Saudi terminal deploys Siemens simulator

Loading terminal management system simulates tank farm. Will later integrate real-time portal.

Saudi Aramco has awarded a contracted to Siemens’ Industrial Solutions and Services unit (SI&S) to equip two hydrocarbon product distribution terminals with its ‘Sisog TMS’ terminal management system. The Sisog TMS simulates fuel tank farm and distribution terminal activity to optimize plant personnel training. Simulation of ‘unusual’ operating scenarios and fault situations prepares operators to react quickly and appropriately. System changes and upgrades can also be tested in advance using the virtual plant simulator.

Virtual Plant

These installations bring the total number of TMS sales to Saudi Aramco to 19. Additionally, a ‘virtual plant simulator’ is being deployed for technical support. The simulator can load any plant configuration and simulate field-device and interface behavior. As a result, even plant-specific functions can easily be simulated, and the operating personnel can be trained efficiently.

Driver identification

Automated road-tanker and driver identification manages traffic to and from the terminal. Transactions are booked automatically and the associated information is available in real time. The system can determine currently available quantities and grades and automates the management, administration and balancing of stocks as well as tank-to-tank transfers and batch management of all pipeline transports.

ERP

Sisog TMS can be implemented as a standalone solution for a single location or can be integrated in a company-wide ERP such as SAP. The latter variation is especially suitable for companies such as Saudi Aramco, which require up-to-date information on stocks and on incoming and outgoing quantities in a large number of tank farms at all times. Sisog TMS will also integrate the Siemens XHQ real-time information portal which is presently being installed throughout Saudi Aramco in order to enable a link up between production data and business data.

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