In a strategic move to expand its midstream asset portfolio, a committed client of Strata’s called on our automation engineering capabilities and inclusion on a proposed Louisiana (LA) pipeline acquisition. To ensure a seamless transition and effective data migration of the newly acquired assets, Strata was initially involved in the due-diligence process to assist in the appraisal of the automation infrastructure for this transition and a direct path to execute the project. This analysis highlighted Strata’s capabilities, project management, performance, and the successful transition was accomplished with minimal downtime.

Strata conducted an in-depth appraisal of the existing automation and electrical infrastructure as part of the due diligence by reviewing information in the virtual data room (VDR) and pre-sale site visits. The scope of work for the automation transition and integration plan revolved around:

•  Field Instrumentation and Control Systems
• Measurement & Metering Devices and integration with accounting
• SCADA system and control room integration
• Leak Detection System and Batching System
• Communications related to OT environment

Following the detailed appraisal and transition cost estimates provided by Strata, our client moved forward with the purchase and the two parties end of 2023 and moved into the Transition Service Agreement (TSA) period.

Strata was tasked with developing a comprehensive transition plan which involved the following complexities:

• Expedite a safe and secure transition to customer’s local and remote operations to minimize TSA costs.
• Minimizing Downtime during migration: The primary objective was to maintain minimal or zero downtime during the transition.
• Control System Compatibility: The existing PLC controllers, dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, required upgrades within a constrained timeframe.
• Shared Management: Some assets were to continue being managed by both buyer and seller during the transition period and to comply with safety regulations and operational guidelines.

Shadow Period

A shadow period was initiated during Q1 of this year, where both buyer and seller’s control rooms monitored the operations simultaneously – our customer as read-only and seller with complete operations. This allowed for a training period for the customer’s control room and field team for a smooth handover and troubleshooting of any potential issues.

Cutoff and Field Verification

After a successful month-long shadow period, the seller’s control room was cut off from active monitoring. Subsequently, the transition of field control and remote operations from seller to buyer commenced. Strata played a crucial role in the field verification of all assets, ensuring each step was meticulously performed on schedule.

The transition project was divided into two phases, each with its own downtime management objectives:

Phase 1 – Achieved in under 50% of the projected downtime.

Phase 2 – Successfully utilized only four out of five reserved downtime days.

This 2024 transition mirrored a similar successful endeavor in 2021, where both buyer and seller had exchanged assets with Strata’s support. This repeat performance emphasizes Strata’s reliability and capacity to handle complex transitions within tight deadlines.

Strata’s precise planning, advanced automation solutions and services, and effective execution team enabled a smooth migration for our client’s LA midstream asset acquisition. By following a well-structured schedule, Strata minimized downtime, executed with proper communication, and enhanced our client’s operations and confidence in future acquisitions.