Oilfield automation with a 3G router

Lufkin Automation has chosen the MRD-310 3G router to equip its SAM Well Manager solution for highprecision monitoring and control of rod-pumping wells. The router supports many mobile standards and is dedicated to harsh environments.  Lufkin Automation was formed by the merger of two companies, the Delta X and Nabla Corporations, pioneers in rod pump controls. Delta-X was a leader in test and analysis systems for pumping processes using innovative and user friendly methods. Nabla was the developer of software solutions that in many ways has simplified the analysis and control of the pumping process. Today these two companies are a part of Lufkin Automation oil field division and offer analysis, security and control solutions for rod pumping wells. Oil fields are often situated in remote and  demanding environments where extreme variations in temperature, moisture and other environmental variables are an issue. To install the control and monitoring systems in these environments can be difficult as oil fields often consist of hundreds of pumps spread over large geographic areas. The Lufkin-developed SAM Well Manager is the oil an advanced technological solution for high-precision monitoring and control of rod-pumping wells allowing the operator to optimise pump performance and reliability. Pump flow can be analysed, service and maintenance requirements are calculated before the event of mechanical failure and energy consumption is optimised. The SAM Well Manager can be configured to stop the pumping process at low oil levels and when maintenance or service is required. The system also creates a complete action history that can be used for further optimisation. The SAM Well Manager is connected to the pump´s SCADA system. To remotely control the system a variety of technologies such as copper, fibre and radio links have previously been used. Although Lufkin´s European division has further enhanced the system and solutions using mobile networks have been developed. Lufkin has decided to use the Westermo MRD-310 3G router in a series of pilot projects, mainly for the European and Asian markets. The MRD-310 is highly suited for this type of application in many ways. Its support for the wide variety of mobile standards used globally allows installations in practically the whole world. It also supports IPSec encrypted VPN tunnels, a requirement for safety critical applications that use unsecure public networks. Furthermore, the MRD-310 provides a serial interface and serial to IP conversion, which is necessary to connect to the controller. The routers are developed for extreme environments and can operate in temperatures from -20C to 60C. Today, this application is installed in a number of pilot projects to demonstrate the potential for significant cost savings. Using High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), the uplink capacity is 2Mbit/s, together with the 7.2Mbit/s downlink data making the unit suitable for high data rate applications. MRD-310 provides a very high level of connectivity with its built-in two port 10/100 Ethernet switches and an RS-232 it easily allows devices to seamlessly connect over a vast geographical distance. To extend the life of legacy equipment there are a number of tools included that will ensure connectivity with PLCs and other RS-232-based devices. The unit supports both packet and circuit switched mode, Serial to IP conversion, Modbus Gateway, DNP3 Level 1 Outstation and Dial-Up modem emulation.