Oil Field Process Control Systems Research As a member of a team of experts, provided recommendations on future well stimulation process control technology. Operations in California, Canada, and Texas were reviewed; experts from North America, South America, and the North Sea were interviewed; competitive technology was reviewed; and job incidents were analyzed. A plan for implementing advanced process control systems was provided to management.

Oil-Field Command and Control Analysis Conducted a functional requirements analysis for the development of a large command and control system used in hydraulic fracturing and other oil-field process control operations. Fracturing jobs in oil fields in California, Wyoming, and Canada were studied. Motion and time studies were conducted. Interviews were performed with executives, supervisors, engineers, and operators.

JMU Command and Control Center Mockup Constructed a 41 ft. mockup of the Job Management Unit, the specifications for which were developed during an earlier ESDI project. Managed the design and construction as it progressed. Exterior trailer surfaces, doors, hallways, flooring, windows, seating, counters, kitchen, workstations, computers, and displays were among the included elements. The JMU was mass produced and is in use internationally.

Standard Remote Display for Oil Field Use Provided extensive consultation with engineers during the development of the Standard Remote Display, a rugged, universal control device for oil-field equipment. Layouts and prototypes were reviewed, and improvements and revisions were provided throughout the design cycle. Human interface specifications were prepared to help promote the development of standardized interfaces in future SRD applications.

SRD Control Interface for POD Blender Performed a task analysis and assisted software engineers in the development of computer interfaces for running an oil-field blending machine for hydraulic fracturing, the POD II Blender. Verified the organization of control screens and functions through test and evaluation on actual frac jobs.

Treatment Analysis Computer Interface Provided human factors design support for the Treatment Analysis Computer, an exceptionally sophisticated and powerful workstation-based oil-field process control system. Periodic reviews with programmers were conducted to assist them in developing interfaces that matched the capabilities and needs of users. Recommendations addressed overall organization, screen layout, and interface design.

Presentation on Human Factors and Operations Safety Prepared and gave a keynote talk to 1200 employees of Exxon Mobil Exploration on the role of user interface design in accidents and system reliability. Special emphasis was given to real-world examples in a variety of industrial settings. The talk was also broadcast on closed circuit television to remote locations.