Schneider Electric and Aramco to Collaborate on O-PAS™ Automation Test Bed
- Companies will jointly assess and validate next-generation open and interoperable technologies
- Aramco to enhance local capacity and readiness to execute pilot of advanced capabilities
- Intrinsically cybersecure, interoperable automation technologies expected to bring step change improvements in operational flexibility, sustainability and efficiency
Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and Aramco, the world’s pre-eminent integrated energy and chemicals company that drives global commerce and enhances the daily lives of people around the globe, today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on assessing emerging technologies based on the Open-Process Automation Standard (O-PAS). Testing will take place at a new built-for-purpose test bed in the Saudi Schneider Electric Innovation and Research Center in Dhahran Techno Valley, Saudi Arabia.
The new facility will test systems for multi-vendor interoperability, cybersecurity and advanced functionality, such as artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, in real-world applications. Technologies from Schneider Electric as well as other automation vendors will be assessed on how well various solutions work together to produce the high value expected for next-generation industrial automation. Engagement of academia, third-party suppliers and other owners and operators will be explored under this agreement to benefit Aramco and the automation industry in the Middle East.
"Schneider Electric has a long history of innovation and driving open industrial automation,” said Nathalie Marcotte, president, Process Automation, Schneider Electric. “Legacy systems have served us well and advanced us this far but now the time is right to accelerate the digital transformation of industry by taking a new approach to industrial automation with secure interoperable technologies. Aramco and other owners and operators around the globe are looking for ways to optimize their CAPEX and OPEX spend, while making step change improvements in their operational efficiencies and carbon footprint. Standards like O-PAS and IEC 61499 will ensure systems are interoperable, portable, scalable, future proof and intrinsically cybersecure. Emerging automation technologies based on these standards promise to improve uptime, add agility, enhance cybersecurity and enable new operational models at a much-reduced total cost of ownership.”
Local and Global
The new test bed is part of Schneider Electric’s ongoing commitment to build and develop local technical capacity close to its customers and supports Aramco’s ambitious In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) initiative. The collaboration will allow Aramco to enhance its local capacity, technical knowledge and digital readiness for Industry 4.0 operational models supported by Schneider Electric’s global expertise and network.
“We are pleased to leverage Schneider Electric’s deep domain expertise to explore next-generation industrial automation architectures,” said Ahmad Al Sa’adi, Senior Vice President, Technical Services, Aramco. “Interoperable and portable systems will give us greater freedom to select and integrate the best in class technologies we need to bring step change advancements in our operations and future-proof our industrial automation system.”
Digitalization and Industry 4.0
Under the agreement, Schneider Electric and Aramco will jointly define areas of technical collaboration to assess and validate multiple emerging technologies and their benefits, explore real world applications and develop a prototype system.
Ultimately, both companies will jointly deliver an O-PAS-compatible field-test pilot that depicts a section of an Aramco plant with the goal of advancing its sustainability, digitalization and operational excellence capabilities.
OPAF
Schneider Electric and Aramco are both members of The Open Group Open Process Automation™ Forum (OPAF), an international forum of end users, system integrators, suppliers, academia, and standards organizations who are working together to develop the specifications for utilizing open process automation technology in next generation process control systems. Schneider Electric has taken a leadership position in working with other members of OPAF to define the O-PAS Standard. Once fully defined, O-PAS will allow for construction of safe, reliable, secure process automation systems that are scalable from very small to very large, which do not require system shutdown to perform updates and extensions, and which can be applied to existing systems and to new construction.
Aramco is a global integrated energy and chemicals company. We are driven by the core belief that energy is opportunity. From producing approximately one in every eight barrels of the world’s oil supply to developing new energy technologies, our global team is dedicated to creating impact in all that we do. We focus on making our resources more dependable, more sustainable and more useful. This helps promote stability and long-term growth around the world. www.aramco.com
Related Spokespeople
Nathalie MARCOTTE
SVP and President of Process Automation BusinessNathalie Marcotte joined Schneider Electric in 1996 (acquired from Invensys). As the President of Process Automation Business, she is responsible for the company’s services business and offer development, ranging from product supports to advanced operational and digital services. She is also responsible for the company’s Global Cybersecurity Services & Solutions business, including product security and the Product Security Office. She has a master’s degree in Applied Sciences to complement an undergraduate degree in Engineering. Nathalie possesses solid experience in a diverse range of P&L management; business development; services strategy and marketing planning; staff recruitment, deployment and motivation; OT cybersecurity; finance, project management, engineering / customer services; and supply chain management. Nathalie has held numerous leadership roles within the organization, including vice president of Global Performance & Consulting Services; vice president, North America marketing; General Manager for the Canadian business; and prior to her current position, vice president, marketing, Global Systems Business. Before joining Schneider Electric, Nathalie spent almost a decade at ABB Canada, including serving in senior marketing and engineering roles. Having successfully managed cultural differences, she has proven leadership in developing and motivating teams to achieve business objectives while maintaining a high degree of customer satisfaction. Nathalie and her husband Daniel reside in Montreal, Quebec.Read more
Attached files
Schneider Electric and Aramco to Collaborate on O-PAS™ Automation Test Bed (.pdf)
PDF, document28/10/2020View asset 
Saudi Schneider Electric Innovation and Research Center in Dhahran Techno Valley, Saudi Arabia (.jpg)
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