Export Terminal Control System Installation
Houston, Texas
One of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America needed to build a new terminal on the Houston Shipping Channel to export gasoline, naptha, and diesel fuel directly into large maritime vessels.
The terminal was a brand new facility, integrating 12 large tanks (1.5M barrel capacity), 16 pumps, 200 motor operated valves, 150 measurement instruments, and 4 vapor recovery systems. The facility also had barge and ship docks to facilitate vessel loading operations on the shipping channel. The export terminal was to be completely automated and controlled from the control room across the channel. This meant that all indicators, controls, and alarms would need to be accessible remotely. Because the existing control system was built on technology from previous decades, the new export terminal control system needed to remain compatible with both old and new technologies.
A project execution plan and project schedule were created prior to the control system design. The ENTRUST Solutions Group team was embedded with client resources to operate in a unified manner. PLC, network, and computer hardware were chosen that precisely followed the client’s standards and compatibility with past/future systems.
Rigorous testing was performed with strict adherence to ISO standards, and frequent checkout documentation audits were completed.
At installation, the benefits of the testing efforts were realized. Only 50 percent of the expected travel to the job site was required, as the client was able to install much of the system without assistance. In addition, the final list of desired modifications after installation was minimal. The project was completed on schedule and under budget. More importantly, the client was happy and placed ENTRUST Solutions Group on bid lists for other projects in Texas and Louisiana.