AUSTIN, TX    (4/26/2000) -- Fisher-Rosemount today announced PetroEcuador Oil & Gas Company is overhauling Ecuador's national SOTE pipeline using PlantWeb field-based architecture in a joint effort with several companies to increase the pumping capacity of the pipeline. The upgrading of the six manually run pump stations and addition of a seventh pump, which make up the pipeline, is expected to significantly boost performance from 350,000 barrels per day (BPD) to 390,000 BPD. The project - estimated at $2.5 million - represents for Fisher-Rosemount the largest single PlantWeb automation solution awarded in Latin America. The solution combines its PlantWeb architecture, Emerson Performance Solutions services from Venezuela, and support of the Fisher-Rosemount local representative SEIN (Sistemas Y Equipos Industriales Ltda) in Ecuador.

"By building on the PlantWeb architecture, we are deploying the latest innovations in FOUNDATION fieldbus technology, which is important to the longevity of the SOTE pipeline," said Manual Villacis, head instrumentation and control systems engineer for PetroEcuador. "The open, scalable platform will enable us over time to easily add functions to the pump stations and expand their capabilities without having to start from ground zero all over again."

"Fisher-Rosemount is excited at the prospect of participating in this effort to raise the efficiency of the SOTE pipeline," said John Berra, senior vice president and process group leader for Fisher-Rosemount's parent company, Emerson Electric Co. "PetroEcuador's confidence in the PlantWeb architecture as the cornerstone technology for automating and managing the entire stretch of SOTE pipeline across Ecuador speaks volumes."

PetroEcuador is redesigning the 20-year-old pump stations to be fully automated and remotely monitored and managed through the use of intelligent field devices. Fisher-Rosemount will supply six DeltaV automation systems, three Remote Operation Controllers (ROCs), 36 Fisher FIELDVUE digital valve controllers, and 864 Rosemount pressure and temperature transmitters. Emerson Performance Solutions Venezuela, the engineering, consulting, maintenance, and professional services arm of Emerson Electric, with the support of local representative SEIN, will provide assistance in engineering, integration and startup that is scheduled for the second quarter of 2000.

Fisher-Rosemount, part of Emerson Electric Co., is a world-leading supplier of control valves, regulators, transmitters, analyzers, process management systems, software, and related services. Its innovative PlantWeb field-based architecture http://www.testdriveplantweb.com/go/p190 combines intelligent field devices with open communication standards and software to significantly enhance process and business performance.

St. Louis-based Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR) is a global leader in providing customers with innovative technologies and solutions in five business segments: industrial automation; process control; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; electronics and telecommunications; and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 1999 were $14.3 billion.