PRODUCTION • PROCESSING • HANDLING M
ethane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. It is the second most abundant
human-made greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide, and is more than 28 times as potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period.[1] It has, therefore, become increasingly important for governments and companies internationally to try and reduce their overall methane emissions throughout industrial processes. The oil and gas industry is
responsible for approximately 80Mt of methane emissions annually, representing about 40% of methane emissions from human activity. These emissions can be reduced by over 75% with solutions such as leak detection, repair programmes, and upgrading leaky equipment. Methane abatement in oil and gas can be achieved cost effectively. Around 40% of methane emissions could be avoided at no net cost.[2] Automation in upstream oil and gas
operations and processes helps reduce emissions while delivering advanced control, lower power consumption, high reliability, and easy field serviceability. One way of reducing upstream methane emissions is the installation of electric actuators over pneumatic ones.
ELECTRIC ACTUATORS FOR UPSTREAM OIL AND GAS APPLICATIONS Electric actuators use electricity as their power source instead of well-stream natural gas. Upstream production process control valves have traditionally been operated by pneumatic diaphragm actuators that use the well-stream gas for their motive power, releasing methane every time the valve is stroked. Electric actuators do not vent during operation. Maintenance requirements for electric
actuators are significantly lower than those for pneumatic actuators and control instruments. Rotork electric actuators deliver self-contained one-piece actuation solutions, which reduce the risk of failure compared with a typical pneumatic solution that comprises multiple pieces of equipment. Servicing a self-contained electric
actuator versus a pneumatic solution with multiple parts and systems also results in cost savings and increased
32
www.engineerlive.com
A production tree with IQTF actuator
ADVANCES IN AUTOMATION
Chris Hardy discusses how automation in upstream oil and gas processes can help reduce methane emissions
operational efficiency. Rotork electric actuators, like the
intelligent IQ, CMA and CVA process control actuators, feature user-friendly interfaces and software tools that simplify the commissioning process, making them an ideal solution for valve applications in the oil and gas industry. Electric actuators have other
significant benefits over pneumatic technologies. Pneumatic actuators consist of multiple parts, not just an actuator, and all parts can suffer from air-quality fluctuations, temperature variations, and other environmental factors. Electric actuators are less susceptible
to these influences. They are more energy efficient as they only consume electricity when in operation. By contrast, pneumatic actuators and controls require a constant supply of either motive pipeline gas or locally produced compressed air. Many electric actuators from Rotork are available with fail-to-position
options that automatically return valves to a predetermined position in case of power loss or emergencies, thereby enhancing safety and preventing potential damage to equipment. They also feature advanced
diagnostics, enabling remote monitoring of condition, performance, and other potential issues. This allows for early identification and resolution of problems, preventing unexpected failures and associated downtime. Reliable and advanced automation
solutions can help operators reduce emissions, improve process efficiencies and increase production output.
[1] [2]
Overview of Greenhouse Gases | US EPA
Information source: International Energy Agency, Global Methane Tracker 2023
Chris Hardy is head of strategy for Oil & Gas at Rotork.
www.rotork.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
