AUSTIN, TEXAS (October 1, 2003) — Emerson Process Management, a business of Emerson (NYSE: EMR), announced today that it has been selected by Pemex for a $3.9 million project to automate part of the oil and gas company's Tula refinery near Mexico City.
Emerson's PlantWeb® digital plant architecture with FOUNDATION fieldbus technology will be used to automate a new alkylation plant at the Tula refinery that will produce high-octane gasoline. The refinery has a production capacity of 320,000 BPD (barrels per day), with most of the production supplying the motor fuel needs of Mexico City residents.
"After exhaustive reviews of all the new automation technology presented to Pemex, we selected Emerson because we see PlantWeb as the future in process control," said Alfredo Martinez, control systems engineering manager.
In selecting Emerson, Pemex cited
Martinez also cited the company's success with Emerson's PlantWeb at the Deer Park, Texas, refinery that Pemex owns jointly with Shell.
Tula's original alkylation plant was destroyed in a gas leak-related fire in December 2001. In working to rebuild the alkylation plant, Pemex spent several months reviewing major automation suppliers and their technology before selecting Emerson Process Management and its PlantWeb digital plant architecture.
"PlantWeb has proven its ability to deliver savings in the capital phase of projects, and — once commissioned — has shown its ability to improve plant availability and operations," said John Berra, president of Emerson Process Management. "Although Pemex initially set out to replicate their traditional distributed control system, we presented the alternative of PlantWeb digital plant architecture because of its advantages for the Pemex plant."
With Emerson's PlantWeb architecture, Pemex will be able to give authorized personnel access to real-time device, equipment, and process health information, no matter where they are physically located on the refinery site. Emerson's PlantWeb solution includes a DeltaV™ digital automation system with AMS™ Suite predictive maintenance software that communicates with intelligent field devices using FOUNDATION fieldbus protocol.
Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is Mexico's national petroleum company with the responsibility of developing the country's hydrocarbon resources. Based on its resources, production level, refining capacity and sales volume, Pemex is the seventh largest oil company in the world. Pemex produces and distributes its refining products and petrochemical raw materials throughout Mexico, and maintains commercial relations throughout the world.
Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com), an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing, and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry specific engineering, consulting, project management, and maintenance services. Emerson brands include: PlantWeb®, Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, DeltaV™, Ovation®, and AMS™ Suite.
Emerson (www.gotoemerson.com) is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers in process control; electronics and telecommunications; industrial automation; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 2002 were $13.8 billion.
PlantWeb, Fisher, Micro Motion, Rosemount, DeltaV, Ovation, and AMS are marks of Emerson Process Management. Other marks are property of their respective owners.