Systems Approach to Automation of Oil and Gas Production---Conventional or Visionary

Conventional and visionary automation systems applied to oil and gas production are discussed. The authors are avowedly in favor of visionary automation systems and point this out in the comparison, point by point, with conventional supervisory control systems. The paper first contrasts, generally, the concepts of visionary automation systems with conventional systems. Secondly, specific ingredients of each type of system are weighed, and cost factors and calculations are cited. A detailed discussion of computer-directed automation systems hardware available today is also included.