The Remote Security Systems product, Access Control System (ACS), is an Internet based system that is a combination of software and hardware that controls access to oil field site property, devices and equipment.  The system can be tailored to not only control access and secure such things as oil off loading valves, but can also monitor tank levels, control valves, flow rates, or other measurements that may be required.  Video surveillance or photos of site activity is also an option.  RSS specializes in providing physically secure enclosures where method of entry is not apparent and that include multiple sensors that monitor and report tampering and other events.  The system software is Windows based and is extremely user friendly.

The ACS offers oil companies the ability to secure tank battery and production sites as well as secure devices within the sites.  Other benefits from installing the ACS include the prevention of vandalism and reducing exposure to spills or other incidents that could lead to costly cleanup and issues with the EPA.  One of the most significant features of the ACS is that it offers oil and pipeline companies the ability to eliminate mechanical keys and locks which, as a rule, are extremely difficult to maintain and control.

System Overview

RSS utilizes a small silicon chip key and a special electronic lock.  Each employee, technician or contractor to which entry to a site or specific equipment or device is authorized is issued their ID specific key.  The key is virtually impossible to duplicate.  Generally management or the controller of the software maintains key authorization control and can limit key use to specific sites, devices, time of day and days of week.  A permanent record of all key/technician activity is maintained in the software.  On each device a specially designed key reader is installed and the electronic lock is hidden.  When the key is applied by the field service technician to the key reader, an electronic authorization dialog is initiated between the device controller (a printed circuit board housed in a specially designed enclosure) and the central ACS manager software.  Access is granted only if the key is listed among authorized keys in the system data base.  The authorization process normally requires only a few seconds to complete.  If the key is legitimate, the lock is released automatically.

Each device is monitored for tampering.  Any attempt to breach a device is detected by sensing circuits, and immediately reported to the host or client server software.  The sensing circuits are highly sensitive and will detect a change between the ambient temperature and body temperature as well as motion. Inserting a finger through a drilled hole is generally sufficient to cause a tamper alert to be initiated.  There is of course no way to prevent a vandal from inflicting damage upon the key reader port, but damaging or destroying the reader port does not advance the offender toward gaining access to the device, and it will likely trigger a tamper reporting event.  The lock also has a micro-switch that informs the software as to whether the lock is in a locked or open position. 

The RSS ACS oil field application operates over any major provider’s cellular network.  RSS will engineer the system at each site to accommodate the customer’s requirements.  Access to the Internet is achieved normally by wireless cellular router, but satellite is available in locations that do not have cellular service.  The software can run on practically any server that has Windows and a single PC can service thousands of devices.  Normal data volume is very low and therefore the monthly cellular service cost at each secured site should be the minimum.