Turbomachinery controls upgrade in UAR

First phase commissioning completed during short outage

The Bu Hasa NGL Extraction Plant, operated by Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd. (GASCO), produces 7200 tons per day of NGL that is pumped to the Ruwais Plant. As part of the Bu Hasa Upgrading Project (HUP) to improve processing capacity while maintaining a high NGL recovery, GASCO is upgrading the turbine and compressor controls of its existing Woodward NetCon® control systems on six Rolls-Royce Avon gas turbines. The upgrade is replacing the obsolete control systems for NGL Trains 1 and 2 and is improving plant operations through advanced integrated turbine and compressor control using GE's Mark™ VIe platform and OptiComp™ Integrated Compressor Control Suite software.

Following careful technical and commercial evaluation, GASCO and the EPC determined that GE Energy's Control Solutions offering was the best platform to meet the challenges of the Rolls-Royce Avon turbine control. GE met GASCO's specifications, primarily integrated turbine compressor control and fast application execution speed requirements, with the most cost-effective solution.

OptiComp™ is GE Energy's integrated turbine and compressor control solution that delivers advanced compressor surge control, process performance control, load sharing/balancing, auto sequencing and other auxiliary control functions. It offers superior control software running in GE's fast and reliable Mark™ VI and Mark™ VIe control platforms.

Six Mark™ VIe control panels were supplied for the Rolls-Royce turbines and process compressors, along with redundant network and communications interfaces to third party equipment and plant DCS. To help recover lost time, GE was tasked with shipping three of the control panels for Train 2 within 12 weeks. The Train 2 units were commissioned during an extremely tight 9 day outage. A successful, smooth start-up was achieved the week of November 12, 2010.

The control platform provides tight integration of turbine and compressor controls utilizing GE's proven application experience in the control of Rolls-Royce units as well as advanced patented compressor surge and process control algorithms. The seamless integration of turbine and compressor controls provides ease of operation, decoupling of control loops, and improved coordinate response to process disturbances. It also brings life cycle benefits for both operations and maintenance by providing a single focal point for support and parts management.

This is the latest of several GASCO controls upgrade projects awarded to GE Energy's Control Solutions business and is the second upgrade order for Rolls-Royce turbine controls following the successful GASCO Ruwais upgrade 3 years ago. The first phase of the Bu Hasa Project (Train 2) was completed the week of November 12, 2010; the units are online and have been running in stable operation since commissioning. The second phase (Train 1) will be implemented in Q2, 2011.

Into the Middle East

Applied Analytics and Aber Ahmed Equipment Est. have announced the establishment of Applied Analytics Middle East FZE. This new subsidiary expands and restructures AAI operations in the Gulf region, serving both as an administrative hub and as a high-capacity service facility for local customers. The new entity will anchor AAI's presence in the region, reinforcing the powerful distribution networks of its partners with dedicated service, sales, after-sale support, training, and spare parts.

"The important thing about this venture is that it puts our guys--certified AAI engineers--within driving distance of many of our most important customers," says Dan Murphy, Senior Mechanical Engineer, AAI. "Over the past decade, we have obtained strong distributors like Attest in Saudi Arabia, Sohar Industrial Supplies & Trading in Oman, Instrol LLC in Qatar, and others. The purpose of Applied Analytics Middle East FZE is to complement this distribution and provide a highly localized and accessible service network for the Middle East, our most dynamic regional market."

"Applied Analytics Middle East FZE offers a team of engineers with decades of experience in process analysis for the petroleum and chemical industries," says Muthu Govindan, General Manager, ABEST Abu Dhabi. "This new presence means better service, faster support and maintenance, and more convenient locations for equipment training. We are delighted to work alongside AAI in supporting process analysis for RasGas (the world's largest LNG supplier), Saudi Aramco (the world's largest oil producer), and other major players in the region." "We know that the best way to satisfy local customer needs for startup visits, spare parts, certified training, and all other services is to open up our own shop in the neighborhood, so to speak," adds Murphy. "The new office will collaborate nicely with Applied Analytics (India) Private Limited in Surat to canvas two critical markets with sales and service. On behalf of Applied Analytics Middle East FZE--based in Sharjah, UAE--we look forward to better serving our neighbors in the region."