New Year Checkups

As we kick off 2026 on this crisp January 5th, the holiday dust has settled, and operations are ramping back up across the San Juan Basin and beyond. For technical professionals, engineers, and business owners in oil & gas, water & wastewater, agriculture, and other industrial sectors, the new year isn’t just about resolutions—it’s the perfect time for a full-system review. At Edwards Automation and Design, we see this as prime opportunity for preventive maintenance on your automation infrastructure: PLC panels, VFD systems, HMI/SCADA integrations, custom control panels, and the engineered designs that keep your operations running safely and efficiently.

Think of it as your annual “health check” for the critical systems that control pumps, valves, compressors, flow meters, and entire processes. Small oversights today can lead to unplanned downtime, regulatory headaches, or safety risks tomorrow. Whether you align this audit with the calendar year for simplicity or your fiscal calendar (common in oil & gas for budgeting and compliance reporting), consistency is key.

Why Now? Timing Your System Audits for Maximum Impact

The start of the year brings a natural pause after Q4 push and holiday slowdowns. Crews are back, production data from the past 12 months is fresh, and budgets are being finalized. Psychologically, it’s a reset point—perfect for auditing systems before spring turnarounds or summer peak loads in oil & gas fields.

For many in our industry, fiscal year-end (often September 30th or December 31st) aligns better with tax filings, reserve reporting, and capital planning. If your fiscal calendar dictates end-of-year audits, use that window for deep dives into equipment performance metrics, compliance documentation, and upgrade planning. The goal? Preventative action that reduces emergency calls and extends asset life. At Edwards Automation and Design, we’ve helped clients in Farmington and across the Southwest region turn these annual reviews into measurable gains in uptime and cost savings.

Core Industrial Systems: PLC Panels, VFDs, and Control Enclosures

Your PLC panels are the heartbeat of operations—whether controlling wellhead valves, pump sequencing in water facilities, or compressor logic in gas processing. A new year checkup starts here.

PLC Panel Inspection Checklist (adapted from industry best practices):

Visual & Environmental Check: Inspect for dust buildup, corrosion (critical in harsh oilfield or wastewater environments), and proper sealing. Clean filters and ensure ventilation meets manufacturer specs—overheating shortens component life.
Power Supply & Backup: Verify battery condition on controllers (replace if low), check surge protection, and test redundant power sources. In classified (NNNY) panels common in oil & gas, confirm grounding and explosion-proof integrity.
I/O & Wiring Audit: Tighten terminals, check for loose connections or vibration-induced wear, and test I/O modules for faults. Use diagnostic LEDs and software tools (e.g., Studio 5000 or TIA Portal) to scan for errors.
Program & Firmware Review: Upload the current program as backup, compare against last year’s version, and update firmware if security patches or optimizations are available. Document changes for compliance.
Functional Testing: Simulate key sequences (e.g., emergency shutdowns, pump starts) and verify interlocks/safety circuits trip correctly.
Cybersecurity Scan: Review network access logs, update passwords, patch vulnerabilities, and ensure OT security aligns with current standards—especially vital as cyber threats to industrial systems rise.

These steps, performed annually, can catch issues early. We’ve seen clients avoid multi-day outages by proactively replacing aging capacitors or relays during these reviews.

SCADA & HMI Systems: Visibility and Data Integrity

Your SCADA/HMI setup provides the oversight layer—real-time monitoring, alarming, and historical trending that drive decisions in remote oil & gas sites or treatment plants.

Annual checkup priorities:

Communication & Network Health: Test DNP3, Modbus, or Ethernet/IP links to RTUs/PLCs. Check for packet loss, latency, or failover issues in wireless/radio networks.
Tag & Database Audit: Verify tag mappings, alarm thresholds, and historical data logging. Clean up unused tags and archive old data.
Cyber & Access Review: Conduct a vulnerability scan, enforce multi-factor authentication, and review user permissions. With increasing regulatory scrutiny (e.g., EPA, OSHA), document compliance.
HMI Screen Refresh: Update graphics for better operator usability, incorporate new process variables, and test mobile/remote access.
Backup & Redundancy: Confirm server backups, disaster recovery plans, and test failover to secondary systems.

Integrating these with your PLCs ensures seamless data flow—something our team at Edwards Automation and Design specializes in for tailored solutions.

Oil & Gas Field-Specific Audits: From Wellhead to Pipeline

In the oil & gas sector—our backyard here in the San Juan Basin—field equipment demands extra rigor:

Wellpad & Production Controls: Inspect RTUs/PLCs for pressure integrity, recalibrate flow meters and sensors, and test blowout preventers per API standards.
Pipeline & Storage: Use ultrasonic or drone inspections for corrosion/leaks, review emissions logs for Quad O compliance, and verify VRU optimization.
Hazardous Area Compliance: Double-check UL-508A and classified panel certifications, ensuring enclosures withstand dust, moisture, and explosive atmospheres.

These audits often tie into fiscal reporting—production data, reserves, and environmental metrics—making year-end alignment ideal.

Broader Business & Personal Tie-Ins for Owners & Engineers

While technical systems take center stage, don’t overlook the human side:

Financial Review: Audit project costs, vendor contracts, and ROI on automation upgrades. Tools like QuickBooks help forecast based on past year data.
Team & Skill Check: Review certifications (e.g., for PLC programming or safety systems), plan training, and assess workload for burnout prevention.
Personal Health & Work-Life: Long field hours in remote locations take a toll—schedule your physical, track sleep/exercise, and reflect on stress from Q4 turnarounds.

Making It a Habit: Your Edwards Automation Checklist

At Edwards Automation and Design, we partner with clients to deliver custom panels, PLC programming, VFD integration, and full system design. Use this as your starting point for 2026:

Schedule your audit (calendar or fiscal).
Document findings with photos and logs.
Prioritize fixes—safety first, then efficiency.
Backup everything.
Plan upgrades (we’re here to help with UL-508A panels or SCADA retrofits).

A thorough new year checkup isn’t busywork—it’s strategic maintenance that boosts reliability, cuts costs, and keeps you ahead in a competitive industry. As we move through 2026 with energy transitions and tech advancements, resilient systems will separate leaders from the rest.

From all of us at Edwards Automation and Design, we wish you a Happy New Years!!!! As well as wish you a great 2026 to come!