Regasification terminal includes smart instruments, asset management software

-- Control Engineering, 5/1/2006

Austin, TX—Emerson Process Management has been chosen as the main automation contractor (MAC) for the Altamira LNG-regasification terminal, currently under construction near Tampico, Mexico. Emerson will provide essential automation systems and services for the first import terminal which will receive liquid natural gas (LNG) shipments in Mexico, and convert them back to natural gas to be distributed by CFE, Comisión Federal de Electricidad, and Pemex, Mexico’s state-owned, nationalized petroleum company. An additional four terminals are planned for the near future in Mexico; a MAC provider will be selected for these projects.

Overall engineering and construction is provided by ICA Fluor and IHI, who are building the Altamira terminal for a consortium of Terminal de LNG de Altamila (TLA), that is jointly owned by Shell Gas B.V. and Total Group of France, and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. The regasification terminal will process a base load up to 3.75-million tons of LNG annually when in full commercial operation in October 2006.

Altamira is part of an expanding LNG industry that is critical to the future global energy supplies. Volumetrically, LNG is about 0.17% the volume of gaseous natural gas, and has major transportation advantages, boosting the viability of previously unreachable gas reservoirs. The U.S. is an example of LNG import growth, expecting about a 16%/year increase through 2025.

As MAC, Emerson is responsible for development, installation, configuration, testing, and commissioning of all elements of the system to control the process from the point of receipt through regasification, and into transmission pipelines.

PlantWeb digital automation technologies at the Altamira Regas Terminal include the DeltaV automation system, AMS Suite: Intelligent Device Manager, and Rosemount smart temperature and pressure transmitters. In addition, Emerson will integrate metering skids, vibration equipment monitoring, fire and gas, safety, and emergency shutdown systems.

Emerson will provide on-site support and service for the Altamira LNG terminal, according to Ernst Vanstrien, terminal area engineer from TLA responsible for MAC selection. The project is being managed and implemented by Emerson Mexico.

— Richard Phelps, senior editor, Control Engineering