- ORLEN Unipetrol hands five-year service contract to ABB
- Power Care agreement covers full range of MV and LV switchgear as well as control systems and drives
- Advisory service plays key role in optimizing efficiency and reducing risk of breakdown
The Czech Republic’s only crude oil processor and operator of its largest network of filling stations has renewed a service contract with ABB following a successful 12-year partnership.
ORLEN Unipetrol, which produces, distributes and sells fuels and petrochemical products, such as plastics and fertilizers, has agreed a tailored, wide-ranging five-year Power Care agreement with ABB Electrification Service.
The agreement includes safety stock, spare parts, maintenance and a dedicated customer service hotline, not only for the refinery’s medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) switchgear, but also its control systems and drives.
In addition to the installation of MV and LV switchgear, ABB has a long history in the automation of ORLEN Unipetrol's key production sites. Chemical production processes at ORLEN Unipetrol are currently controlled by ABB’s Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS). The main technology of the DCS is Advant MOD 300 with AC 460 controllers, but a phased upgrade to the latest ABB flagship controller AC 800M is underway.
With an extensive installed base of ABB products, including ABB’s UniGear ZS1 and MNS 3.0, a key challenge for the ABB team has been to coincide essential maintenance work with a factory shutdown that takes place every four years.
“We started working with the team at ORLEN Unipetrol in 2012 as a follow-up to the work of ABB Front-end Sales unit and during that time have become a trusted partner,” said Martin Prezbruchy, Marketing & Sales Manager, ABB Electrification Service. “We have a keen understanding of their needs and have tailored a unique service to support businesses growth and reduce the risk of costly, unplanned downtime.”
“One of the more challenging aspects of ORLEN’s business is the requirement to plan and execute essential maintenance work for the brief eight to 12 week shutdown period every four years. Our rigorous approach to this task in previous years has contributed to the long-term and ongoing successful relationship with ORLEN,” said Prezbruchy.
In addition to the scheduled maintenance program, the ORLEN Unipetrol team leverages ABB’s advisory services, seeking preventive maintenance advice to reduce the risk of breakdown and ensure equipment continues to operate at peak efficiency.
“We find ABB's recommendations for preventive maintenance invaluable,” said an ORLEN representative. “Some of our equipment has been in use for many years, and their guidance helps us to not only keep it running efficiently but also recognize when it’s time to replace or retrofit. We can turn to our contacts at ABB at any time and know they will provide a quick and professional solution.”
"The first ABB control system was installed here more than 30 years ago and since then ABB's local team has been dedicated to supporting the expanding installed base. Our service coverage includes hotline support, spare parts storage and regular maintenance work,” said Martin Kolarik, Head of Service for the site team at ABB Energy Industries. “In addition, through collaboration with ORLEN Unipetrol's specialists, ABB has modernized the installed control systems, enhancing control efficiency with new DCS features. The new service contract will be the perfect basis for developing further cooperation supporting customer for life.”
"ABB is now the sole service provider for ORLEN Unipetrol’s installed base of equipment, leveraging the company’s experience and expertise in electrification, process automation and drives and motors,” Prezbruchy added. “The breadth of ABB’s knowledge and product base enables us to offer customers holistic support and advice on how to maximize the productivity, safety, efficiency and sustainability of their operations.”
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB Electrification is a global technology leader enabling the efficient and reliable distribution of electricity from source to socket. With more than 50,000 employees across 100 countries, we collaborate with our customers and partners to solve the world’s greatest challenges in electrical distribution and energy management. As the energy transition accelerates and electricity demands grow, we are electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way. At ABB, we are engineered to outrun, and we are passionate about helping our customers and partners do the same. go.abb/electrification
