Altus brings automation innovation to OTC 2025 in Houston

From May 5 to 8, 2025, Altus will be attending another edition of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), held at NRG Park in Houston, Texas, USA. Recognized as one of the leading global showcases for the Oil & Gas sector, the event gathers top industry players and cutting-edge technologies from around the world. 

OTC serves as a central hub for energy professionals, offering a unique platform for exchanging ideas and innovations, fostering dialogue and collaboration, and addressing the most pressing challenges in the offshore energy landscape. From oil and gas to solar, wind, hydrogen, and other marine resources, the conversations will center on the technologies shaping and accelerating the transition of the global energy matrix. 

With a strong presence in both onshore and offshore sectors, Altus will take part in the event showcasing its leading technologies in process automation and control. Currently, our solutions are responsible for 18% of Brazil’s total oil and gas production and 35% of the output from the Pre-Salt fields, with a total of 27 automated platforms. Our technologies are also present in 3% of FPSOs worldwide, reinforcing our position as a trusted reference in the industry. 

The Brazilian delegation at the event is organized jointly by ABIMAQ and ApexBrasil, who are responsible for setting up the pavilion where Altus will be located. Our team of specialists will be available at booth 3448, table 20, in the Brazil Pavilion at NRG Park (1 Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77054), to demonstrate how our solutions can enhance performance, safety, and availability in offshore operations. 

Stay tuned for the next paragraphs, where we’ll dive into the details of the technologies we’ll be presenting at OTC 2025. 

Safety and high availability for E&P processes

Visitors to the Altus booth at OTC 2025 will have the opportunity to explore our most advanced automation and control solutions for both onshore and offshore operations. 

This year, the spotlight will be on the latest innovations developed for our Nexto Series PLCs — a product line widely adopted in leading FPSOs operating in Brazil, including Petrobras` replicated units deployed in the Pre-salt exploration fields. 

Designed for high-performance environments, the Nexto controllers deliver fast processing speeds, advanced real-time diagnostics, and network redundancy support, ensuring safety and high availability for critical and complex processes. These features make them ideal for demanding offshore applications such as Top-side, Hull, and CSS (Central Safety Systems) operations. 

One of the highlights of OTC 2025 will be the NX3008, the most advanced CPU in the Nexto Series. This globally oriented product combines cutting-edge software features and robust cybersecurity, making it a key enabler of seamless integration between IT and OT environments. Designed to meet the demands of an increasingly connected industrial landscape, the NX3008 offers a broad range of communication interfaces, allowing easy integration with diverse machines and systems in the market. 

The controller is equipped with three Ethernet ports, including one Gigabit port and two PROFINET Controller ports, enabling its use in MRP ring network architectures — ideal for high-availability industrial networks. 

Fully aligned with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) ecosystem, the NX3008 supports direct writing to SQL databases and native connectivity to major cloud platforms, such as Microsoft Azure, IBM Cloud, Google One, and Amazon AWS. A standout feature among PLCs, the CPU includes a built-in WebServer, allowing users to create custom HMI screens for supervision and monitoring without needing a SCADA system. Another key differentiator is the embedded VPN, which creates a secure, private connection tunnel directly to the CPU. This function enables remote and fully protected access to the control network. To further enhance cybersecurity, the unit also features a built-in firewall. 

The NX3008 supports FTP connections, enabling remote data exchange with servers using this protocol. This allows data packages generated by the controller — such as logs captured via the datalogger function — to be accessed from a distance. 

Additionally, the unit features a native Docker platform, which supports the virtualization of Unix-based software within the controller itself. This built-in functionality brings greater versatility and performance to operations, allowing the CPU to process multiple data streams independently and efficiently. 

Nexto Xpress: a compact all-in-one PLC for industrial IoT 

In addition to the robust products from the Nexto Series, Altus will also showcase its Nexto Xpress line — a compact, IoT-ready PLC solution. Equipped with multiple embedded communication interfaces and supporting a wide range of industrial protocols, Nexto Xpress controllers can act as IoT gateways for small-scale onshore applications. 

Among its many Industry 4.0 features, the Xpress line enables data collection from field devices via MODBUS TCP, for instance, and transmission to a cloud-hosted SCADA system through OPC UA or MQTT. 

When it comes to connectivity, the product includes Ethernet, RS-485 Serial, CAN, and USB interfaces, offering support for a broad list of communication protocols such as MODBUS TCP and RTU, PROFINET, CANopen, J-1939, IEC 60870-5-104, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, OPC DA, OPC UA, and MQTT. These capabilities allow direct communication with the industry`s leading cloud platforms. Like the NX3008 CPU, the XP340 model also features an embedded WebServer for HMI creation and monitoring without the need for additional SCADA software. 

All Xpress controllers, like other products in the Nexto family, are programmed using MasterTool IEC XE — a powerful engineering platform based on CODESYS, scalable for projects ranging from small to large systems (free for up to 320 I/O points). 

Click here to revisit all the details of the latest MasterTool update 

Precision and reliability for control and instrumentation with HART® technology 

With a comprehensive range of field monitoring and positioning devices, the Atta Series delivers essential solutions for your instrumentation needs. Just as leafcutter ants rely on ground vibrations to navigate the steppes and savannas, your business also needs high-precision tools to monitor performance and fine-tune critical points in your production processes. 

Altus’ instrumentation line includes pressure transmitters, temperature transmitters, and valve positioners, as well as dedicated software and accessories designed for field instrumentation demands. These solutions offer exceptional accuracy, reliability, and durability, helping to boost productivity, improve operational efficiency, enhance safety, and lower production costs. 

Using tools based on EDDL and FDT/DTM technologies, users can configure, calibrate, monitor, and diagnose all plant assets with ease—ensuring intelligent management of instrumentation across the entire system. 

If you’re in the Houston area next month, be sure to stop by and discover how Brazilian technology is helping shape the future of industrial automation!