Applications of SCADA In The Natural Gas Sector
Real-time, accurate data is key to succeeding in the natural gas industry. Engineers and facilities managers need operational data from the field to perform equipment maintenance, schedule facilities maintenance activities, maintain system wide safety, and cooperate with third party logistics to keep the flow of the products moving. All of these important data figures are provided by SCADA systems.
SCADA for natural gas has a plethora of applications all throughout the processes of harvesting and transporting natural gas. Implementing a SCADA system is a huge part of the natural gas industry because SCADA systems help keep every facet of natural gas safe and efficient.
Applications of SCADA in the Natural Gas Sector
Distribution of Natural Gas
The process of getting natural gas from the wellhead to the refinery for and ultimately to the consumer usually requires a large system of pipeline networks. The advances made in natural gas distribution SCADA technology have significantly reduced the cost for remote telemetry devices and the infrastructure used to retrieve data from these devices. This in turn allows operators to remotely monitor, control and optimize their distribution network.
The benefits of using SCADA in the distribution of natural gas are plenty. Implementing SCADA into a distribution system can help detect leaks and prevent losing product during transportation. It can also inform downstream procedures of what is going to flow through them, as well as track the efficiency and effectiveness of equipment.
Harvesting Natural Gas
With the currently high prices for natural gas, marginal gas field wells which normally aren’t worth the time are now becoming viable. This has led to a large increase in the number of underwater harvesting sites in shallow and deep water.
Underwater production systems can range in complexity, so having a SCADA system in the underwater wells and rigs can help engineers and managers better observe what is occurring during the harvesting process. With a SCADA system in place, it becomes much easier to monitor and control pumps, chokes, and valves. Additionally, the process of extracting becomes much safer due to the ability of a SCADA system to report an event or leak and shut down the system as soon as possible.
Permanent Downhole Gauge Monitoring
A permanent downhole gauge is a pressure and temperature gauge permanently installed in a gas well. Usually, these are installed inside a tube, inside the well so it can measure the temperature and pressure. The data provided from the downhole gauges are useful to engineers in determining the quantities of natural gas contained beneath the sea floor in an oil and gas reservoir. These gauges work fast, they can typically tell you how much is in the reservoir in the first few minutes or hours of pumping the well. This allows the well to be efficiently managed for improving production over the course of the well’s usefulness.
Why It Matters
SCADA is an important aspect of the natural gas harvesting, transporting, and managing operations. It gives oil and gas companies the ability to understand what’s happening in their wells, pipelines, pumps, and the variety of other aspects that go into the production of natural gas. SCADA also helps aid in the protection of the environment. SCADA systems have the ability to notice when an event or leak is occurring and can begin an emergency shut down protocol. This helps preserve the environment as well as preserve this finite resource.
When you are ready to find out more information about SCADA for the oil and gas industry, you can examine outstanding reviews, several types of systems, and helpful resources. If you have any questions or are interested in hearing more about what High Tide Technologies has to offer, please get in touch with us.