diff --git a/slac_db/create/lcls_elements.py b/slac_db/create/lcls_elements.py
index 988bbae..8b91f77 100644
--- a/slac_db/create/lcls_elements.py
+++ b/slac_db/create/lcls_elements.py
@@ -1,6 +1,31 @@
 import csv
+from sqlalchemy import create_engine, text
 import slac_db.config
 import slac_db.oracle
+from slac_db.oracle_remote import get_connection
+
+def get_lcls_elements_csv(csv_output='lcls_elements.csv'):
+    """Get the lcls_elements.csv file from Oracle. 
+    This function only works on production.
+    
+    Args:
+        csv_output: Name of the output csv file.
+    """
+    engine    = get_connection()
+    sql_query = text("select * from lcls_infrastructure.V_LCLS_ELEMENTS_DIAG")
+
+    try:
+        with engine.connect() as connection:
+            import pandas as pd
+            df = pd.read_sql(sql_query, connection)
+            df.to_csv(csv_output, index=False)
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"An error occurred: {e}")
+
+    engine.dispose()
+    return None
+
 
 def to_oracle_db(csv_source=None):
     """ Build  oracle DB with SQLAlchemy.
@@ -31,3 +56,6 @@ def _parse_csv(self, reader):
             values = [None if v == '' else v for v in row]
             self.rows[i] =  dict(zip(names, values))
             i += 1
+
+
+
diff --git a/slac_db/oracle_remote.py b/slac_db/oracle_remote.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a239ae4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slac_db/oracle_remote.py
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+import slac_db.config
+import sqlalchemy
+import pykern.sql_db
+import os.path
+import os
+from oracle import get_address_header, get_devices, get_all_rows, get_device_row, get_beampaths, get_areas, recreate
+
+_ORACLE_TNS      = 'slacprod' # name/connection of Oracle DB on prod
+_ORACLE_USERNAME = 'lcls_read'
+
+_meta = None
+
+def get_address_header(device=None):
+    """Get address header of a device.
+
+    Args:
+        device (str): MAD name of the device as found in Oracle.
+
+    Returns:
+        tuple: The address header.
+    """
+    with _session() as s:
+        return s.select_one(
+            sqlalchemy.select(
+                s.t.elements.c["control system name"]
+            ).where(
+                s.t.elements.c["element"] == device
+            )
+        )["control system name"]
+
+
+def get_beampaths():
+    """Get all beampaths from Oracle.
+
+    Returns:
+        List of beampaths sorted alphabetically.
+    """
+    beampaths = set()
+    def parse_beampaths(beampath_csv):
+        if beampath_csv is None:
+            return
+        c = beampath_csv.replace(' ', '').split(',')
+        c = filter(None, c)
+        beampaths.update(c)
+
+    with _session() as s:
+        query = sqlalchemy.select(s.t.elements.c.beampath).distinct()
+        for r in s.select(query):
+            parse_beampaths(r.beampath)
+    return sorted(list(beampaths))
+
+def get_connection():
+    """Start and return connection to Oracle. This only works on production."""
+    password  = _get_oracle_pw(_ORACLE_USERNAME)
+    connection_string = _get_remote_uri()
+    engine    = sqlalchemy.create_engine(connection_string)
+    return engine.connect() # TODO: Do I need to watch out how this is closed if I pass this way?
+
+def _get_oracle_pw(username=_ORACLE_USERNAME):
+    """Get Oracle password. This only works on production.
+    """
+    try:
+        import subprocess
+        cmd      = subprocess.run(['getPwd', username], capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
+        password = cmd.stdout.strip()
+        return password
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Could not get Oracle password: {e}")
+        return None
+    
+def _get_remote_uri():
+    """Get string needed to connect to Oracle remotely. 
+    """
+    password  = _get_oracle_pw(_ORACLE_USERNAME)
+    connection_string = f'oracle+cx_oracle://{_ORACLE_USERNAME}:{password}@{_ORACLE_TNS}'
+    return connection_string
+
+
+def _init_remote_db():
+    """Assumes remote oracle DB. TODO: Make this more general?
+
+       _meta: wrapper that holds sqlalchemy metadata.
+    """
+    global _meta
+    connection = get_connection()
+    #TODO: grab schema from Oracle?
+    schema = None
+    #TODO: is uri just the connection string?
+    uri = _get_remote_uri()
+    _meta = pykern.sql_db.Meta(
+        uri=uri,
+        schema=None
+        )
+    return
+
+def _oracle_location():
+    loc = (
+        slac_db.config.package_data() / 'lcls_elements.sqlite3'
+    )
+    return str(loc)
+
+def _session():
+    if _meta is None:
+        _init_remote_db()
+    return _meta.session()