Honeywell, a diversified technology and manufacturing leader, has won a $9.6 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to upgrade the automation systems at North Refineries Company's (NRC) refinery in Iraq.

The upgrading of NRC’s existing control system will improve operational efficiencies, reliability and safety at the refinery.

Honeywell solutions will be used including the award winning Experion Process Knowledge System and Safety Manager, fully automating the facility and replacing its 30-year-old single loop instrument control system. In addition to improving safety and security at the plant, the new automation investment will allow NRC to maximise productivity, while offering full scalability to support future technology upgrades.

“The North Refinery is the largest of its kind in Iraq and is a vital part of our country’s energy industry. Our primary goal is to optimise production levels and our decision to invest in a state-of-the-art automation solution reflects that,” said Abdulghafoor Abduljabbar, director general of North Refineries Company.

Honeywell Process Solutions’ technology will manage a wide range of processes, helping to optimise yield while reducing maintenance costs by up to 30 per cent. Honeywell will also provide technical training to NRC employees to promote seamless migration from the plant’s existing systems.

“As Iraq’s hydrocarbon industry grows there is a focus on improving efficiency and reducing downtime caused by the continued use of legacy equipment,” said Norm Gilsdorf, president, Honeywell Process Solutions.

“By using our latest automation suite, the North Refinery will become more efficient, maximising yields and further contributing to Iraq’s economy.”

Honeywell opened a full-service office in Baghdad in October 2010. The office was established to supply technology solutions such as process automation equipment to Iraq's oil and gas industry. Further offices are being planned in southern and northern Iraq over the next few years.-TradeArabia News Service