Instrumentation, Automation & Process Control: Advanced 5-Day Training Course

Course Overview

This comprehensive Instrumentation, Automation and Process Control training program delivers cutting-edge knowledge for industrial professionals across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Oman, GCC countries (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain), and Africa. The course covers modern instrumentation technologies, advanced process control systems, industrial automation, and digital transformation strategies essential for optimizing operations in oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, water treatment, and manufacturing sectors.

As the Middle East and Africa embrace Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, and digital oilfields, this training addresses critical competency requirements for engineers working with Saudi Aramco, SABIC, PDO (Petroleum Development Oman), ADNOC, Ma’aden, OQ, Sasol, and other major industrial operators implementing advanced automation and control systems across their facilities.

Target Audience

• Instrumentation Engineers in oil, gas, petrochemical facilities across GCC and Africa

• Control Systems Engineers managing DCS, PLC, SCADA systems

• Automation Specialists implementing Industry 4.0 solutions

• Process Engineers optimizing plant operations in Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE

• Maintenance Engineers responsible for instrumentation reliability

• Project Engineers designing control systems for new facilities

• Technical Managers overseeing automation upgrades and digital transformation

• Operations Personnel interfacing with advanced control systems

Day 1: Industrial Instrumentation Fundamentals

Morning Session: Process Measurement Principles

• Measurement fundamentals: accuracy, precision, rangeability, repeatability

• Sensor and transmitter technologies for harsh environments (high temperature in GCC region)

• Pressure measurement: differential, absolute, gauge pressure transmitters

• Smart transmitters with HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus protocols

• Temperature measurement: thermocouples, RTDs, infrared sensors

• Calibration procedures and standards compliance (SASO, ISO)

• Installation best practices for desert and tropical climates (KSA, Oman, Africa)

Afternoon Session: Flow, Level & Analytical Measurements

• Flow measurement technologies: orifice plates, venturi, magnetic, ultrasonic, Coriolis

• Custody transfer metering in oil & gas operations across Saudi Arabia and Oman

• Level measurement: radar, ultrasonic, guided wave radar, differential pressure

• Tank gauging systems for refineries and storage terminals

• Analytical instrumentation: gas chromatography, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen

• Vibration monitoring and machinery protection systems

• Practical exercises: Instrument selection for GCC and African applications

Day 2: Control Valves & Final Control Elements

Morning Session: Control Valve Technology

• Control valve sizing and selection methodologies

• Valve characteristics: linear, equal percentage, quick opening

• Actuator types: pneumatic, electric, hydraulic systems

• Positioners and digital valve controllers with diagnostics

• Cavitation and flashing prevention in hot climate operations

• Noise reduction and anti-surge valve applications

• Material selection for corrosive and high-temperature services (petrochemical plants)

Afternoon Session: Advanced Final Control Elements

• Variable speed drives (VFDs) for pump and compressor control

• Smart positioners with partial stroke testing (PST) capabilities

• Emergency shutdown valves (ESD) and safety instrumented systems (SIS)

• On-off valves: ball, gate, butterfly, globe valves

• Control valve maintenance and troubleshooting strategies

• Performance diagnostics and predictive maintenance

• Case studies: Major projects in Jubail (KSA), Sohar (Oman), Ruwais (UAE)

Day 3: Distributed Control Systems (DCS) & PLCs

Morning Session: DCS Architecture & Operations

• DCS fundamentals: architecture, hardware, software components

• Major DCS platforms: Honeywell Experion, Emerson DeltaV, Yokogawa CENTUM, ABB 800xA

• Controller configuration and programming basics

• Input/Output (I/O) systems and fieldbus integration

• Operator interface design: HMI best practices for Saudi Aramco and PDO standards

• Alarm management and rationalization (ISA 18.2 standards)

• Hands-on exercises: DCS configuration and graphics development

Afternoon Session: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

• PLC architecture: Siemens S7, Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, Schneider Modicon

• Ladder logic programming fundamentals

• Function block diagrams and structured text programming

• PLC vs. DCS application selection criteria

• Industrial networks: Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP/IP

• Integration with DCS and SCADA systems

• Practical workshop: PLC programming for typical process applications

Day 4: SCADA Systems & Advanced Process Control

Morning Session: SCADA & Industrial Networks

• SCADA system architecture for pipeline and remote facilities

• Remote terminal units (RTUs) and communication protocols

• Wireless instrumentation and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) devices

• Cybersecurity for industrial control systems critical for GCC infrastructure

• OPC UA standards and data integration

• Cloud-based monitoring solutions for distributed assets in Africa

• Regional applications: Pipeline monitoring across Saudi Arabia, Oman oil fields, African mining

Afternoon Session: Advanced Process Control (APC)

• Model Predictive Control (MPC) principles and applications

• Multivariable control strategies for complex processes

• APC implementation in refineries and petrochemical plants (SABIC, Aramco)

• Cascade, feedforward, and ratio control strategies

• PID tuning techniques: Ziegler-Nichols, Cohen-Coon, lambda tuning

• Control loop performance monitoring and optimization

• Economic benefits: APC case studies from GCC refineries and gas plants

• Soft sensors and inferential control for unmeasured variables

Day 5: Safety Systems & Digital Transformation

Morning Session: Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)

• Functional safety standards: IEC 61508, IEC 61511

• Safety Integrity Level (SIL) determination and verification

• SIS architecture: logic solvers, input/output devices, final elements

• Emergency shutdown (ESD) and fire & gas (F&G) system design

• Proof testing and maintenance of safety systems

• Common cause failures and redundancy strategies

• Compliance requirements: Saudi Aramco SAEP, PDO standards, ADNOC specifications

• Lessons learned from incidents in Middle East and African facilities

Afternoon Session: Industry 4.0 & Digital Technologies

• Digital transformation in oil & gas and industrial sectors across GCC

• Industrial IoT sensors and edge computing applications

• Big data analytics for process optimization

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in process control

• Digital twin technology for plant simulation and optimization

• Augmented reality (AR) for maintenance and operator training

• Smart instrumentation with self-diagnostics and predictive capabilities

• Wireless sensor networks and asset performance management (APM)

• Future trends: Autonomous operations, robotics in hazardous environments

• Vision 2030 alignment: Smart factory initiatives in Saudi Arabia and GCC

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, participants will:

• Design and specify instrumentation systems for industrial applications in Middle East and Africa

• Configure and program DCS and PLC systems for process automation

• Implement advanced process control strategies for operational optimization

• Apply functional safety principles to safety instrumented systems

• Troubleshoot and optimize control loops for enhanced performance

• Evaluate emerging technologies for digital transformation initiatives

• Ensure cybersecurity compliance in industrial automation environments

• Reduce operational costs and improve plant reliability through predictive maintenance

Course Delivery & Certification

• Format: Interactive lectures, simulation software training, hands-on labs, real-world case studies

• Facilities: State-of-the-art training labs with DCS/PLC simulators and instrumentation equipment

• Materials: Comprehensive technical manual, software tools, reference standards

• Certification: Professional certificate recognized by major employers across KSA, Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Africa

• Language: English (Arabic translation available)

• CPD Points: Eligible for continuing professional development credits

• Locations: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al-Khobar (KSA), Muscat (Oman), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and major African industrial cities

Why This Course is Critical for the Region

The GCC and African industrial sectors are investing billions in automation upgrades, smart manufacturing, and digital transformation. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes industrial diversification and technology adoption. Oman’s Vision 2040 focuses on advanced manufacturing. Major projects like NEOM, Duqm Refinery, Ruwais petrochemical expansion, and African mining automation require professionals skilled in modern instrumentation and control technologies.

This training provides practical, hands-on expertise directly applicable to regional projects, incorporating international standards while addressing specific challenges of operating in desert climates, remote locations, and high-temperature environments characteristic of Middle East and African industrial operations.

Master automation. Drive efficiency. Lead digital transformation.