Siemens, Shell seal gas chromatography pact
The automation division of Siemens was recently awarded a five-year deal from Shell to deliver process gas chromatographs through an enterprise framework agreement that covers Shell companies, subsidiaries and joint ventures across the globe.
During the term of the agreement, Siemens will supply gas chromatographs together with related systems such as analysis cabinets and shelters, much of which will be manufactured by Siemens in the US, the company said.
Additionally, Siemens will provide front-end engineering and after-sales servicing.
Siemens manufactures the base hardware of their gas chromatographs in Bartlesville, Okla. The base hardware of the gas chromatograph is tailored to each application in chromatography labs located in Oklahoma, Germany and Singapore.
The Siemens facility in Bartlesville, employing approximately 160 people, is the global hub for the process gas chromatograph product line, the company said.
This includes not only product manufacturing, but also technical support and research and development.
"This agreement allows Siemens to integrate and streamline its operations and to improve engineering consistency among Shell plants globally, thereby reducing Shell's process analyzer costs," says Alfred Kania, business development manager for Siemens.
"The oil and gas industry is an important business sector for Siemens process analytics, and the combination of our product portfolio, technology and innovation and commitment to services allows us to continue to be a market leader in this category,’ Mr. Kania added.
While the gas chromatographs will be manufactured in Bartlesville, each unit is typically enclosed in an analyzer shelter, manufactured in Houston, Siemens officials explained.
The Houston facility supports customers located in North and South America. The analyzer shelter protects the unit's hardware from environmental conditions.
Siemens process gas chromatographs are used in all branches of fine chemicals, refining and hydrocarbon processing industries, and perform chemical composition analysis of gases and liquids that are present in all phases of production, according to the company.
Built for harsh environments either directly online or nearby in at-line process measurement laboratories, these gas chromatographs maintain application flexibility that enable the sample analysis of feedstock, partially processed product stream, final products and process by-products, including wastes and environmental hazards.
Gas chromatography is one of the most flexible of the processes used for gas analysis, and is used to improve product quality and increase the yield and energy efficiency of processes, Siemens said.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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