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22nd November 2010
Emerson’s Smart Wireless technology boosts production, cuts costs at Tecpetrol natural gas facilities in Argentina
Reliable data from Rosemount®wireless transmitters helps company increase production by 2.9M Euros ($4 million) while reducing maintenance costs by 62% and supervisory control costs by 35%
Emerson Process Management’s Smart Wireless technology, based on the IEC 62591 (WirelessHART®) standard, is enabling Tecpetrol to boost 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 per cent, and reduce our supervisory control costs by 35 per cent,” 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 company’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.
After seeing the benefits of 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 per cent 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.”
Installation costs for Smart Wireless were also 88,000 Euros ($120,000) less than for a wired solution. A wired network would have been very difficult to install because the areas monitored are densely packed with piping and rotating equipment.
“The Smart Wireless devices were easy to install and everything was up and running within a day,” Fernández said. “The network has been operating smoothly ever since.”
The company is currently planning to expand its use of wireless technology to additional facilities.
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Notes for the Editor
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management ( 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, metals and mining, 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™, DeltaV™, Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, Daniel®, Ovation™, and AMS Suite.
About Emerson
Emerson, based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and tools and storage businesses. Sales in fiscal 2010 were $21 billion. For more information, visit
Rosemount, Daniel and DeltaV are marks owned by one of the Emerson Process Management legal entities. Other marks are property of their respective owners. HART is a mark of the HART Communication Foundation.
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