Emerson chosen to digitally automate North West Upgrading's $2.6 billion dollar
oil sands project
PlantWeb® digital technology with DeltaV™
systems to automate upgrading of oil sands bitumen to value-added products
AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 24, 2007) - Emerson Process Management, a business of Emerson
(NYSE:EMR), announced today that it has been awarded a contract to digitally
automate an oil sands bitumen upgrader facility to be constructed by North West
Upgrading 28 miles northeast of Edmonton, Alberta in the Industrial Heartland
area of Sturgeon County.
The upgrader will process bitumen, a molasses-like viscous oil, into light, low
sulphur products such as diluents and ultra low sulphur diesel as well as other
products that can be used by refineries to produce gasoline. Under the contract,
Emerson will provide digital automation services, and install its
PlantWeb digital architecture that
networks intelligent digital technology throughout processing facilities.
The $2.6 billion North West Upgrader project will be constructed in three
phases. The facility built in the first phase, with construction to begin in
late 2007, will process 77,000 barrels of bitumen blend per day and is expected
to be operational in 2010. When the entire facility is completed in 2015, the
upgrader will have a total processing capacity of 231,000 barrels per day. The
bitumen, blended with a light liquid condensate, will be transported to the
upgrader via pipelines from the oil sands region of northern Alberta.
Canadian oil sands - with reserves that are second only to Saudi Arabia's oil
reserves - are expected to be a key resource in meeting the world's petroleum
demand for the next century.
"Emerson is widely recognized as today's leader with respect to process
instruments and automation systems," said Robert Pearce, president of North West
Upgrading. "We expect to benefit greatly from their experience in applying these
technologies to the processing of bitumen, integrating the engineering phase of
the project, and bringing state-of-the-art efficiency to the operation of our
upgrader."
Finding ways to reduce the high cost of both construction and oil sands
processing is a key objective of project planners, according to Mr. Pearce. "By
standardizing on Emerson's PlantWeb technology, we expect to achieve a
consistent and durable process. This technology will be an important factor in
reducing costs while supporting plant reliability and productivity."
North West is relying on Emerson to supply the full scope of automation products
and services through its local business partner Spartan Controls Ltd. and
Emerson's Hydrocarbon and Energy Industry Center in Calgary. This team is
currently developing plant-wide automation standards to ensure that individual
process units integrate smoothly into the overall upgrading process.
Emerson will supply engineering and project management throughout the three
phases of construction, hands-on commissioning of automation products and
systems, and ongoing service support. Efficiencies of PlantWeb technology will
contribute further to lower capital costs for construction.
"We are pleased with the opportunity to work closely with North West Upgrading
and their project management and EPC contractors and to deploy our
industry-leading PlantWeb technology," said John Berra, president of Emerson
Process Management. "We are committed to helping North West succeed with timely
engineering and development assistance in the project phase to achieve ongoing
operational excellence while controlling costs."
About North West Upgrading
North West Upgrading Inc. is a Calgary-based, privately owned company
committed to building an independent heavy oil upgrader in Alberta's Industrial
Heartland. The upgrader will enhance the economic value of Alberta's bitumen and
heavy oil production by producing light, low-sulphur products and diluent. The
upgrader will have a total processing capability of 231,000 barrels per day of
blended feedstock (150,000 barrels per day of crude bitumen) over three phases.
North West anticipates it will receive regulatory approval by fall 2007, with
construction to begin immediately allowing for start up for the first phase in
2010. All three phases are expected to be operating by 2015. For more
information, visit
www.northwestupgrading.com
About Emerson Process Management
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, water and wastewater treatment, food and beverage,
pharmaceutical and other industries. The company combines superior products and
technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management
and maintenance services. Its brands include PlantWeb®,
DeltaV®, Fisher®, Micro
Motion®, Rosemount®, Mobrey®,
Bristol®, Daniel®, Ovation®,
and AMS™ Suite.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE:EMR), based in St. Louis, is a global leader in bringing
technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers
through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate
technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2006 were
$20.1 billion. For more information, visit
www.GoToEmerson.com.
PlantWeb and DeltaV are marks of Emerson Process Management.
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