System of systems in lube plant!

InFusion ECS implementation at  lubes plant unifies existing systems to help achieve operational excellence

Invensys Operations Management has successfully implemented an InFusion™ Enterprise Control System (ECS) for ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties Company. Through a joint Invensys and ExxonMobil team effort, the installation was successfully completed and the plant was back to full production on schedule with no safety incidents.

Installed at ExxonMobil’s lubricants plant in Beaumont (TX US), the InFusion ECS will help manage the operating facility, controlling major processes and integrating the existing SAP enterprise resource planning, batch process and final packaging and shipping systems. By making extensive use of Invensys’ open, industry-standards-based ArchestrA® architecture framework and other advanced technologies, the ECS will apply the principles of real-time process automation across the manufacturing enterprise to improve production flexibility and workflow, as well as address end-of-life issues within the existing control systems.

“In 2004, ExxonMobil embarked on a global modernisation plan to realise the lubricant plant of the future, selecting Invensys as their preferred production and integration partner,” said Eric Moorehead, vice president, strategic accounts, Invensys Operations Management. “The InFusion ECS installation at Beaumont continues that modernisation effort. Operating as a ‘system of systems,’ the InFusion ECS holistically integrates our open technology with legacy applications and third-party solutions to improve the plant’s operations and performance in real time. This unique ability is what sets the InFusion ECS apart from anything on the market today.”

As part of its ongoing relationship with ExxonMobil, Invensys is also using its Houston (TX US), Engineering Center of Excellence to incorporate best practices for ExxonMobil in Beaumont and Port Allen, (LA US). This approach is helping ExxonMobil continually improve its control system strategies and achieve its goal of developing the lube plant of the future.