Emerson's Smart Wireless Network Helps Improve Profitability and Environmental Compliance at Tecpetrol Natural Gas Facilities in Argentina


Rosemount® wireless transmitters at three sites measure venting, deliver gas data for AGA3 calculations to balance plants, and data for fiscal accounting of sold gas

AUSTIN, TEXAS (November 5, 2009) -- Emerson Process Management's Smart Wireless solutions are improving profitability and environmental compliance for Tecpetrol by making new measurements at three of its natural gas compression and delivery facilities in Argentina.

Smart Wireless was the best and most cost-effective solution for Tecpetrol, which quickly needed to collect real-time gas flow data. The reliable, continuous data helps the company track gas venting, comply with environmental regulations, measure gas sold to third parties, and perform AGA3 calculations needed for economic balancing of its three facilities.

"The wireless applications saved us a total of $34,000 in installation costs compared to installing a wired solution, a 27 percent savings," said Odin Fernández, automation and energy head, Tecpetrol. "We preferred Smart Wireless because it's a secure, robust, self-organizing network. It's reliable and easy to install, expand, and use."

Ten each of Emerson's Rosemount® wireless pressure, DP, and temperature, transmitters are installed in the orifice plates at gas well heads across these facilities. The devices transmit data every 15 seconds to Smart Wireless Gateways installed at each facility that forward the data to the company's DeltaV(TM) digital automation system.

The wireless network monitors the gas balance of the treatment plants including dew point, primary separation, compression stages contracted, consumption and plant venting. Some of the data points tapped had never been monitored before. Other points had been checked manually by staff reading local gauges.

"We needed to closely watch our gas balance because excessive gas venting can impact our company's bottom line through lost product and because our gas venting levels must comply with environmental regulations," Fernández said.

Installation of the equipment took one day.The devices were easy to configure and have performed perfectly with no data loss since commissioning, despite these areas being heavily congested with pipes and equipment. Smart Wireless has eliminated the need for clipboard rounds.

"One of the advantages in using this equipment is that our process is very variable and involves piping modifications, compressor layouts and primary separation, among others," Fernández said. "We can move the measurement points when we need to and do not depend on pipes, cabling, etc."

Tecpetrol plans to expand its Smart Wireless use to include test measurements during well drilling.

In addition to the Smart Wireless solutions already installed at Tecpetrol, Emerson offers a wide range of wireless field instrumentation and plant operations equipment, including Fisher® position monitors, Rosemount analytical and Machinery Health(TM) Management devices, native wireless interface to AMS® Suite predictive maintenance software, and SmartStart(TM) Services.

For more information about Smart Wireless, visit www.EmersonProcess.com/SmartWireless, and for videos go to http://www.EmersonSmartWireless.com/Videos.

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, mining and metals, food and beverage, life sciences and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Its brands include PlantWeb®, Syncade(TM), DeltaV(TM), Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, Daniel®, Ovation®, and AMS® Suite.

About Emerson

Emerson (NYSE:EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), 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 2008 were $24.8 billion and Emerson is ranked 94th on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest companies. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.

CONTACTS:

Lisa Eisenbrey,

Emerson Process Management

1 (512) 834-7106,

Lisa.Eisenbrey@Emerson.com

Kim Polk,

Emerson Process Management

1 (512) 834-7043,

Kim.Polk@Emerson.com

Emerson Process Management,

12301 Research Blvd,

Bldg III,

Austin,

TX 78759

United States

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