Belden Design Seminar: Ethernet Networking for Oil and Gas Applications

Texans have a well-earned reputation for being some of the friendliest and most welcoming folks in the country

Editor's Note: This article was contributed by Tim Wallaert, our marketing director responsible for the Energy sector.

So as a Texan (full disclosure: I wasn't born here, but I got here as quick as I could), let me extend a big Texas-size welcome and invite you to attend this year's Industrial Ethernet Infrastructure Design Seminar to be held in Houston Sept. 21-24.

Don't be scared off by that formal sounding title … the seminar is all about learning practical, no-nonsense, I can use this immediately when I get back on the job" tips to improve your Ethernet network design skills.

So first, some more details about the overall seminar and then a word about a new part of the seminar dedicated to what Houston is known for—oil and gas.

The Industrial Ethernet Infrastructure (IEI) Design Seminar is four days of presentations, hands-on labs and guest speakers that provide practical, no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is information for designing, implementing and maintaining industrial Ethernet networks.

Design Seminar Early Bird Pricing Expires July 31st

It begins with a welcome reception on Sunday, Sept. 21 (Drinks are on us! Have you tried the Shiner Bock?), and goes through Wednesday, Sept. 24, with four sessions per day. This year, the event will be in the heart of the oil and gas industry: Houston, Texas.

The courses cover:

Ethernet fundamentals and industrial Ethernet infrastructure best practices

Network security, industrial wireless and selecting the right cables for oil and gas applications

In-depth network management, redundancy, and isolation/segmentation sessions and hands-on labs

A full track of four sessions and three hands-on labs focusing on wireless applications and technologies

Detailed information on the event, including the session tracks and descriptions, is available at the end of this article.

Sound good? It gets better.

Register by the early bird deadline of July 31, and you will save $150 off the regular price of $900.

Still not sure? If you are involved in oil and gas, you'll want to check this out … an entire portion of the seminar is specifically dedicated to oil and gas applications.

Special Sessions on Oil and Gas Applications

On top of general industrial Ethernet infrastructure best practices sessions, we'll present three specialized courses for oil and gas applications. These sessions are centered on the topical areas of cyber security, the use of wireless technologies to solve application challenges, and how to select the right cable to ensure high system reliability.

Part 1: Security for Oil and Gas Applications

While cyber security for oil and gas facilities is increasingly important, solutions do not need to be complex. This session discusses what the real risks to network infrastructure are, and describes best practices and simple approaches for improving defenses. Real world examples will be shown and you'll learn how to take the examples and apply them to your own oil and gas applications.

Part 2: Wireless for Oil and Gas Applications

Confused as to how wireless can solve oil and gas application challenges? Come to this session to learn how wireless can be used to improve oil field operations, midstream transportation and storage, or downstream refineries. Real world examples will be used to demonstrate where wireless can be deployed and you will learn what design considerations to keep in mind.

Part 3: Selecting the Right Cable for Demanding Oil and Gas Applications

Do you need bronze braiding or continuous armoring? Or both? What about ABS or DNV certification? Or low-smoke zero halogen? It can be a challenge to translate the environmental and performance needs of cables used in oil and gas into the proper cable specification. This session will walk you through the typical requirements of oil & gas applications and make some practical recommendations on the types of cables that will perform the best.

The sessions are given by Belden subject matter experts. They all have years of experience working with oil and gas facilities around the world. They share best practices, practical field knowledge and technology updates. You will learn their tips and tricks and be able to go back to your job better equipped to design, implement, maintain and manage industrial networks.

Practical Takeaways … and Don't Forget to Register Early

We promise you will leave the event with these key takeaways:

A good understanding of three important aspects of communications systems for oil and gas applications: cyber security, wireless and cabling.

Practical and immediate next steps you can take back to your boss or system engineer after the event.

Knowledge of where to go for more information on the industry's latest and greatest, for both automation products and best practices.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the event overall or this oil and gas focused track in the comments section below.

I hope you'll join us for these sessions. And don't forget, if you register by July 31 you will save $150 off the regular seminar price of $900.

I look forward to seeing you in Houston so I can add a hearty Texas handshake and thank you for attending. You won't be sorry.

Thanks! Tim