The ISA Edmonton Section has just finished hosting the 9th annual Oil Sands Automation conference in Fort McMurray and as the tag line on the program states – still the only oil sands focused conference hosted in the oil sands. The event continues to grow passing the century mark in attendance and this year there was greater participation both as speakers and participants from the SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) companies, which is the fastest growing part of this industry.
There were 12 speakers and a panel discussion in three sessions: Communications, Measurement Challenges, and New Technology. Full details on the conference can be found at http://www.isaedmonton.ca/OilSands/2012OilSandsProgramSchedule20120302.pdf which is a copy of the program. Topics ranged from Industrial Wireless with a panel debate on the ISA100.11a versus WirelessHART and several application examples of how digital communications of various types are critical to the successful control of reliable oil sands operation.
Plans are underway for the 2013 event incorporating the feedback received from participant surveys. Next up for ISA is their biannual Conference and Exhibition www.isaedmontonshow.ca April 18-19.
