| Kashagan Experimental Programme |
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The Kashagan Field in the Caspian Sea is considered the single most important discovery in the past 30 years and is the fifth largest oilfield in the world. The giant field covers an area of 75 km x 45 km and it is currently estimated that the field holds up to 38 billion barrels of oil-in-place of which 9 billion are potentially recoverable. With associated gas re-injection, it is estimated that recoverable reserves could increase to 11bn. The offshore location of the field means that it is subject to harsh conditions, where sea ice is present during the winter months and temperatures can drop to -40oC. Due to such extreme conditions, Synectics has been working closely with Agip KCO, the Operator for the consortium, on the Experimental Programme CCTV solutions to ensure that the CCTV solution provided can operate at such low temperatures.
The IP networked CCTV was specifically designed for remote process plant monitoring, from an onshore control room and incident management centre, with networking and security monitoring from gatehouses, warehouses and other facilities. The COEX™ camera stations, made up of both EExd hazardous area and safe area, and encoders will transmit over the LAN to distributed servers and storage units. Video management software and virtual matrix capabilities provide operators with the flexibility to select, access, control and view cameras locations through the plant, via dedicated workstations.
Synectics is currently working on further additions to the Experimental Programme consisting of an additional 160+ COEX™ camera stations and control equipment, all of which will link back to the previously supplied CCTV solutions ensuring complete command and management by the operator.
As such Synectics is completely involved and committed to this project for the foreseeable future providing continuity to Agip for all their CCTV requirements. The whole project is estimated to cost $136 billion and the Experimental Programme is expected to commence production by 2012.
Photos of Kashagan Offshore D Island and the Power Plant kindly provided by Agip KCO |
To date, Synectics Industrial Systems has provided an IP networked CCTV system for onshore, offshore and pipeline monitoring totalling more than 300 COEX™camera stations. This system has been fully integrated within Thales’ carrier-grade, multi-service communication subsystem which includes public address, general alarm and mobile radio systems. 
Synectics has also supplied the CCTV system for the 270 MW $190m Combined Cycle Power Plant and associated Utilities via Bateman Litwin which will provide complete surveillance for the main generator buildings and outbuildings within the power station via a total of more than 30 COEX™ camera stations and the control system will be able to link into the onshore and offshore CCTV systems. Commissioning of this CCTV system will be carried out by Synectics’ engineers.