Saipem and Siemens have signed a joint development agreement aimed at qualifying and promoting an open standard subsea control systems for Saipem’s Subsea Bus architecture based on Siemens Subsea DigiGrid.
Siemens will through its Subsea entity support Saipem in realizing the Saipem Subsea Bus architecture, by adapting and further developing the Siemens Subsea DigiGrid digitalization, control and communication portfolio into a customized subsea control system.
This system is one of the key enabling elements of Saipem’s technology platform for subsea processing systems, and it will be the first control system in the market promoting a modularized and standardized subsea system through Open Framework architecture, the company explained.
The Saipem Subsea Bus is an extendable Open Framework platform of software and hardware components, including development and debugging tools, designed to ensure full support for and integration into all subsea applications.
The combined system will be capable of controlling an “All Electric” configuration suited for subsea fields with long distances between wells and host facility.
Stefano Cao , Saipem CEO, said: “This technology cooperation agreement with Siemens marks a further step for Saipem along the road to the development of Saipem’s Subsea Processing Systems. The Open Framework architecture will facilitate the unlocking of the supply chain and the achievement of cost savings through an innovative technological approach.”
Frode Tobiassen , Siemens Subsea CEO: “In Saipem we have found a partner who is as passionate as Siemens about introducing Open Framework All-Electric systems in order to facilitate flexible digitalization and automation solutions to the subsea industry.”