Schneider Electric to provide process automation systems to Dangote Refinery

Under the terms of the agreement, Schneider Electric will supply its EcoStruxure system architecture and platform, comprising its EcoStruxure Foxboro distributed control system, Triconex process safety solutions, PIONIR analytical fuels blending systems and a suite of SimSci and Wonderware software solutions, including its unified supply chain management and operations management software. The company will drive supply chain and operational efficiency, reliability and profitability improvements at Dangote's greenfield refinery in Lagos, Nigeria.

EcoStruxure is Schneider Electric's IoT-enabled, open and interoperable system architecture and platform that delivers Innovation At Every Level across connected products, edge control and apps, analytics and services. The EcoStruxure architecture enables scalable design and operation of connected systems with best-in-class cybersecurity built in at every layer.

Schneider Electric has also created a task force between its Nigerian office and its engineering office in India, which has successfully implemented critical control and safety systems for some of the largest refineries in the world. The company will also provide design, engineering and installation services, not only ensuring a successful implementation from start to finish, but ensuring the workforce is equipped with the tools they need to positively impact business performance.

"While Nigeria is the world's eighth largest producer and exporter of crude oil, we still import nearly 80% of our petroleum products," said Devakumar V. G. Edwin, group executive director, strategy, capital projects and portfolio development, Dangote Industries Ltd. "Once completed in 2019, however, the Dangote Refinery will be the world's largest single train refinery, capable of producing 33 million t of various liquid products, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel and other petrochemicals every year. Not only is that enough to meet all of Nigeria's consumption needs each and every day, we will have a surplus of each of these products for export."

Because it will be a single train facility, any interruption or shutdown in operations at the Dangote Refinery would decrease output from 650 000 bpd to zero. Recognising the need to safeguard continuous operations, Dangote Oil Refinery Ltd chose Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS and Triconex process safety solutions, which include emergency shutdown systems, to maximise the safety and efficiency of its operations and to improve the reliability of its equipment assets and asset sets. PIONIR process analysers will improve process optimisation, asset protection and compliance with environmental regulations.

Advanced SimSci and Wonderware software will be implemented both to unify planning and scheduling and to improve real time data collection and analysis, further optimising operations and product blending. When combined, the integrated suite of systems and software solutions will help the Dangote Refinery gain better real time control of all its business variables, including the safety, reliability, efficiency and profitability of its operations.

"Maintaining continuously safe, reliable and efficient refinery operations will help us reach our national goal of reducing petroleum products imports and increasing our energy independence, which could help increase our country's foreign exchange by up to US$5.5 million and reduce oil imports by up to US$7.5 million," Edwin said.

"Through its Foxboro and Triconex systems, PIONIR process analysers and market-leading SimSci and Wonderware software brands, Schneider Electric has a longstanding reputation for delivering reliable, value-focused technology solutions. Their strong track record gives us confidence in their ability to help the Dangote Refinery achieve exceptional levels of real time operational safety, efficiency, reliability and, of course, profitability. This will translate into more value for the refinery and more value for Nigeria's economy," Edwin added.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/30082017/schneider-electric-to-provide-process-automation-systems-to-dangote-refinery/