Modern SCADA systems for oil pipelines

Modern SCADA systems have many sophisticated features, such as distributed architecture, distributed database, GUI interfaces, intelligent RTUs, etc. that are the results of advances in many technologies. Oil pipeline SCADA systems provide operators with many useful software features such as emergency shutdown, batch tracking, leak detection, dynamic modelling, optimal despatch, etc. These facilities help improve operators' productivity. Emerging technologies will further enhance the power of future SCADA systems which will constitute parts of corporate networks holding all data necessary for the efficient management and control of pipelines. This paper presents an overview of the salient features of modern SCADA systems and the software facilities that are normally available on a system for oil pipelines.