Emerson selected as main automation contractor for Petrobras' Comperj project
Petrobras has selected Emerson Process Management to provide process automation technologies and services for the petrochemical complex of Rio de Janeiro (Comperj) in Brazil.
The scope of the automation contract reflects Petrobras’ confidence in Emerson’s industry expertise and its significant investments in Latin America. As main automation contractor for Comperj, Emerson will deliver engineering services and technologies for process automation and systems integration of the refining unit, selected utilities, and offsite operations that are part of the Brazilian energy giant’s project.
Built on an area of 45 million square meters – the equivalent of about 6,000 soccer fields – the Comperj complex will be able to process 165,000 bpd of heavy crude when its first refining unit begins operations in 2013, and the same amount in a second unit expected five years later. This investment in Brazil’s refining capacity will help support the country’s expanding oil production. The project is also expected to generate more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction.
The Comperj project is one of the first in Brazil to use a main automation contractor, which improves coordination of projects involving multiple suppliers and contractors. Emerson will draw on its global experience in this role to provide a broad scope of automation products and services. In addition to systems for process control, safety, fire and gas detection, machinery monitoring, and management of process and maintenance information, Emerson will also supply measurement instruments, control valves, pressure regulators, and other related products and services.
Engineering work has already begun, with hardware delivery to begin in 2011. Automation tasks will be led by a dedicated Emerson team in Rio de Janeiro and in Sorocaba, São Paulo, where Emerson’s Brazilian headquarters is located. In late 2009, Emerson announced a $35 million, 45,000-square-meter expansion of its Sorocaba manufacturing and operations facility.
“Emerson is honored to have been selected by Petrobras for this highly sophisticated, complex and important project,” said Steve Sonnenberg, president of Emerson Process Management. “Our investments in our facilities and people in Brazil reflect our commitment to meet the needs of customers like Petrobras that are building a more prosperous Latin America.”
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