Instrumentation and gas analysis for the oil and gas industry

The complexity of oil and gas drilling and extraction operations requires the installation ofreliable measurement and analysis instruments (gas analysis, flow measurement, pressure measurement, temperature measurement, level measurement). Optimal control of equipment, even in extreme environments, ensures process reliability and the longevity of offshore or coastal installations.

Choosing the right instrumentation can help protect the environment by detecting or stopping leaks or by making oil and gas transport and storage operations more reliable.

Theoil industry is a key sector of the global economy, providing much of the energy needed to power transport, industry and homes. Oil, a non-renewable resource, requires careful extraction, refining and processing to be transformed into usable products.

Let's explore the different stages in the formation and composition of oil, as well as the refining and treatment processes. We'll also look at safety and regulatory issues, as well as process measurement and control methods. These aspects are crucial to ensuring efficient and safe operations in the oil industry.

Oil formation and composition

Petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, formed from the breakdown of organic matter contained in source rocks. Mother rocks are the fossilized remains of aquatic or terrestrial plants, bacteria and microscopic animals that have accumulated at the bottom of oceans, lakes or deltas. Under the action of high temperatures and pressures, these organic materials are transformed into liquid oil and gas. Oil is made up of thousands of different molecules, which must be fractionated and chemically transformed to obtain usable products.
This transformation is essential to produce the fuels and other by-products we use every day.

Oil extraction

Conventional oil

ONSHORE OIL FIELD

Crude oil is recovered by drilling into oil reservoirs, and lifting the oil if a blowout does not occur.

OFFSHORE OIL FIELD

In offshore exploration, a platform is built to drill wells and extract oil.

If the reservoir pressure isn't high enough to allow the oil to flow naturally, pressurized water is introduced to push the hydrocarbons upwards. Reliable measuring instruments are essential to ensure the safety of our installations.

Unconventional oil

OIL SHALE

Shale oil and oil shale gas are extracted from oil shale, either thermally or chemically, or by hydrogenation.
An estimate in 2013 shows that the world's total oil shale resources are worth 6.7 trillion barrels, four times more than conventional oil. The largest deposit of resources in the United States.

OIL SANDS

As the crude oil in the tar sands is extremely viscous and cannot be extracted by a conventional process, high temperature steam is injected to lower the viscosity of the oil in order to recover the oil.

Gas production

A gas well is created by drilling a borehole 3,000 to 5,000 meters deep, placing casing in it, and making holes on the casing in the gas zone so that gas can pass through the holes in the well. drilling. Then a steel pipe called a production tube is inserted into the casing to carry the oil or gas to the surface. In most cases, oil and natural gas include contaminants such as strata water and carbon dioxide. To remove them, oil and gas are sent through a valve assembly called a "Christmas tree" to a separator.

Unconventional natural gas

SHALE GAS

Shale gas is natural gas present in shale formations. Due to its low permeability, it cannot be recovered by conventional drilling methods. In recent years, the natural gas industry has adopted horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in the extraction of shale gas.
Shale gas has become an important source of natural gas, particularly in the United States and Canada.

GASEOUS FUEL

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Refining and processing

Oil refining is a complex process that involves separating the various components of crude oil according to their boiling point and density. The main products of refining are fuels (gasoline, diesel, kerosene), lubricating oils, bitumens and petrochemicals. Petroleum processing also involves the removal of impurities and contaminants, such as sulfur, nitrogen and heavy metals.

These steps guarantee the quality of finished products and meet strict environmental standards. Oil refining and processing require advanced technologies and rigorous processes to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact.

Safety and regulations

Theoil industry is subject to strict safety and environmental protection regulations. Oil companies must comply with occupational health and safety standards, as well as environmental regulations to minimize the impact of their activities on the environment.

Accidents and oil leaks can have serious consequences for the environment and human health, so it's essential to take preventive and control measures to avoid these risks. Companies must implement rigorous safety protocols and use state-of-the-art technologies to monitor and control their operations.

Process measurement and control

Process measurement and control are essential to ensure safety and efficiency in theoil industry. Measurement and control instruments monitor critical parameters such as pressure, temperature, flow rate and fluid composition.

Automated control systems enable processes to be regulated and corrective action to be taken in the event of deviation. Measurement and control technologies are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the oil industry, and to improve the safety and efficiency of operations.

The use of accurate, reliable measuring instruments is essential to guarantee the smooth operation of plants and the quality of finished products.