ABSTRACT
Many safety-critical industries are moving towards centralised control of operational processes to improve efficiency, mitigate workforce shortages, and optimise the use of expertise. This chapter explores the development of design concepts for multi-unit operation in the petroleum industry, offering insights that may be relevant across sectors. Key terminology, including multi-unit operations and distinctions between homogeneous and heterogeneous configurations, is introduced to establish a shared understanding and support discussions of emerging control concepts.
The chapter examines operational objectives and human factors challenges associated with multi-unit operation, highlighting critical design dilemmas encountered in the petroleum context. It also reflects on how conceptual design work has informed the practical implementation, contributing to a broader understanding of how centralised, remote, and multi-unit operations can be effectively designed and implemented in safety-critical industries.
