Natgasoline picks Yokogawa control systems for big Texas methanol project

Yokogawa has received an order from Orascom E&C to deliver control and safety systems for the Natgasoline methanol project, officials confirmed on Monday. 

Currently under construction in Beaumont, Texas, this facility will have a capacity of approximately 1.75 MMtpy when it starts production in 2017, making it one of the world’s largest methanol plants. Based on nameplate capacity, it will be the largest methanol plant in the US.

For the process control and safety of the Lurgi MegaMethanol process technology and auxiliary facilities throughout this plant, Yokogawa will deliver the CENTUM VP integrated production control system, ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system, Exaquantum plant information management system, and Plant Resource Manager (PRM) software package. 

Yokogawa will be responsible for the engineering and delivery of these systems, and will provide support with installation and commissioning. The delivery of all systems will be completed by August 2016.

Yokogawa says it won this order because of its excellent track record in completing projects and demonstrated ability to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions that help optimize operations.

“Yokogawa entered the US market in 1957 and we have grown our business across diverse markets, but have had particular success in oil & gas refining and offshore production, LNG liquefaction and chemical manufacturing," said Daniel Duncan, CEO of Yokogawa Corp. of America. "We are proud to win the first order for a new US grass roots methanol plant that exceeds [1 MMtpy]. This project allows us to build on our already extensive track record in executing and maintaining methanol production in North America."

Though the chemical industry in the US has long relied on imported methanol, the amount of methanol produced in the US is steadily increasing due to the ready availability of methane produced from domestically-sourced shale gas. Leveraging its project experience, Yokogawa says it plans to capitalize on this opportunity to expand its control business in North America and other key markets.