Emerson to digitally automate FPSO vessel for the Akpo oil field

ControlGlobal.com
08/08/2006

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- August 8, 2006 -- Emerson Process Management has been chosen as main automation contractor (MAC) for Total’s Akpo Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel of the Akpo field development. The Akpo field is located 200 kilometers off the coast of Nigeria in water depths of 1,100-1,700 meters. 

The Akpo FPSO is 310 meters long and 61 meters wide, and will process and store oil for delivery to tankers or via pipelines to refineries. The Akpo FPSO hull will have a storage capacity of two million barrels of oil, and the FPSO will produce 225,000 barrels of oil per day.

Since early production of first oil is key, the FPSO is on an aggressive schedule, with startup planned for the third quarter of 2008. The gas and condensate field will come on stream late in 2008, and the FPSO is expected to quickly reach peak production of 225,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Emerson’s main automation contractor responsibilities include development, installation, configuration, testing, and commissioning of the systems controlling the vessel topsides, hull, subsea and radar tank gauging. In addition, Emerson will be responsible for integrating the safety system.

Working closely with Total, which has been licensed to develop the field, Emerson collaborated on Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) and proposed a phased delivery of automation equipment. Initial phases were used to validate the design. Emerson has worked with Total on many projects, particularly in West Africa. Emerson’s project management will be used to provide coordination and consistency between contractors in Europe and Korea. Emerson will be involved in installation, commissioning and start-up on site in Nigeria.

Emerson will supply its open, standards-based PlantWeb digital automation architecture to integrate FPSO operations for optimum process control, asset management, and management information delivery. The PlantWeb architecture includes the company’s digital automation systems, intelligent field devices and the AMS Suite of predictive maintenance software applications. The network of intelligent transmitters, valves, and assets delivers continuous process and equipment health information to personnel running and maintaining the FPSO. Predictive diagnostics enable proactive maintenance so users maintain high uptime by addressing issues before they become problems.

Specific Emerson technologies being supplied include the DeltaV digital automation system, AMS Suite: Intelligent Device Manager, Rosemount pressure and temperature transmitters, Saab Rosemount TankRadar tank guaging transmitters, Fisher general and severe service control valves and FIELDVUE digital valve controllers, and Bettis actuators. 

“Africa is Total’s leading growth region, and we are extremely pleased to perform as Main Automation Contractor for the Akpo FPSO project," said Jim Nyquist, president of Emerson Process Management in Europe, Middle East and Africa. "The project provides another opportunity to draw from the experience of our European Engineering Centers who have implemented PlantWeb digital architecture in hundreds of upstream projects, enabling improved safety, availability and operational efficiency.”