Emerson completes digital architecture installation for LNG project in Qatar

Emerson Process Management has announced the completion of digital automation engineering and design for the $12 billion Qatargas II facilities expansion, one of the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects. 

Emerson, the project’s Main Instrumentation and Controls Contractor (MICC), also has begun integration and testing of the digital automation system. Upon completion of integration and testing, the company will install its PlantWeb digital architecture, assist with the expansion project’s commissioning and startup, and provide operator training.

The Qatargas II expansion, a joint venture of Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil, and Total, will add onto the existing Qatargas site at the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, which has three operational LNG units – or trains – producing 8 million tons of liquefied gas annually.

Phase one of the QG-II expansion includes Liquefied Natural Gas train number 4, scheduled to begin delivery of 7.8 million tons annually to the United Kingdom in mid 2008. Train number 5 is scheduled to produce an additional 7.8 million tons annually nine months later. Trains number 4 and 5 are two of the largest LNG liquefaction trains in the world.

Emerson’s digital plant automation architecture will be installed as part of the expansion to help Qatargas achieve the joint venture’s goal of producing 45 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually by 2010. PlantWeb integrates plant-wide operations for optimum process control, operational excellence, and management information. 

PlantWeb uses a Foundation fieldbus-based network of intelligent field devices to deliver continuous process and equipment health information; included are Emerson’s Rosemount transmitters, Micro Motion Coriolis flow meters, Fisher valves with FieldVue digital valve controllers, and AMS Suite predictive maintenance software. AMS Suite applications deliver diagnostics and guidance that help unit operators and maintenance personnel optimize performance and availability.

Post-startup services by Emerson will include a multi-year commitment to furnish and manage hardware and software for plant automation systems; safety instrumented systems, training simulation, plant-wide data historian, transmitters, valve positioners, and advanced control solutions.

“Emerson is excited to be a key part in helping Qatar Petroleum achieve its vision of being the world’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas and condensates,” said John Berra, president of Emerson Process Management. “We are very committed to Qatargas and the liquefied natural gas industry.”