TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe development of Baker Hughes onshore operations centre, BEACON was described in the paper SPE78336. A critical component of the concept is the movement of certain services, including mud-logging, from the rig site to shore. Traditional mud-logging systems were designed assuming that the operators could intervene when required, for example to repair or calibrate the sensors. By moving people onshore, this assumption is no longer valid. Further, changes must be made to the work processes, including people competencies and training, to match the new working practices. Experience on BP's Valhall DP operations demonstrated that greater reliability would be required in all aspects of the mud logging service to achieve the reliability goals.In January 2002, Baker Hughes INTEQ and BP were awarded a grant under the Norwegian Demo2000 program to develop a rig and operator independent ultra-reliable mud logging service capable of remote operation and control from the centre, located in Stavanger. The funding has enabled the issues related to the intimate mixture of people, process and technology to be addressed.To help address the competency issues, a state-of-the-art mud logging training facility has been created. A new generation of high reliability sensors including an innovative gas trap and hydrogen generation device have been produced. Technicians will be able to maintain and calibrate these from the onshore centre. At the same time, new work processes have been developed to improve business efficiency and HSE. These are small, but critical steps to help shape drilling automation in the future.The paper contains a description of the system's analysis, including a comparison with the NORSOK standards, which serve as a benchmark. The additional requirements imposed by the need for remote control are also presented.

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe development of Baker Hughes onshore operations centre, BEACON was described in the paper SPE78336. A critical component of the concept is the movement of certain services, including mud-logging, from the rig site to shore. Traditional mud-logging systems were designed assuming that the operators could intervene when required, for example to repair or calibrate the sensors. By moving people onshore, this assumption is no longer valid. Further, changes must be made to the work processes, including people competencies and training, to match the new working practices. Experience on BP's Valhall DP operations demonstrated that greater reliability would be required in all aspects of the mud logging service to achieve the reliability goals.In January 2002, Baker Hughes INTEQ and BP were awarded a grant under the Norwegian Demo2000 program to develop a rig and operator independent ultra-reliable mud logging service capable of remote operation and control from the centre, located in Stavanger. The funding has enabled the issues related to the intimate mixture of people, process and technology to be addressed.To help address the competency issues, a state-of-the-art mud logging training facility has been created. A new generation of high reliability sensors including an innovative gas trap and hydrogen generation device have been produced. Technicians will be able to maintain and calibrate these from the onshore centre. At the same time, new work processes have been developed to improve business efficiency and HSE. These are small, but critical steps to help shape drilling automation in the future.The paper contains a description of the system's analysis, including a comparison with the NORSOK standards, which serve as a benchmark. The additional requirements imposed by the need for remote control are also presented.