percent of the time that the client would have taken at approximately 50 percent of the cost. Further, when the client sold their assets to another firm, ROC collaborated with the new owner and continued assisting them as well. “Amid the chaos of an acquisition, we provided them stability across their operations and continued providing ourservice through that asset sale,” adds Krannich.

In spite of being a new player, ROC is gaining traction in the market through its collaboration with various clients. With the company’s widespread presence across the U.S., the firm is now evaluating international opportunities to further widen its ambit. Besides, ROC is also currently working on proprietary leak detection technology and other safety applications to enhance their existing offering. ROC’s primary focus is on being the best control room service provider, and it is continuously working toward achieving the same.