Case: From Backup to Preparedness – Disaster Recovery Test with INEOS

The partnership between INEOS and Tipatek shows how targeted disaster recovery testing and procedural optimization can form the foundation for a resilient, compliant contingency strategy. During an intensive three-day program at Tipatek’s test facilities in Odense, INEOS transformed their Syd Arne offshore platform backup into a fully operational recovery plan.

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The case was last updated: October 10, 2025.

Syd Arne and INEOS' Offshore Operations in the North Sea

As a key contributor to Denmark’s energy production, INEOS operates under the NIS2 Directive, which imposes strict requirements for cybersecurity and information infrastructure—particularly in critical offshore environments like the Syd Arne field.

As the operator of Syd Arne, INEOS has adopted a forward-looking strategy. Rather than simply maintaining legacy systems, they are actively integrating modern automation technologies to extend the field’s lifespan and enhance the efficiency and stability of subsea production.

Safety remains the cornerstone of INEOS’ operations - whether in platform working conditions or digital system integrity. This commitment to reliability and resilience is precisely what led to the collaboration with Tipatek: to develop and validate a robust disaster recovery plan tailored to the unique demands of offshore automation.

Disaster recovery - Validating Readiness Before Failure Occurs

While many organisations believe their backup systems are secure, the real challenge arises when those systems must be activated in a real incident. In practice, a backup alone does not constitute a contingency plan.

A disaster recovery test goes beyond technical verification - it is a comprehensive, scenario-based evaluation of whether recovery procedures function as intended. It examines every step of the contingency process: from restoring critical data and restarting essential applications to ensuring operations continue with minimal disruption.

As regulatory demands intensify, particularly under frameworks like the NIS2 Directive, the importance of proactive disaster recovery has never been greater. Tipatek’s CTO & partner, Brian Quaade, underscores this shift:

“It’s no longer just about best practices - it’s about compliance and accountability. The real question isn’t whether you have a backup. It’s whether you’ve tested that it actually works.”

Brian Quaade
CTO and Partner at Tipatek

A Shift in Mindset – From ‘If’ to ‘When’

With the NIS2 Directive taking effect as national law on 1 July 2025, organisations like INEOS are now subject to stricter cybersecurity and risk management requirements.

Compared to its predecessor, NIS1, the updated directive introduces more detailed, binding obligations for leadership, alongside significantly tougher penalties for non-compliance.

For INEOS, this means backup systems and recovery procedures can no longer be treated as static components of control systems, updated only rarely. As Peter Jensen from INEOS explains: “It’s about regaining control and validating systems before failure occurs.”

While cyberattacks remain a concern, INEOS emphasises that more frequent disruptions stem from PLC faults or controller shutdowns—issues that can severely impact production.

And unlike routine hardware replacements, testing and validating disaster recovery procedures is not part of everyday operations, making it all the more critical to embed this mindset across the organisation.

"It’s about shifting the philosophy from ‘if it happens’ to ‘when it happens’. That change gives you a stronger foundation to act decisively."

Kenneth Sandau
Senior Technical Authorities Aut&Telecom at INEOS Energy

Tipatek fully supports this proactive approach. As CTO Brian Quaade reinforces: “A backup isn’t truly a backup until you’ve tested that it works.”

A Tailored 3-day Program - Strenghtening Procedures Through Hands-On Testing

Over a three-day, hands-on program at Tipatek’s test facilities, automation engineer Kelvin Nielsen worked closely with INEOS to test, validate, and optimise disaster recovery procedures for the Syd Arne platform.

According to Kelvin, the program is a constructive way to test different aspects of a backup system. This enables the creation of procedures for multiple scenarios – ensuring the organisation is as well prepared as possible.

“What I really value is the flexibility. The agenda isn’t fixed - INEOS can steer the focus as we go, and we shape the process together.”

Kelvin Nielsen
Automation Engineer at Tipatek

The training was conducted using INEOS’ own equipment, IP configurations, and documentation—ensuring maximum relevance and realism. This level of customisation revealed system-specific challenges that would likely have gone unnoticed in a generic digital manual.

"Even though we’re working with standard ABB and Siemens systems, the setup was tailored to our environment. That kind of customisation makes all the difference."

Peter Jensen
System Technician ICS/IT at INEOS

More than just technical validation, the program served as a learning platform. By allowing INEOS personnel to take the lead—under expert supervision—they were able to explore, troubleshoot, and internalise the procedures. This experiential learning approach ensures that those who must follow the recovery plan also understand it deeply.

Disaster recovery is not just about having a plan—it’s about knowing how to execute it under pressure. And as INEOS discovered, it’s far better to test and refine that plan in advance than to discover its flaws during a real failure.

INEOS Takes Back Control

From the beginning, INEOS’ objective was clear: to regain control over their disaster recovery processes by empowering internal teams to take an active role. Involving employees directly in testing and validation not only strengthens organisational resilience - it also builds confidence and ownership.

“It’s about giving people the confidence that they can handle it themselves”

Kenneth Sandau
Senior Technical Authority, Automation & Telecom, INEOS

The three-day program at Tipatek resulted in a strengthened and expanded backup strategy for the Syd Arne offshore platform. But the collaboration didn’t end there.

Four weeks later, INEOS returned to Tipatek to review and refine the newly drafted recovery instructions. Together with Kelvin Nielsen, they closed gaps and ensured the procedures were implementation ready.

This iterative process highlights a key principle in automation: each system has its own complexity. Success depends on adapting procedures to the unique challenges of every plant.

"Of course, you need to be able to restore your plant. But as systems grow more complex, testing becomes essential. I thought I could do it—but the path was more intricate than expected.

To others, I simply say: discover it for yourself and get started!"

Peter Jensen
System Technician ICS/IT at INEOS Energy

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Case: ​From Backup to Preparedness – Disaster Recovery Test with INEOS