8.3 %
Reduction in maintenance and operational costs.
15 %
Increase in sales capacity due to modernization.
7 %
Under budget for comprehensive hardware, software, and virtualization upgrades.
Introduction
A key player in Canada’s energy sector faced critical challenges at their Moose Mountain operations. With infrastructure dating back to the 1970s and a control system from the 1980s, it was time for a significant upgrade. Catch Engineering was brought on board to transform these outdated systems into a model of modern efficiency and safety.
The Challenge
The energy company’s Moose Mountain sites in Kananaskis Country struggled with outdated technology. The infrastructure, including wells and transmission lines built in the 1970s and control systems from the 1980s, was difficult to manage and did not meet current safety standards. The mountain locations, particularly the two sites above the tree line accessible only by a steep, rocky road, posed additional challenges, especially in bad weather. The company needed to upgrade their technology to comply with industry regulations and enhance operational safety and efficiency.
Our Solution
After a successful previous collaboration, the energy company chose Catch Engineering again for their Moose Mountain modernization project. Key aspects of our solution included:
- Certified Vendors: Ensuring all vendors had the necessary certifications and expertise.
- Cost Management: Utilizing our expertise to keep the project within budget and avoid unexpected cost increases.
- Virtualization Technology: Sourcing, implementing, and executing the virtualization technology to modernize facilities.
- Platform Migration: Transitioning existing operator consoles to newer, more efficient platforms.
- Advanced Servers and Virtual Machines: Installing state-of-the-art servers and virtual computers with remote access capabilities. Our setup included vital components like a Domain Controller, Database and Screen Server, Archive Data Server, and Operator Workstations and Thin Clients. These were built on the Microsoft Servers platform and the Rockwell PASS system, managing over 1,350 plant and remote site IOs.
- Future-Proofing Technology: Ensuring easy upgrade and expansion capabilities to prevent future obsolescence.
Key Results
Since implementation, the energy company has achieved:
- Budget Efficiency: Completed a comprehensive upgrade under budget by 7%.
- Increased Sales: Experienced a 15% increase in sales capacity, a direct result of removing outdated and unreliable programming, thereby improving their bottom dollar.
- Enhanced Security: Improved overall system security with an enhanced domain controller.
- Remote Management: Increased system management efficiency with remote monitoring and access.
- Safety Improvement: Reduced travel-related incidents by eliminating the need for mountain travel in harsh weather.
- Cost Savings and Reliability: Reduced maintenance and operating costs by 8%, enhancing hardware reliability and durability.
Looking Ahead
The Moose Mountain project showcases Catch Engineering’s proficiency in managing and successfully executing complex technological upgrades in the energy sector. Our approach not only brought the project in under budget but also significantly enhanced operational efficiencies and safety standards. This undertaking reaffirms our commitment to delivering high-quality, efficient solutions in challenging environments, underlining our role as a reliable and skilled partner in the energy industry.
Partner with Catch Engineering for your next project to achieve engineering excellence. Contact us today to learn how our expertise can help you achieve your project goals.
