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 Integrated Subsea Control Systems 

For many years, a master control station (MCS) was used to control the Subsea Electronics Modules (SEMs) via the electro-hydraulic umbilical. The MCS was typically connected to the topsides DCS via a serial link (using, for example, Modbus protocol), which provided data acquisition from subsea sensors, and allowed control of valves.

Over the last few years, however, there has been a movement towards the use of Integrated Control Systems, where the topsides control system communicates directly with the SEMs. This eliminates the requirement for a Master Control Station, which in most cases functioned only as a protocol converter.

There are significant cost savings due to eliminating the Master Control Station, and there are technical benefits too:

• Better integration with the topsides control system. There are many advantages, such as:
  • Standard function blocks can be used. The programming of the subsea logic uses the same methodology as the topsides.
  • Alarm processing is simplified. There is only one alarm system, with no duplication of alarms.
• Simplified configuration. With an MCS and a DCS, two databases need to be maintained. With an Integrated Control System, there is just one.
• Detailed SEM data. An many cases, an Integrated Control System provides detailed diagnostic data from the SEM that is simply not available via the MCS serial link, a case in point being with downhole gauges.
• Simplified diagnostic capability. The engineer or technician can use a display at the ICS to perform diagnostics, without having to use the MCS or complicated SEM diagnostic software.

• ABB Seatec
  Originally developed for Norsk Hydro's Troll Olje project (North Sea, Norwegian sector), and subsequently used on Esso Blackback (Bass Strait, Australia)
• Kvaerner FSSL
  Developed for Woodside Energy's Laminaria FPSO (Timor Sea)