Oil & Gas Control Panels
Oil and Gas Control Panels
Custom oil and gas control panels for wellhead, pump skid, compressor, metering, PLC, RTU, SCADA and hazardous-area-related applications. Built to site environment, signals, shutdown logic, and documentation needs.
Specifications
- Application
- Custom Industrial Automation
- Control Method
- PLC / Relay Based
- Voltage
- 220V / 380V / 480V Available
- Protection Rating
- IP54 / IP65 Optional
- Communication Protocol
- Modbus / Profinet / Ethernet/IP
- Testing
- FAT Before Shipment
- Customization
- Available
Oil and Gas Control Panels
Control Panels for Oil & Gas Sites Where Safety, Environment, and Shutdown Logic Matter First
Uniregal supplies custom oil and gas control panels for wellhead control, pump skids, compressor packages, metering systems, fuel handling, remote stations, process monitoring, and hazardous-area-related control applications.
In oil and gas projects, the control panel is not only used to start equipment or display signals. It may need to support emergency shutdown logic, pressure and flow monitoring, valve status, remote communication, harsh outdoor installation, corrosion resistance, and clear maintenance access.
The first question is not “Can this panel be built?”
The first question is “Where will this panel be installed, and what risk must it control?”
Quick Answer
An oil and gas control panel is an electrical or automation panel used to monitor and control equipment in upstream, midstream, downstream, or utility-related oil and gas applications.
It may handle pressure, flow, temperature, level, valve status, pump control, compressor auxiliary systems, emergency shutdown signals, remote telemetry, PLC/RTU logic, and SCADA communication.
For buyers, the key decision is whether the panel matches the site classification, environmental exposure, control philosophy, safety shutdown requirement, communication method, maintenance practice, and project documentation standard.
Start With the Installation Area
Oil and gas control panels should be specified according to the installation area before component selection begins.
Installation Area | Buyer Concern |
|---|---|
Non-Hazardous Electrical Room | Standard industrial control panel design may be suitable if it only controls remote equipment |
Outdoor Oilfield Site | Weather, temperature, dust, UV, cable entry and remote maintenance matter |
Hazardous Classified Area | Ignition risk, enclosure type, wiring method and certified components must be reviewed |
Offshore / Marine Environment | Corrosion, vibration, space limitation and access difficulty become important |
Skid-Mounted Package | Panel must match package wiring, instrument layout and site interface |
Remote Well Site | Low power design, RTU communication, battery or solar support may be needed |
UL 698A is commonly associated with industrial control panels used in hazardous classified locations where flammable gases, vapors or combustible dust may be present. It does not replace ordinary industrial panel requirements; it adds another layer of hazardous-location safety consideration. UL 698A overview, UL 508A vs UL 698A
Typical Oil and Gas Applications
Application | What the Panel Usually Handles |
|---|---|
Wellhead Control | Valve status, pressure monitoring, ESD signals, local/remote control |
Pump Skid Control | Motor control, VFD, pressure switch, level signal, fault alarm |
Compressor Package | Auxiliary systems, seal gas monitoring, cooling, alarms, shutdown signals |
Metering Skid | Flow meter signals, valve control, pressure and temperature inputs |
Fuel Handling System | Transfer pumps, tank level, leak alarm, emergency stop |
Remote RTU Station | Field signal collection, telemetry, SCADA communication |
Produced Water / Injection System | Pumps, valves, pressure, flow, tank level, chemical dosing |
Loading / Unloading Station | Pump control, interlocks, E-stop, operator station |
Utility System in Oil & Gas Plant | HVAC, water, power, compressor auxiliaries and plant support equipment |
Main Control Functions
Function | Why It Matters in Oil & Gas |
|---|---|
Emergency Shutdown | Equipment must move to a defined safe state when abnormal signals occur |
Pressure Monitoring | High or low pressure can indicate blocked lines, pump issues or unsafe conditions |
Flow Monitoring | Flow confirmation is often needed before pumps, dosing or transfer operations continue |
Valve Position Feedback | Operators need to know whether critical valves are open, closed or failed to move |
Local / Remote Mode | Field teams may need local control while SCADA or control room has remote visibility |
Alarm Prioritization | Not every alarm has the same consequence; shutdown, warning and maintenance alarms should be separated |
Communication | Remote oilfield sites often depend on RTU, SCADA, modem, router or gateway communication |
Power Backup | Some sites may require UPS, battery or solar-supported control power |
Harsh Environment Protection | Heat, dust, rain, corrosion and vibration affect enclosure and component selection |
Panel Types We Can Support
Panel Type | Suitable For |
|---|---|
PLC Control Panel | Local automation, process logic, pump and skid control |
RTU Control Panel | Remote well sites, telemetry, SCADA signal collection |
ESD Interface Panel | Emergency shutdown signal collection and field interface |
Pump Skid Control Panel | Transfer pumps, injection pumps, produced water pumps |
Compressor Auxiliary Control Panel | Seal gas, lubrication, cooling and auxiliary monitoring |
Wellhead Control Interface Panel | Wellhead signal monitoring and control system interface |
Metering Skid Control Panel | Flow, pressure, temperature, valve and data interface |
Hazardous Area Related Control Panel | Projects requiring hazardous-location review and suitable enclosure strategy |
Retrofit Control Panel | Replacement of old panels, obsolete PLCs, unclear wiring or damaged field interfaces |
Signals and Field Devices
Oil and gas panels usually depend heavily on field signals. The panel must be designed around the actual instrument list, not only around the cabinet size.
Signal / Device | Example |
|---|---|
Pressure | Pressure transmitter, pressure switch, high-high pressure alarm |
Flow | Flow meter, pulse signal, 4-20mA flow transmitter |
Temperature | RTD, thermocouple, temperature transmitter |
Level | Tank level transmitter, float switch, high/low level alarm |
Valve Feedback | Open/close limit switch, solenoid valve, actuator feedback |
Motor Status | Run, fault, overload, VFD feedback |
Safety Signal | E-stop, shutdown input, permissive signal, trip output |
Gas / Fire Interface | Alarm contact or interface signal if required by project scope |
Communication | Modbus RTU/TCP, Ethernet, serial, radio modem, cellular router, SCADA interface |
PLC, RTU, HMI and SCADA
Oil and gas projects may use PLC, RTU, HMI and SCADA together, but they do not serve the same purpose.
System Layer | Typical Role |
|---|---|
PLC | Handles local logic, interlocks, alarms, pump/valve control |
RTU | Collects field data from remote sites and sends it to SCADA |
HMI | Gives local operators status, alarms, setpoints and manual control |
SCADA Interface | Provides remote monitoring, alarm visibility and historical data |
Gateway / Router | Supports communication between site equipment and plant network |
Remote oil and gas wellhead applications often require wide operating temperature range, low power consumption and reliable remote communication. These concerns appear frequently in RTU and wellhead control discussions. Yokogawa RTU wellhead reference
Wellhead and Shutdown Logic
Wellhead-related panels are different from ordinary machine control panels because they may be tied to safe shutdown behavior.
A wellhead control panel may monitor or interface with safety valves, pressure switches, solenoid valves, hydraulic or pneumatic actuation, local controls and emergency shutdown signals. WHCP discussions commonly focus on controlling wellhead valves and enabling safe shutdown during abnormal conditions or maintenance. Wellhead control panel selection reference
For these projects, the buyer should confirm:
Item | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
Controlled Valves | Determines output type, power, pneumatic or hydraulic interface |
Shutdown Philosophy | Defines what happens during high pressure, low pressure, fire/gas alarm or E-stop |
Local Manual Override | Field operators may need controlled access during maintenance |
Pressure Monitoring | Wellhead safety often depends on reliable pressure signals |
SCADA / RTU Interface | Remote operators need status and alarm visibility |
Fail-Safe State | The panel must support the project’s safe-state requirement |
Enclosure and Environmental Options
Requirement | Options / Considerations |
|---|---|
Material | Powder-coated steel, stainless steel, or project-specified material |
Installation | Indoor, outdoor, skid-mounted, wall-mounted, floor-standing |
Protection | IP-rated or NEMA-rated enclosure according to site requirement |
Corrosion Resistance | Stainless steel or surface treatment for coastal, offshore or chemical exposure |
Temperature | Cooling fan, heater, thermostat, sunshade or thermal review if required |
Cable Entry | Gland plate, bottom entry, side entry or project-specific cable routing |
Door Lock | Cam lock, handle lock, padlock provision or site standard |
Hazardous Location | An explosion-proof or intrinsically safe strategy must follow the project classification |
Important Specifications to Confirm
Parameter | Options / Information Needed |
|---|---|
Application | Wellhead, pump skid, compressor, metering, RTU station, ESD interface |
Installation Area | Safe area, outdoor area, hazardous classified area, offshore, skid-mounted |
Area Classification | Class/Division, Zone, gas group, temperature class if applicable |
Power Supply | 24VDC, 110VAC, 220VAC, 380VAC, 415VAC, or customized |
Control Power | 24VDC / 110VAC / 220VAC / UPS-backed if required |
PLC / RTU Platform | Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Schneider, Omron, Mitsubishi, Delta or project-specified |
I/O Capacity | Customized according to instrument list |
Digital I/O | 24VDC, relay output, transistor output, dry contact interface |
Analog I/O | 4-20mA, 0-10V, RTD, thermocouple, pulse |
Communication | Modbus RTU/TCP, Ethernet, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, serial, router or gateway |
HMI Option | No HMI, local display, 7-15 inch HMI, customized |
Enclosure | Steel, stainless steel, outdoor, IP/NEMA-rated, explosion-proof if required |
Documentation | GA drawing, schematic, I/O list, terminal list, cable schedule, test report |
What Should Be Confirmed Before Quotation?
Oil and gas control panel quotations should not start from a cabinet photo. They should start from site conditions and risk boundaries.
Information Needed | Example |
|---|---|
Site Type | Wellhead, pipeline station, refinery utility, pump skid, offshore package |
Installation Location | Safe area, hazardous area, outdoor, skid-mounted, electrical room |
Hazardous Area Details | Class/Division or Zone, gas group, temperature class, certification requirement |
Process Function | Pump control, valve control, pressure monitoring, ESD interface, RTU telemetry |
Instrument List | Pressure, flow, temperature, level, valve feedback, gas/fire interface |
Signal Type | 4-20mA, dry contact, RTD, thermocouple, pulse, communication signal |
Shutdown Logic | E-stop, high-pressure trip, low-pressure trip, permissive, fail-safe output |
Communication | SCADA, RTU, Modbus, Ethernet, radio, cellular, plant network |
Power Requirement | Main power, control power, UPS, battery, solar if needed |
Documentation Standard | Drawings, I/O list, terminal list, FAT record, cable schedule |
Testing and FAT Focus
For oil and gas projects, testing should focus on signal correctness and shutdown behavior, not only whether the cabinet powers on.
Typical inspection and FAT items may include:
- Component model verification
- Enclosure and nameplate inspection
- Wiring continuity check
- Grounding check
- Terminal and wire label inspection
- Control voltage check
- PLC / RTU I/O signal check
- Analog signal simulation when applicable
- HMI alarm and status check when applicable
- Communication check when applicable
- E-stop and shutdown signal check according to agreed logic
- Valve command and feedback simulation when applicable
- Packing inspection before delivery
Retrofit and Replacement Projects
Many oil and gas control panel inquiries come from existing sites where equipment is still operating but the control system has become difficult to maintain.
The old panel may contain discontinued PLCs, unclear terminal labels, damaged relays, outdated RTU equipment, missing drawings or components that are difficult to replace locally.
For retrofit projects, buyers can send panel photos, PLC/RTU model, instrument list, wiring drawings, site area classification, shutdown logic notes and a description of the current operating problem. We can review the available information and suggest a practical replacement or upgrade configuration.
FAQ
What are oil and gas control panels?
Oil and gas control panels are electrical or automation panels used to monitor and control equipment such as pumps, valves, wellheads, compressors, metering skids, RTU stations and shutdown interfaces in oil and gas applications.
What makes an oil and gas control panel different from a normal industrial control panel?
The difference is usually the site risk. Oil and gas panels may need to consider hazardous area classification, outdoor exposure, corrosion, remote communication, emergency shutdown logic, pressure monitoring and strict documentation.
Can the panel be used in a hazardous area?
That depends on the area classification and certification requirement. A panel installed directly in a hazardous classified area may need explosion-proof or certified hazardous-location design. A panel installed in a safe area but connected to field devices in hazardous areas may need a different intrinsically safe or barrier-based strategy.
What is the difference between UL 508A and UL 698A?
UL 508A is commonly used for general industrial control panels. UL 698A is associated with control panels for hazardous classified locations and adds hazardous-location safety requirements. The exact requirement should be confirmed according to the project location and authority requirement.
Can you build PLC or RTU panels for oilfield sites?
Yes. PLC or RTU panels can be configured for remote monitoring, pump control, pressure and flow signals, valve feedback, alarm outputs and SCADA communication according to the project scope.
What information is needed for quotation?
Please send the application, installation area, hazardous area classification if applicable, instrument list, signal type, shutdown logic, communication requirement, power supply, enclosure requirement and available drawings or photos.
Can you replace an old oil and gas control panel?
Yes. For replacement projects, send old panel photos, PLC/RTU model, wiring drawings if available, field device list, voltage information, and shutdown logic notes. We can review the information and propose a practical replacement configuration.
Request a Quotation
Send us your site type, installation area, area classification, instrument list, shutdown logic, communication requirement, voltage, enclosure requirement, and available drawings.
Our team will review the oil and gas control panel requirement from site risk, control function, communication, and documentation before quotation, so the proposal is based on the real project conditions rather than only a cabinet price.
Start Your Project
Looking for a reliable partner for oil & gas automation and industrial control systems?
Contact UniRegal Automation today.
- Email: info@uniregal.com
- Website: https://www.uniregal.com