Oil and gas offshore

Oil and gas are important raw materials in our economy. The offshore production facilities require high operational reliability, availability and utilization. IPTech meets this demand with wear and maintenance free measurement technology.

Hydraulic oil reservoir tank

Level measurement in the reservoir tank for hydraulic oil

Application

The hydraulic oil used to transmit power circulates in a closed system. However, it is gradually lost due to lubrication points and leakages in the power equipment. To ensure optimum operation of the power equipment, the level in every hydraulic oil reservoir tank must be monitored for replenishment.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement unaffected by medium
Cost effective
Continuous operation of the power equipment is assured
User friendly
Simple installation

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
2 m
Medium:
Hydraulic oil
Process temperature:
0 … +50 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Changing composition of the hydraulic oil

Wave and draught height

Wave height measurement for a drilling and production platform

Application

The height of floating drilling or pumping assets like platforms or FPSOs must be precisely maintained, even in the roughest seas with waves up to 30 m high. Environmental influences such as wind and waves must be measured quickly and accurately, then evaluated with GPS navigation data. Furthermore, quick and exact measurement of wave heights is needed should there be an evacuation, where “freefall lifeboats” need to be released to meet waves at their highest point.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement for protection of personnel and equipment
Cost effective
Long service life thanks to the use of non-contact measurement method
User friendly
Simple mounting

Process data

Measuring task:
Wave height measurement
Measuring point:
Open sea
Measuring range up to:
35 m
Medium:
Sea water
Process temperature:
-20 … +50 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Wind, seawater, temperature fluctuations

Ballast tanks

Level measurement and point level detection in the ballast tanks

Application

Floating drilling or pumping assets such as platforms or FPSOs are stabilized by filling or emptying ballast tanks with seawater. This enables operators to critically and safely manage the ballast and trim of a vessel according to operational needs, deck loading and sea conditions. For trouble-free operation of the ballast system and the safety of personnel and equipment on board, reliable level measurement and point level detection are absolutely essential.

Your benefit

Reliable
High platform stability through reliable measurement
Cost effective
Long service life thanks to resistant materials
User friendly
Simple installation and maintenance-free operation

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement and point level detection
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
30 m
Medium:
Sea water
Process temperature:
-4 … +30 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +5 bar
Special challenges:
Aggressive seawater, large pressure fluctuations

Oil separators

Level and pressure measurement in an oil separator

Application

The separator vessel contains a mixture of crude oil, gas, water and sand extracted from the subsea well. Precise monitoring of these multiple separation interfaces and emulsions play a vital role in ensuring the quality of the oil separator for separation. Exact control of interfaces, level and pressure allows optimum utilization of the oil separator and increases the effectiveness of the entire asset.

Your benefit

Reliable
Measurement results are unaffected by process conditionst
Cost effective
Efficient operation and high oil quality
User friendly
Maintenance-free operation

Process data

Measuring task:
Pressure, level and interface measurement
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
4 m
Medium:
A mixture consisting of oil, gas, water and sand
Process temperature:
-40 … +150 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +120 bar
Special challenges:
High pressure, high temperaturess

Mud tanks

Density measurement in mud tanks

Application

Prior to, and during pumping into the well, the density of the mud needs continuous monitoring. Density is an important criteria for determining the correct composition of the drilling mud. The correct mud formulation ensures smooth forward propulsion, wear-free drilling and excellent sealing of the borehole is ensured through density monitoring.

Your benefit

Reliable
Secure sealing of the boreholet
Cost effective
Ensures continuous bore head operation
User friendly
Wear and maintenance-free measurement

Process data

Measuring task:
Density measurement
Measuring point:
Vessel
Measuring range up to:
0.8 g/cm3 … 2.5 g/cm3
Medium:
Mud (drilling mud)
Process temperature:
0 … +90 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +5 bar
Special challenges:
Abrasion

Mud tank level

Level measurement in mud tanks

Application

In the mud tanks, agitators or jet nozzles stir and mix the mud to ensure a homogeneous mixture. To enable a continuous process, the level measurement must be reliable and independent of the composition of the drilling mud.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement despite rough conditions
Cost effective
Maintenance-free operation even in adhesive media
User friendly
Simple installation thanks to small antenna systems

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement
Measuring point:
Vessel
Measuring range up to:
10 m
Medium:
Mud (drilling mud)
Process temperature:
0 … +90 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +5 bar
Special challenges:
Heavy contamination

Wastewater sump (open drain)

Level measurement in rainwater collecting tanks

Application

Rain run-off on board of oil platforms and ships is polluted with production residues and contaminants such as oil, sand and dirt. The rainwater with these contaminants must be collected in special tanks and properly disposed of. A reliable level measurement in the tank protects against overflow of the open drain removing the possibility of subsequent marine pollution.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement, independent of weather conditions
Cost effective
Effective utilization of the collecting tank
User friendly
Simple installation

Process data

Measuring task:
Level of measurement
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
3 m
Medium:
Mixture consisting of water, oil and sand
Process temperature:
0 … +50 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Wind, temperature fluctuations

Gas separators (scrubbers)

Level and pressure measurement in the gas separator

Application

Extracted natural gas and gas residues from oil production are contaminated with water and are therefore collected in gas separators (scrubbers) for separation. Pressures of up to +150 bar keep the gas in the liquid state. Exact pressure and level measurement enable optimal utilization of the gas separator and effective control of the gas drying process. The separation of gas from water is carried out by chemically binding the water to glycol and separating it mechanically. Accurate measurement of the gas/water interface determines the quality of the gas.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement, independent of process conditions
Cost effective
Ensures an effective gas drying process, and thus high quality gas
User friendly
Maintenance-free operation

Process data

Measuring task:
Pressure, level and interface measurement
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
4 m
Medium:
Gas/water mixture
Process temperature:
0 … +150 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +160 bar
Special challenges:
High pressure, high temperature

Shaker

Level measurement and point level detection in the shaker

Application

Through the effects of strong vibration in the shaker, the liquid and solid components of the drilling mud returning from the borehole are separated from each other. The drilled rock and the sand are disposed of and the valuable drilling mud is fed back into the continuous drilling process. Level measurement and point level detection are absolutely necessary for effective processing of the drilling mud in the shaker.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement, independent of the process conditions
Cost effective
Ensures effective processing of the drilling mud
User friendly
Simple installation and setup from above

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement and point level detection
Measuring point:
Vessel
Measuring range up to:
2 m
Medium:
Drilled rock, sand, mud (drilling mud)
Process temperature:
0 …+80 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Strong vibration, buildup

Trip tank

Level measurement in the trip tank

Application

The drilling mud flowing back under high pressure from the drilling well is held and monitored in the trip tank. This drilling mud is contaminated with sea water, rocks and sand. In addition to materials like rocks and sand, residues of oil and gas are also present. The built-in level measuring system provides feedback about down-well conditions, basic data for comparing the quantity of drilling mud fed into the wellbore with that returned, as well as regulating mud production.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement, independent of the characteristics of the drilling mud
Cost effective
Maintenance-free and accurate determination of mud usage
User friendly
Simple installation and setup

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement
Measuring point:
Tank
Measuring range up to:
10 m
Medium:
Contaminated mud (drilling mud)
Process temperature:
0 … +90 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Different mud compositions, strong abrasion

Mud flow return line

Drilling mud pipe flow measurement

Application

The drilling mud flowing back from the drilling contains large amounts of solids. To avoid clogging in these pipes and the associated damage to the drill head and loss of production, a reliable monitoring of the entire mud return system is essential.

Your benefit

Reliable
Precise measurement protects the drilling equipment
Cost effective
Continuous, wear-free operation
User friendly
Simple setup and commissioning

Process data

Measuring task:
Measurement of the flow rate
Measuring point:
Pipeline
Measuring range up to:
0.40 m
Medium:
Mud (drilling mud)
Process temperature:
0 … +90 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Strong abrasion

Storage tank for solid raw materials

Level measurement and point level detection in the storage tank for solid raw materials

Application

The solid raw materials such as gravel, clay, barite, cement and binders are essential for creating the different properties of the drilling mud. These materials are stored for mud production in storage tanks. To ensure optimal storage, reliable level measurement and point level detection are required.
 

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement under rough conditions
Cost effective
Maintenance-free operation despite the presence of abrasive and adhesive products
User friendly
Simple installation and setup

 

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement and point level detection
Measuring point:
Vessel
Measuring range up to:
10 m
Medium:
Gravel, cement, clay, barite, binders
Process temperature:
0 … +50 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 10 bar
Special challenges:
Strong dust and noise generation, buildup, abrasion

Storage tank for liquid raw materials

Level measurement and point level detection of liquid raw materials in storage tanks

Application

Oils and alkaline solutions are among the liquid raw materials for the mud mixtures. These additives are stored on the drilling platform in special storage tanks. To ensure the continuous production of drilling mud, the level of raw materials in the storage tanks must be exactly monitored.
 

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement, independent of product characteristics
Cost effective
Maintenance-free operation
User friendly
Simple setup and commissioning

 

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement and point level detection
Measuring point:
Vessel
Measuring range up to:
15 m
Medium:
Oils and alkaline solutions
Process temperature:
0 … +50 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Buildup, foam

Flare knockout drum

Level measurement in the flare knockout drum

Application

The unrecoverable residues of oil and gas production are collected in the flare knockout drum and liquefied at high pressure. The recovered liquid, the condensate, collects at the bottom of the vessel and is disposed of. The non-liquefied gases are decompressed and burned in the flare system. To ensure efficient and safe operation of the vessel, the level inside must be very reliably measured.

Your benefit

Reliable
Reliable measurement, independent of process conditions
Cost effective
Ensures effective operation of the equipment
User friendly
Maintenance-free operation

Process data

Measuring task:
Level measurement
Measuring point:
Vessel
Measuring range up to:
4 m
Medium:
Condensate
Process temperature:
-50 … +30 °C
Process pressure:
0 … +100 bar
Special challenges:
High pressure, condensation

Primary desalter

Interface tracking in the primary desalter

Application

It is important that a desalter unit runs efficiently to prevent corrosion to downstream equipment. When the crude oil mixes with the emulsifying chemicals and water, the resulting emulsion layer makes it difficult for standard level measurement technologies to reliably track the interface. Radiation-based measuring instruments are not affected by this and allow to track the interface even with thick emulsion layers present in the tank to make sure that the desalting process can be controlled efficiently at maximum throughput.
 

Your benefit

Reliable
High measuring precision, independent of process conditions
Cost effective
External mounting to the vessel, easily retrofitted
User friendly
Simple air and water calibration for fast commissioning time

 

Process data

Measuring task:
Interface and density measurement
Measuring point:
Bullet
Measuring range up to:
5 m
Medium:
Crude oil
Process temperature:
+120 … +290 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Multiple interface, thick emulsions, changing densities

Secondary desalter

Interface measurement in the secondary desalter

Application

To maximize efficiency of the electrostatic grid as it removes contaminants within second and third stage desalters, a crucial point of control is to maintain the oil and water interface just below this grid. Reliable measurement of this level protects the grid from shorting out on the water as well as increasing efficiency of the unit, which ensures the quality of the feed moving into the next process unit.
 

Your benefit

Reliable
Unaffected by changing crude density
Cost effective
Low maintenance costs
User friendly
Fast and easy setup

 

Process data

Measuring task:
Interface measurement
Measuring point:
Bullet
Measuring range up to:
5 m
Medium:
Crude oil/H20
Process temperature:
+40 … +60 °C
Process pressure:
0 … 0 bar
Special challenges:
Oil/water interface, changing density

Beer tank

Application

During the brewing process, a thick layer of foam is always present in the beer tanks. Therefore usually two pressure transmitters are used for level measurement. One transmitter measures the head pressure, while the other at the bottom measures the total pressure. The level is precisely calculated from the differential between these two pressures. Hygienic process fittings are absolutely necessary for these sensors.

Your benefit

Reliable Certified materials according to FDA and EC 1935/2004 regulations Cost effective plics® concept: short delivery time and standardized operation User friendly One measuring system, three measured values: level, pressure, temperature