Emerson installs automation systems for Alberta refinery

October 30, 2018 – Emerson has completed a $73 million contract for automation systems and cloud engineering services at North West Redwater Partnership’s new Sturgeon Refinery in Alberta.

The refinery uses technology designed to produce ultra-low sulphur diesel for local consumption as well as for export to markets that demand low sulphur fuel.

The project team selected Emerson’s automation technologies and petrochemical project expertise to manage the refinery’s process control and safety system scope and to help it safely begin producing diesel from synthetic crude oil in late 2017. The Sturgeon Refinery relies on an innovative, one-step process that, when fully operational, will convert diluted bitumen feedstock directly into ultra-low sulphur diesel while capturing carbon dioxide emissions.

“The unique nature of this refinery makes it important for us to manage all of the project components to minimize complexity,” says Jim Quinn, vice-president of engineering for North West Redwater Partnership. 

Emerson provided integrated project management to reduce complexity and support North West Redwater Partnership with the alignment of multiple contractors. Cloud engineering using Emerson’s Remote Virtual Office technology enabled rapid mobilization of resources and collaborative engineering, ensuring on-time automation delivery from experts around the globe.

The Sturgeon Refinery uses Emerson automation software and technologies including DeltaV control and safety systems and AMS asset management software, as well as Rosemount instrumentation and Fisher control valves. The project team also leveraged DeltaV Operator Training Solutions and hands-on training to ensure operator readiness from the first moments of commissioning and start-up.

The refinery will process 79,000 barrels per day of diluted bitumen, while simultaneously capturing an estimated 1.2 million annual tons of carbon dioxide, which will act as feedstock to assist in enhanced oil recovery of up to a billion barrels of light oil that would otherwise have been unreachable.