The Puesto Hernanadez-El Corcobo Norte oil pipeline, is located in the Neuquen area of SW Argentina, where fluctuating ambient temperatures drop well below zero in Winter. The vital provision of reliable, remote valve control and indication has been successfully achieved by the use of Modbus-enabled Rotork EH Range electro-hydraulic actuators, operated by solar powered battery packs. The Rotork actuators provide double-acting on-off control for Wenlen 12in ANSI Class 600 pipeline ball valves in six locations along the 80km-long pipeline’s route through the wilderness. The Rotork EH actuator design comprises an integrated control module, a hydraulic manifold and a power unit consisting of a motor, hydraulic pump and reservoir. Protected by a waterproof and explosion-proof enclosure, EH electronic functionality benefits from Rotork’s IQ intelligent electric actuation technology, providing configuration, diagnostics, fault indication and position indication by means of a digital visual display and non-intrusive, two-way infrared communication with a hand-held programmer. The actuators on the oil pipeline are controlled and monitored by a SCADA system utilising the Modbus digital bus protocol. The pipeline was constructed by engineering contractor Arcan with procurement and construction contractor Skanska SA for Petroandina Resources, the Argentina-based oil transportation company. The EH actuators were supplied and commissioned by Rotork’s agent in Argentina, Industrias Metalart SA and the solar powered power supplies were designed and manufactured by Solartec.
