For safety and efficiency on rig floors, the ability to monitor rig operations is becoming increasingly important. The more data rig operators have available, the more they can increase operational efficiency and avoid unforeseen events. Moxa offers an industrial panel computer, the EXPC-1519, with technology advancements (capacitive technology, high processor performance, and industrial design) that make it suitable for the harshest applications, improving visibility and creating operational intelligence for drilling applications.

 

Riggers’ operations used to be limited by the interface technology of the HMI. Only a single-touch-interface HMI is really suitable for operation by gloved hands, but this interface is inconvenient and increases the risk of errors. Moxa’s innovative approach to multi-touch capacitive interface technology allows the panel to be operated while wearing rigger’s gloves. This means that rig managers are now able to query reports or operate SCADA control dashboards naturally, just as they would without gloves. Moreover, they no longer have to work several meters away in the doghouse, with a poor view of operations.

A drilling operation may last 2 to 3 months, and the drilling team will relocate after it ends. The more easily the team can set up the network for the new site, the more quickly the project can start. Traditionally, wired networks have been used, but wireless solutions can now provide effective and reliable networks. However, traditional HMI devices do not support wireless, limiting usage of wireless in drilling sites. Now, Moxa’s EXPC-1519 panel computer supports Wi-Fi and cellular communications, making network construction easier and more flexible. Another benefit is that critical data can easily be made available to the whole drilling team in field sites as well as in doghouses—helping them make timely decisions, but without adding extra cost.