Metering & Measurement
Separating Pipeline Integrity Management’s Wheat from Its Chaff
Natural gas and hazardous liquids pipeline operators have been accumulating mass volumes of data for several years. But what to do with all this data? This is a question many natural gas pipeline operators are asking in advance of the highly anticipated Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) proposed gas and gathering pipeline mega-rule.
Flow Meter Provides Dual Measurements in Single Body
The Transus Instruments UIM-4F Duo natural gas custody transfer ultrasonic flow meter consists of two independent fiscal flow measurements in a single flow meter body, enabling enhanced condition-based diagnostics in a space saving, compact package.
Emerson
Emerson released the Micro Motion 4200 2-wire loop-powered Coriolis transmitter, a new design that makes it possible to replace existing two-wire flow devices with minimal effort and without incurring additional power or cabling costs. The device can accommodate the largest line size (4-inch) of any..
Sercel-GRC
Sercel-GRC (GRC) recently sold the 1000th Spy Pro gauge for downhole ESP systems. Rated for 5,000 and 10,000 psi at 150 degrees C (302 degrees F), the device can record up to 11 parameters, used to monitor the ESP production system. This includes intake and discharge pressures, intake and motor temp..
Choosing Correct AMI System for Gas Utilities
The natural gas industry continues to build upon a customer-first approach and is always looking for new and better ways to operate. There’s no doubt, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems have emerged as attractive solutions for local distribution companies (LDC) seeking to improve both customer and employee operations.
Looking to Lessen Fluctuating Flow Problems in Measurement
Good measurement practices suggest flow measurements should occur without instabilities or pulsations in the flow. Even minor inaccuracies in the measurement of high value products can lead to significant financial exposure over extended periods of time.
Using Computational Fluid Dynamics When Equipment Fails
The importance of accurate measurement cannot be under-estimated. In 2012, the oil price was above $100 per barrel, but only a year later, as oil prices began to decline, the average price of a barrel of crude oil was $91, dropping to $42 by 2015.
Oil Prices and the Flowmeter Market
The worldwide flowmeter market experienced a rebound in 2018, with this particular market having followed the upward and downward fluctuations in oil prices, traditionally.
Romet
Romet Limited introduced the AdEM CLICK, a direct mount index. The smart module attaches to any type of rotary gas meter for real-time measurements for utilities. New models are available, each with tamperproof, weather-resistant design that can, depending on the design, factor in pressure, temperat..
Emerson
Emerson is offering new meters and probes: the CMF-110 and CMF-118 flexible clamp meters and the FC-110 and FC-118 flexible clamp current probes. Available in either 10-inch or 18-inch flexible coil offerings, CMF series meter is a standalone device that measures true RMS AC current, AC voltage, res..
Inspecting Pipelines Using Dual-Conventional Transducers
Today, there are millions of miles of pipeline all over the world, and many of these systems are old. Pipelines transport energy (crude oil, refined petroleum, natural gas and biofuels to name a few) and other fluids to various markets across vast distances. The integrity of the pipelines is of paramount concern to ensure the safety of people and the environment.
Measuring Crack Defects with Sub-Millimeter Accuracy
Ultrasonic crack technology, using piezoelectric transducers, is a proven and widely used solution for crack and crack-like defect detection in liquids pipelines. Over the past 20 years, only minor developments and improvements in this area were offered to pipeline operators.
Alliance
Alliance Sensors Group introduced the SS-7 series linear variable inductive transducer (LVIT), designed for subsea environments. The transducer is embedded into a hydraulic cylinder and uses the gun-drilled piston rod as a target, sensing its position without the need for a magnet. The SS-7 Series c..
Technical Toolboxes
Technical Toolboxes released Version 19.0 of its The Pipeline Toolbox. The device features a range of improved calculations and applications, along with an embedded new license manager that strengthens security and enables better visibility. With its more than 230 pipeline-specific oil and gas appli..
Advanced Analytics Can Help Boost Pipeline Performance
Leveraging existing operational data as well as new data sources available as part of a digital transformation can provide great opportunities to significantly improve performance through better asset reliability, efficiency and safety performance.
Remote, Real-Time Monitoring Prevents Potential Problems
With utilities adding more and more residential and commercial endpoints to their distribution systems, the need to prevent and detect leaks has never been more challenging – or more critical. Thankfully, advanced technologies have emerged that allow utilities to harness new capabilities such as data analytics and remote monitoring to stay on top of leaks and address them before they create significant safety issues.
EAG
The EAG VOC Plus analyzer measures total VOCs from stationary sources with real-time continuous logging and multiple measurement ranges.
Human-Centric Approach to Improving Pipeline NDE Reliability
Non-destructive evaluation is essential to assure long-term integrity of existing pipelines, and human performance is a key element of the NDE process. This article summarizes an effort to identify human performance factors that influence NDE measurements and reliability.
Improving Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Transmission, Storage
Interstate natural gas transmission companies are committed to minimizing methane emissions. This article explains methane emission sources for the transmission and storage sector and the basis for emissions commitments that INGAA members have voluntarily adopted.
You Do Leak Detection, but Do You have Breach Detection?
Pipeline companies invest considerable effort preventing, detecting, and responding to leak incidents, but are they investing enough effort preventing, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity incidents? Since, in principle, a cyber-incident could lead to a leak incident, companies should consider breach detection as part of their overall leak prevention program.
Natural Gas Flow Calibration Perspective
It may not be immediately apparent, but the three natural gas metering technologies – orifice, ultrasonic, and Coriolis – have been intertwined for the past 25 years. The advantages created by progress in one technology have been applied to the others as new technologies have continued to evolve.
Ashcroft
Ashcroft introduced redesigned differential pressure gauges that offer higher static pressure ratings, improved accuracy and all-welded construction that can withstand line pressures up to 580 psi.
New Diagnostics for Flow Meter Intelligence
Emerson launched the latest version of its Smart Meter Verification software for Coriolis and magnetic flow meters.
Official: Pressure Sensors Focus of Gas Explosions Investigation
The investigation into the Boston-area natural gas explosions is partially focused on pressure sensors that were connected to a gas line that was being taken out of service shortly before the blasts, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said.
Embedding Operating Procedures in Pipeline SCADA
The pipeline SCADA operator has one of the most critical jobs in the industry and should be given all the help available to keep pipelines safe and operational. To this end, more than 25 years ago, a major oil company determined that SCADA-embedded operating procedures and safety features were needed.
Accessible Pipeline Data Becomes Focal Point of Safety
Many of the world’s most vulnerable pipelines are in developed and municipal areas, where it can be difficult to locate miles of gas pipelines in these regions. And where locations exist, the data may not be in an easily retrievable and shareable format.
Instrument Simplifies Flow Data Control in Oil and Gas Operations
The Thermo Scientific AutoXP flow computer incorporates the functionality of a smart multi-variable transmitter in a single unit to simplify the generation, management and interpretation gas and liquids flow data in harsh operating environments.
What a Gas Measurement Technician Needs to Know for Success
The position of measurement technician is one of the most important roles in the transmission pipeline operation. This article discusses those requirements and the knowledge and skills that a measurement technician must possess to be successful.
Liberty Utilities Sees Potential Benefit in Decoupling
Whenever the topic of “decoupling” is mentioned concerning natural gas distribution utilities, confusion, along with a fair amount of debate, is bound to follow. That’s because, traditionally, rates for business and residential customers are decided based on a particular company’s revenues and profits.
Examining Data Quality of Robotic Pipeline Inspection Methods
Examining the ability of robotic pipeline inspection methods to address specific pipeline threats, including surface corrosion, internal and external anomalies, deformations, construction features, and other useful pipeline features and characteristics.
