Modernise without interrupting production.
Petrochemical installations and energy transport infrastructure are among the most availability-constrained industrial assets in existence. Fuel depots, refineries, gas pipeline networks, hydrocarbon storage facilities — these sites simply cannot stop. Any intervention on control systems must be planned, validated and executed without interrupting production, under ATEX constraints and with impeccable documentation.
AUTOM Technologies has mastered the specific requirements of this sector over more than 15 years. Our expertise in retrofit and PLC park modernisation allows us to work on existing systems — sometimes ageing or obsolete — and progressively replace them with current, reliable and maintainable architectures, without ever compromising operational continuity.
How we operate
Retrofit and PLC modernisation
Retrofit is our most frequent type of intervention in this sector. We carry out a complete obsolescence study of existing PLC parks (hardware and software), reverse-engineer existing programmes when documentation is absent or incomplete, then migrate to current platforms (Siemens S7-1500, Schneider M580, WAGO CC100). Each migration is prepared and tested on a simulation bench before site intervention, to minimise shutdown windows.
Supervision, data historisation and reporting
We design and deploy SCADA supervision systems: real-time tank level visualisation, pump and valve management, product flow tracking, production report generation. Data is historised in process databases (OSIsoft PI, AVEVA Historian, SQL Server) and presented via operational and management dashboards. This data layer is the first step towards energy efficiency and preventive maintenance initiatives.
Secure industrial networks in ATEX environments
Industrial communication networks in petrochemical environments must be robust, redundant and secure. We design network architectures adapted to ATEX constraints and the availability requirements of SEVESO-classified sites: link redundancy (MRP, RSTP), IT/OT segmentation by VLAN and equipment certified for explosive environments.
Functional safety and regulatory compliance
Petrochemical and energy transport sites are subject to strict regulatory requirements (SEVESO III Directive, IEC 61511, ATEX). We support our clients in bringing their Safety Instrumented Systems into compliance: SIL loop review, risk analysis updates (HAZOP) and documentation of the safety instrumentation layer in accordance with applicable standards.
Standards and references
- ATEX (Directive 2014/34/EU) — Equipment design and integration for explosive atmosphere zones on oil and chemical sites
- SEVESO III Directive — Knowledge of requirements applicable to major hazard establishments
- IEC 61511 — Functional safety of process safety instrumented systems (SIS loops)
- IEC 62443 — OT system cybersecurity, IT/OT segmentation, vulnerability assessment
- IEC 61131-3 — Standardised PLC programming (Ladder, ST, FBD, SFC)
Representative projects
Fos-sur-Mer oil depot — Complete retrofit
Reverse engineering and complete migration of the control system at an oil depot in an ATEX zone at Fos-sur-Mer. Replacement of obsolete PLCs with Siemens S7-1500 units, SCADA redesign under AVEVA System Platform, safety documentation update. Intervention carried out in successive phases without a complete production shutdown.
Gas transport network — Centralised supervision
Deployment of a centralised supervision and remote control system for a natural gas transport network. Integration of several compression and pressure reduction stations, with production data and alarm transmission to a centralised control centre. Redundant communication architecture via fibre and radio links.
Do you have a Petrochemicals or Energy Transport project?
Whether it is a retrofit of obsolete PLCs, SIL compliance of your safety loops or deployment of a new SCADA system, our team supports you with a proven methodology that guarantees the continuity of your operations.