Metering & Measurement
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.
Ultrasonic Metering, Creative Insulation Engineering, Aid LNG Plant
A major East Coast storage facility for liquefied natural gas (LNG) had a flow metering challenge on one line. The problem was directly related to the temperature of the product. LNG is liquefied to concentrate its volume for shipping and, as a result, the temperature of the liquid drops to a cryog..
New View on Oil and Gas Facilities
Spatial information – an object’s location, size, shape and relationship to other structures and objects – is an essential component in planning, constructing and operating energy facilities. In order to support efficient production and transport of oil and gas, energy producers must have accurate,..
Measuring Methane Emissions: Part of Gas Pipelines’ Future
When examining the growing cottage industry of methane emissions control, it is clear upfront that it is one of the toughest sub-specialties in the emerging conglomerate that makes up the national response to climate change impacts. Researchers, engineers and public-policy wonks must start with the ..
Mr. Mayeaux, You Left Your Company in the Right Hands
Justin Harvey knows he has an industrial-sized pair of shoes to fill as he takes the helm at A+ Corporation, a family-owned and operated gas sample conditioning system service company in Gonzales, LA. The 30-year-old Harvey was just a toddler when his legendary grandfather Donald Mayeaux founded the company in 1989. Mayeaux earned his reputation for developing product concepts that changed the manner in which natural gas was sampled.
EPA Proposes New Methane Regulations for Midstream Operations
The federal Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed new regulations for methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the oil and gas sector that place time-consuming and expensive new requirements on midstream businesses. These regulations would not apply to pipelines, but would require ongoing emissions monitoring and equipment replacements at compressor stations and natural gas processing plants built, “modified,” or “reconstructed” after Sept. 18, 2015.
What's New: December 2015
<p><strong>Inline Services</strong></p> <p>Inline’s polyurethane spheres are ideal for removing liquids from wet gas systems, product separation, hydrostatic line testing and wax control in crude oil pipelines. Our spheres are manufactured of high quality polyurethane for lasting service in the worst conditions. Inflatable spheres, 12-inch and larger are designed with two filling holes to ensure complete removal of the air inside the sphere. Spheres can also be manufactured out of medium and hard-density foam, coated in various polyurethane coatings and even equipped with brushes. www.inlineservices.com</p>
Improving Lost and Unaccounted for Levels by Embracing Innovation
Across many industries, companies showing a reluctance to embrace new technology are in danger of losing any competitive edge. In the oil and gas industry, where even the smallest error can have a major long-term effect, embracing innovation in the form of data analytics has become a necessity for companies striving to reach the highest levels.
Data Shows Most Crude Produced in Lower 48 Light Oils
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data show that for the first nine months of 2015, most (50.8%) of the crude oil produced in the Lower 48 states were light oils with an API gravity above 40 degrees. The largest share of production was in the 40.1 to 45 degree API gravity range.
Mastering Inspection of Challenging Pipelines
Any inspection device used internally must be introduced into the pipeline to be investigated. This implies that the line is accessible. “Piggable” lines need suitable launchers and receivers and are generally inspected in a unidirectional mode. If tool traps are not available or suitable, access has to be achieved via other means. Accessibility can be achieved through technical and/or procedural means.
Retrofitting Customized Valves, Actuators for Pipeline Monitoring Stations
Oil and gas engineers face a major problem in accurately and reliably measuring and monitoring the various fluids that are introduced into oil pipelines from well site pumping stations. A thorough understanding of both the oil separation process and the properties of valves and actuators is required to correctly specify a system that will sufficiently measure and monitor these various types of fluids. Also, the conditions downstream from each well are different, requiring valves and actuators to be highly customized to their specific role in the process.
GPR, EM Technologies Offer Rewards in Environmental Assessments
Geophysical surveys can be the bedrock – pardon the pun – of environmental projects, from locating abandoned underground storage tanks (USTs) and utilities, to complex mapping of geology in remedial investigations and finding landfill boundaries and other buried unknown problems.
ILI Offers Technology that Will Continue to Advance
There are about 3.5 million kilometers of oil and gas pipelines worldwide needing regular cleaning, inspection and maintenance, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA).
New Integrity Solutions Facing Many Same Old Problems
The protection of oil, gas and refined product pipelines against natural events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis, not to mention human actions including construction excavations, illegal tapping and terrorist sabotage, is an ongoing concern for operators around the world. However, in the United States, the top three causes of pipeline failure reported by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are construction excavations, corrosion and equipment failure (Figure1).
Mastering Inspection of Challenging Pipelines
Pipelines are a valuable asset and need protection. In order to achieve this, a modern pipeline integrity management program usually includes regular inspections followed by integrity assessment, and if required, repair and rehabilitation measures.
- S.D. Lawmakers Vote to Support Bills Aimed at Preparing for Possible Keystone XL Protests
- TransCanada Restarts Shut Portion of Keystone Oil Pipeline
- Wood Awarded Major Pipeline Construction Contract
- Appeals Court Rejects Dominion's Request for New Atlantic Coast Pipeline Hearing
- Trump Signs New Permission for Keystone XL Pipeline
