RFID Tracking System Used To Safeguard Lives On Oil Platforms

RFID technology is doing more than just tracking personnel on the Ekofisk Complex of ConocoPhillips oil platforms off the Norwegian coast -- it is safeguarding lives.

ConocoPhillips officials wanted an effective and reliable system during any type of emergency. Work on the offshore platforms is often complex and harsh, making the choice of tracking technology important to meet strict certification issues and not interfere with employee privacy.

The company turned to IDENTEC SOLUTIONS and the company’s RFID-based WATCHERSYSTEM to complete the task.

Here’s how the system works. All employees on the platform are given an active RFID tag which is used like a standard ID badge. In the case of an emergency, a map and real-time headcount is available. RFID tag readers also are located throughout at strategic locations and at mustering station to allow point coordinators real-time access and overview of any missing employees.

The system’s real-time information also allows the safe evacuation of personnel to be confirmed during evacuation exercises.

And even though the environment is rough, the WATCHERSYSTEM received important ATEX Certification after intensive testing process before the system’s release.

"Today, we are using the technology as an aid to locate offshore personnel on Ekofisk in the event of an emergency or during training," said Emil Anderson, ConocoPhillips project IT manager. “It should also be noted that several other operators in the North Sea will soon be installing this system."


About the Author

Brent Dirks is senior editor for Security Today and Campus Security Today magazines.

Featured

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.