American Petroleum Institute

Developing a Pipeline Supervisory Control Center - First Edition
 N RP 1113

Annotation

A pipeline supervisory control center is a facility where the function of centralized monitoring and controlling of a pipeline system occurs.

This document focuses on the design aspects that may be considered appropriate for developing or revamping a control center. There are five sections (Sections 2 through 6) that provide lists of general considerations.

This document is not all-inclusive. It is intended to cover best practices and provide guidelines for developing a control center only. It does not dictate operational control philosophy or overall SCADA system functionality.

This document was created by an API Cybernetics Subcommittee task force, based on industry practices used on liquid pipeline SCADA systems. The document is intended to apply to control centers for liquids pipelines; however, many of the considerations may also apply to gas control center design.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to assist the SCADA system designer in identifying issues relevant to the development or redevelopment of a control center. It is recognized that each pipeline company has unique operating philosophies and SCADA systems; therefore, not all elements of this document may be applicable.

For example:

— Some pipeline control centers are a combination of several different SCADA systems.

— Some of these SCADA systems may not have the developer tools necessary to implement the consideration.

— Some operators may have existing control center design philosophies/techniques that bridge over into unique operating philosophies.