Technology Dependence Beyond Control Systems

Operations has grown beyond relying only on SCADA infrastructure — can you operate without your non-scada infrastructure? As the operator of the world’s longest and most complex liquids pipeline, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. relies heavily on automated systems to control, monitor, maintain our pipeline system. As the scope of automation continues to expand beyond the SCADA control system, so to does the dependence on ancillary computer applications such as pipeline scheduling, electronic ticketing, nominations and oil accounting. Uninterrupted operation of the pipeline system now depends on an increasingly complex electronic infrastructure and new levels of reliability are required from this infrastructure. This paper will describe the inherent risks as we continue to increase the automation of pipelining functions such as scheduling, oil accounting and electronic ticketing. We will discuss the type of technological threats (system failure, design flaws, security) and the strategies adopted by Enbridge for mitigating each of them. Further to the risks, this paper will explore the infrastructure components where exceptional risk mitigation is required, and the measures that Enbridge has taken to minimize the risks associated with those components. Specific areas to be analysed include; wide and local area networks, power and environmental systems, system clustering, hot and cold standby systems, network segment isolation and system backup solutions. Attention will also be paid to the increasing dependence on shared infrastructure services such as the Internet and telecommunications. For each of these technology areas, we will discuss the level of adoption within Enbridge, and the value proposition for these decisions. We will attempt to answer the questions; Why go that far? Why not go further? Finally, we will discuss the technology infrastructure requirements for business resumption. We will discuss system and site redundancy alternatives employed by Enbridge, the challenges involved in establishing business resumption plans, and how they are used by Enbridge to minimize the operational risk to our pipeline.