Partners for security.

The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) – State of Qatar has officially joined ISASecure®, the globally recognized certification program that validates conformance to the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards for industrial automation and control systems (IACS) cybersecurity. Established in 2021, NCSA Qatar is the official governmental entity responsible for cybersecurity in the State of Qatar. The Agency leads the implementation of Qatar’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, unifying national efforts to secure Qatar’s cyberspace and protect its critical infrastructure.

In addition, NCSA Qatar develops national cybersecurity policies, frameworks, regulations and guidelines and runs nationwide awareness programs to strengthen Qatar’s cyber resilience. At the international level, NCSA Qatar actively endorses and pursues initiatives that contribute to global cybersecurity resilience, and it has expanded its participation in regional and international cyber bodies to promote cooperation for a secure, resilient and peaceful cyberspace.

This new partnership with ISASecure reflects NCSA Qatar’s ongoing mission to strengthen Qatar’s OT security maturity and enhance international collaboration on cybersecurity best practices.

“It is an honor to welcome NCSA Qatar into the ISASecure program,” said Mark DeAngelo, ISASecure program manager. “Today’s critical infrastructure demands comprehensive, rigorously validated cybersecurity. We look forward to collaborating with NCSA Qatar as we advance our mission of industry partnership, certification and standards-based product development to help achieve a more secure world.”

“Joining ISASecure reflects our commitment to advancing international collaboration and promoting the adoption of globally recognized standards to safeguard Qatar’s critical infrastructure,” said Dana Yousif Al-Abdulla, director of policy affairs at NCSA Qatar.

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@NcsaQatar @ISA_Automation @automation_com #PAuto #Cybersecurity #Qatar

Automation for petrochemical complex.

Digital automation technologies will play key role in $6 billion QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical project!

Automation technologies, software and analytics are to be provided by Emerson for the Ras Laffan Petrochemical Complex in Qatar as part of a consortium with Viasat Energy Services, a division of global communications company Viasat. The $6 billion (€5.52b) integrated polymers project, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical, is currently under construction and scheduled to go online in late 2026.

Emerson and Viasat Executives at signing ceremony

The project is QatarEnergy's largest investment ever in the country’s petrochemical sector. The complex will include an ethane cracker with a capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of ethylene per year, making it the largest ethane cracker in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, as well as two high-density polyethylene derivative units with a total capacity of 1.7 million tonnes per year.

“We are honoured to have been selected as the lead automation contractor for such an important undertaking,” said Vidya Ramnath, president of Emerson's Middle East & Africa business. “Emerson has been working with QatarEnergy for several years and we are proud to support the company’s long-term vision. Our advanced automation and analytics solutions will play a key role in the safe and efficient operation of this world-class facility.”

“Viasat Energy has a long history of supporting world-class energy projects in Qatar,” added Lee Ahlstrom, president of Viasat Energy Services. “We look forward to working with Emerson and our end customers to enable the network infrastructure for one of the largest and most technically advanced petrochemical facilities in the world.”

Emerson will deliver integrated process control and safety systems that leverage advanced predictive technologies to reduce operational complexity and minimise project risk through its DeltaV™ distributed control system and Rosemount™ gas analyser solutions. Viasat will design and provide an integrated telecommunications infrastructure for the entire Ras Laffan facility.

@EMR_Automation @Emerson_News @EmersonExchange @Rosemount_News @ViasatInc @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #Qatar

Steel production managment made efficient

GE Intelligent Platforms has been selected by Qatar Steel to provide a complete production management solution designed to improve operating efficiency through a reliable and optimum production process. The overall contract, worth $2 million, features GE’s suite of Proficy® software including Plant Applications, Historian, iFIX and Portal rolled out in a phased format led by a significant pilot project.

The Proficy software solution covers design and implementation for data collection from multiple systems including material storage, handling and control, direct reduction furnaces, electric arc furnaces, ladle furnaces, continuous casting machines, bar rolling mills, the plant’s Quality Control Centre and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

“This new solution will enable Qatar Steel to better monitor and control material flow, production processes, equipment performance, operator activities, and other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) at various levels of the organization,” said Erik Udstuen, Vice President of Software & Services for GE Intelligent Platforms, “It will also be able to aggregate data for top management reporting and decision-making.”

The Middle East is expected to produce more than 60 million tons of raw steel by 2010 and Qatar Steel will be a forerunner in this production. The company is regarded as an innovator and has been instrumental in the development of the region since 1978 when production began.
“The GE team engaged us well and has taken the time to understand our requirements and made every effort to demonstrate the capabilities of their technology to meet our demands in Qatar,” said Sheikh Nasser Al Tani, Managing Director of Qatar Steel.

“The decision was made after an exhaustive evaluation process including current and future requirements analysis, return on investment scenarios and implementation methodology,” said Malek Hamdieh, Manager IT for Qatar Steel.

The extensive pilot project tackled the plant’s biggest problem area –- tracking and optimizing the raw material input to the plant. The previous system was based on large quantities of hand written material that was difficult to control and use making information analysis slow and prone to error.

The planned implementation will include Proficy iFIX providing the tools for monitoring the process from the control room, and Proficy Portal providing web access to the analysis tools. The PACSystems RX3i will be used to automatically collect and bring plant process data to the Proficy software where no such systems existed in the older sections of the plant.

“The Proficy Software enables us to deliver on work simplification, elimination of errors and delays in providing real time information with the context for better and faster decisions,” said Yousef Al Emadi, Qatar Steel Production Manager.

The pilot project took two months to develop and install. The implementation of the Proficy Software solution is expected to be complete in 14 months.