ABBCase note ABB MNS iS The integrated solution for the WAGP project

Scope of supply

ABB S.p.A. (Italy), in cooperation with Lee Engineering & 

Construction Co (Nigeria) and Franzisella S.p.A. (Italy), is 

supplying a fully integrated solution for the WAGP (West 

African Gas Pipeline) project in Nigeria. 

The two WAGP Gas Compressor Stations in Utorogu and 

Oben are based on the latest ABB MNS iS technology 

installed into prefabricated E-houses. 

The ABB MNS iS is the right solution to comply with the high 

level of integration and compactness requested for the WAGP 

Utorogu and Oben Gas Compressor Stations.

The ABB MNS iS Power and Motor Control Centers for the 

WAGP project are fully integrated with the station DCS via 

serial link (Profibus DP protocol) and are built in compliance 

with Shell DEP standards.

Plant description 

Pipelines are the most efficient way to distribute gas and 

cover big distances especially in location with critical 

environmental conditions like deserts, glaciers, high 

mountains. To keep pressure and temperature of gas at the 

right level, Gas Compressor Stations are present and placed 

at 10 to 150 Km intervals along the pipeline. The low voltage 

MCC is one of the most important and critical component of 

those compressor stations.

The ABB intelligent MCC 

The project includes four ABB MNS iS Power and Motor 

Control Centers for a total of over 50 sections and 160 

feeders in all kind of configurations, from the Direct On Line 

starters to the highest version of the ABB softstarters. In 

order to optimize the E-house layouts two of the ABB MNS iS 

where provided in back to back configuration granting a more 

efficient footprint. 

MNS iS is the latest evolution of the ABB Low Voltage Power 

and Motor Control Center: the “Intelligent switchgear”.

The MNS iS intelligence is guaranteed by the complete 

integration and harmonization of all the different control, 

protection and data processing functions into the MNS iS 

concept.

The MNS iS network is based on distributed microprocessor 

modules (MControl) connected through a serial gateway 

interface (MLink) to a local Human System Interface (MView) 

and to higher level systems.

- MControl: the microprocessor unit performs all the

protection control and monitoring functions and grants 

connection to and from each single feeder or motor unit.

- MLink: the MNS iS interface module grants connectivity

from the local control modules to any higher system and 

to the local Human System Interface.

- MView: a local Human System Interface based on touch

screen technology providing easy access to all kind of 

data and control functions.

The use of the programmable microprocessor based 

technology in conjunction with a strong focus on the design 

optimization grant an overall reduction of the control and 

power components with the advantage of reducing potential 

point of failure and spare parts.

The touch screen of the Human System Interface MView

Results and customer’s benefits 

As a result of all the integration and optimization activities, 

the WAGP Utorogu and Oben Gas Compressor Stations were 

delivered in prefabricated E-houses pretested and preset to 

minimize the field installation and start-up activities.

Results and customer’s benefits 

As a result of all the integration and optimization activities, 

the WAGP Utorogu and Oben Gas Compressor Stations were 

delivered in prefabricated E-houses pretested and preset to 

minimize the field installation and start-up activities.

ABB SACE

A division of ABB S.p.A.

Low Voltage Systems

Frazione Cà de Bolli

26817 S. Martino in Strada (LO) - Italy 

Tel.: +39 0371 453 1

Fax: +39 0371 453251-453265

ABBSace.LVS_support@it.abb.com

www.abb.com/mns