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COMP 2903 A27 – The BP Oils Spill: Could Software be a Culprit?

COMP 2903 A27 – The BP Oils Spill: Could Software be a Culprit?. Danny Silver JSOCS, Acadia University. Don Shafer and Phillip A. Laplante IT Professional from the IEEE Computer Society, Aug 19, 2010. Funny errors -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6p0Zodyx4M. Deepwater Horizon Disaster.

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COMP 2903 A27 – The BP Oils Spill: Could Software be a Culprit?

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  1. COMP 2903A27 – The BP Oils Spill:Could Software be a Culprit? Danny Silver JSOCS, Acadia University

  2. Don Shafer and Phillip A. LaplanteIT Professional from the IEEE Computer Society, Aug 19, 2010 • Funny errors -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6p0Zodyx4M

  3. Deepwater Horizon Disaster

  4. Software Failures on Oil Rigs • Mishandled alarms because of user interface • Untested portions of code • Frozen screens (op. system, app. glitches) • Lack of audit trails (recording of data/user actions) • Is it possible that the Deepwater Horizon was caused by software?

  5. Evidence? • Transocean’s interim report to House of Rep. on June 8, 2010 stated that a full control-system software review was needed • July 19, 2010 article in Houston Chronicle: “display screens on the primary workstation used to operate the drill controls .. had locked up more than once before the deadly accicent”

  6. Speculation – What could have Happened? • Rigs have numerous software subsystems • Variations in hardware, firmware, operating systems, and applications can cause problems similar to that on your laptops • Engineers make best efforts to test/ retest • Hardware and software interfaces are the weakest links • Industry lacks standards in these areas

  7. Mishandled Software Alarms • Alarms are not acted on because: • They are not properly prioritized • There are so many (50 in 10 minutes), the minor ones cry wolf • Calibration errors • Flooding errors

  8. Possible feal failures that could have caused the DH Disaster • Buried Alarm • Driller misinterprets “Mud Trip Tank Overflow” alarm as some other minor alarm and clears it • Missed Alarm • Mud pump fails, but operator considers alarm is because of sensor problem • Software interface so cluttered that user fails to notice details in alarm that point to true cause • Alarm Calibration Error • No alarms existed for detecting unusually high flow and vibration levels in pipes and pumps

  9. Worlds Worst Software Bugs • http://www.wired.com/software/coolapps/news/2005/11/69355?currentPage=all

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