Sincor consortium picks Emerson to automate Venezuelan oil upgrader

Austin, Tex. - Sincor, a Venezuela-based group of companies, announced Nov. 20 that it has selected Emerson Process Management for a $12 million application of its PlantWeb field-based architecture, Asset Management Solutions (AMS) software, and services to help automate part of Sincoir's Downstream Project in Jose, Venezuela.

By Jim Montague, news editor November 20, 2001

Austin, Tex. – Sincor, a Venezuela-based group of companies, announced Nov. 20 that it has selected Emerson Process Management for a $12 million application of its PlantWeb field-based architecture, Asset Management Solutions (AMS) software, and services to help automate part of Sincoir’s Downstream Project in Jose, Venezuela. Emerson’s AMS software is expected save more than $500,000 in startup costs, and deliver ongoing operating returns.

Sincor is involved in a 35-year, $4.5-billion project to produce and upgrade heavy crude oil from fields in the Orinoco Belt region. Consortium members include Total-Fina-Elf, Statoil and PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company.

‘Given the demands we faced in both startup and operation of our new heavy oil upgrader, we were definitely looking for the best support services, and current, proven technology available,’ says Sincor’s Pablo Gonzalez. ‘We chose Emerson’s PlantWeb architecture with AMS software and intelligent field devices because it’s leading technology, and it’s proven its ability to deliver significant savings at startup and over the long-term.’

Sincor’s upgrader will produce 180,000 barrels of synthetic crude petroleum per day. Various contractors and as many as 13,000 employees are involved in construction at the Jose site. The upgrader’s installed PlantWeb components are valued at more than $12 million, while the AMS hardware and software portions amount to just under $1 million.

AMS will work with the upgrader’s automation system to access diagnostic data generated by the intelligent field devices, and then present that information on PCs for use by engineers and technicians. The ability to communicate with each device will allow instrument commissioning team members to quickly verify and document device configuration and calibration, assure wiring integrity of wiring, and confirm the operational capability of every control loop from one central location.

Emerson adds that commissioning and startup with AMS reduces costs by approximately 40%, which will generate about $500,000 in overall savings at startup for this project. In addition, advanced information provided by the intelligent devices will enable improved operating efficiencies, generating further savings of about $475,000 annually after the upgrader starts operations.

‘Sincor’s placed a high priority on carefully managing the assets of this massive project. We were able to demonstrate to them the value of AMS, not only in reducing short-term commissioning and startup costs, but also for the longer-term cost benefits of improved plant maintenance,’ says Leo Rodrigues, Emerson’s Latin American region president. ‘The anticipated benefits were too good to pass up, and Sincor embraced the AMS technology. About 25 Sincor personnel are being trained to use the software.’