Tecpetrol tunes into WirelessHART
6 Dec 2010
Buenos Aires – Tecpetrol is employing Emerson Process Management’s Smart Wireless technology, based on the IEC 62591 (WirelessHART) standard, to increase production while reducing maintenance and operations costs at natural gas compression and delivery facilities in Argentina.
“With better information for improved measurement and control, we have been able to produce an additional $4 million in natural gas, cut our maintenance costs by 62%, and reduce our supervisory control costs by 35%,” said Odin Fernández, Tecpetrol production manager.
Tecpetrol began using Smart Wireless in early 2009 to track gas venting, comply with environmental regulations, measure gas sold to third parties, and perform AGA3 calculations needed for economic balance of its facilities.
Initially, the company installed Emerson’s Rosemount wireless pressure, DP, and temperature transmitters at wellheads in its Campo Duran field. Smart Wireless Gateways collect the real-time data and deliver it to the vendor’s DeltaV digital automation system.
A Daniel ultrasonic flow meter installed for custody transfer measurements also allows Tecpetrol to cross-check the wireless data for quality control, while a ROC flow computer monitors remote points of the architecture.
Following this initial installation, Tecpetrol added a similar wireless network to its Aguarague Field. Both installations enabled the company to enhance control and productivity. They now have access to data that was not available before, or that had to be checked manually by staff reading local gauges.
“Employee safety has been improved. We’ve cut our trips to the field by 15% and reduced human error,” Fernández said. “The operators can obtain diagnostics and check on plant processes remotely, which helps them better manage their time and work more efficiently.”
According to Emerson, installation costs for Smart Wireless were Euro88,000 less than for a wired solution. A wired network, it added, would have been very difficult to install because the areas monitored are densely packed with piping and rotating equipment.
Tecpetrol is currently planning to expand its use of wireless technology to additional facilities.
