Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry has several critical requirements to the process in order to prevent moisture, corrosion, inefficient fuel usage, and to meet official safety regulations. Differential pressure is one very important factor in measuring gas flow through pipelines, pressure at compressor stations, filter, and many more applications. In addition, deviations in the temperature have great impact on the performance and costs. We specialize in producing calibration and test equipment for use throughout the Oil and Gas Industry. From intrinsically safe digital test gauges and data recorders, to high accuracy dry block temperature calibrators, we have a variety of equipment to help you do your job.

Click here to download our brochure on our Measurement Solutions for the Natural Gas Industry.

Gas Distribution - Gathering Systems – Gas from a well is collected using gathering lines, which are like branches on a tree, getting larger as they get closer to the central collection point. Our pressure products are used to measure and test pressures and temperatures throughout the varying lines. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, Temperature Calibrators

Gas Distribution - Processing Plants – To produce pipeline quality dry natural gas, processing plants clean the raw natural gas by separating contaminants such as water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. A fully operational plant delivers natural gas that can be used as fuel by residential, commercial, and industrial customers. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, Temperature Calibrators

Gas Distribution - The Transmission System – Similar to the nation's interstate highway system for cars, the transmission system moves large amounts of natural gas thousands of miles from the gathering systems to local distribution companies. The pressure of gas in each section of line typically ranges from 200 to 3000 psi / 30 to 200 bar, depending on the type of area in which the pipeline is operating. Various measurement tasks are carried out on transmission pipelines. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, PKII, Temperature Calibrators

Gas Distribution - Compressor Stations – Located approximately every 30 to 60 miles / 50 to 100 km along each pipeline, compressor stations boost the pressure that is lost through the friction of the natural gas moving through the steel pipe. Many stations are automated, so the equipment can be started or stopped from a central control room. The control stations can remotely operate shut-off valves and their operators keep detailed data on each station. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, PKII, Temperature Calibrators

Gas Distribution - Gate Stations – When the natural gas reaches a local gas utility, it normally passes through a gate station, which serves three purposes. 1) They reduce the pressure in the line from transmission levels (200 to 3000 psi / 20 to 200 bar) to distribution levels (0.25 to 900 psi / 20 mbar to 60 bar), 2) an odorant is added, and 3) the flow rate of the gas is measured to determine the amount being received by the utility. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, PKII, Temperature Calibrators

Gas Distribution - The Distribution System – Distribution lines, or "mains", are sections of pipe that operate at different pressures, with regulators, some of which are controlled remotely, controlling the pressure. The gas utility's central control center continuously monitors flow rates to ensure that gas reaches each customer with sufficient flow rate and pressure to fuel equipment and appliances. They also ensure that pressures stay below the maximum for each segment. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, Temperature Calibrators

Gas Distribution - Service Lines – Natural gas from the mains is passed into a home or business in a service line. The gas is typically flowing between 60 and 0.25 psi / 4 bar to 20 mbar. When the gas reaches a customer's meter, it might pass through another regulator to reduce its pressure to under 0.25 psi / 20 mbar, if necessary. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, Temperature Instruments

Gas Distribution - Reduction Stations – As the Gas Distribution system is based on the fundamental principle of gas from high to low pressure sections, reduction stations/units are throughout the network. When the pressure of natural gas decreases by 88%, the temperature also decreases by about 65%. This temperature decrease can case an operational (freezing valves) and quality problems. Measuring temperature and pressure throughout the process is key to keeping this under control. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, , Temperature Instruments

Gas Distribution - Metering Systems – From simple mechanical domestic types, to high-end Gas Correctors, for in line measurement, custody transfer to other distribution companies, or larger business customers, to calculate the energy supplied, rather than the amount of gas. Correctors contain a volume meter, a thermometer, and a pressure meter. Values from these are fed to the calculator. Each part can be calibrated individually, and typically temperature and pressure can be calibrated on-site. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, PKII, Temperature Calibrators

Gas Distribution - Maintenance of the Distribution Grid and System – Before any gas is put into the systems, a range of test are done, with leak testing being one of the major ones, found throughout the grid with varying pressure ranges. Data logging of these pressure tests is common. nVision, XP2i

Wellhead Testing – Found both onshore and offshore, wellheads provide the pressure interface for both drilling and production equipment. We provide unmatched accuracy to test and record pressures on the wellhead up to 15 000 psi / 1000 bar. nVision, XP2i

Tubing and Casing Pressure Graphing – To make appropriate adjustments to wells, operators must record a well’s casing and tubing pressure simultaneously. Using our reference recorder, these tests can be completed on the surface, saving both money and time. The nVision can record two pressures simultaneously at up to 10 times per second, and store 500,000 readings. nVision

Injected Wells – A pressurized fluid or gas is injected into a well to stimulate production. Operators monitor wellhead pressure and injection pressure simultaneously to optimize flow. The nVision can record two pressures simultaneously at up to 10 times per second, and store 500,000 readings. nVision

Chart Recorder Replacement – The nVision is an excellent replacement for aging chart recorders. It offers higher accuracy in a smaller, lighter, and more robust package, while saving data in an electronic format. It has been suggested that one 10 000 psi nVision could replace most chart recorders, since chart recorders rarely have better than 1 psi resolution. nVision, XP2i

Hydrostatic Testing/Leak Testing – Pipelines and tanks are tested for their strength and leaks by pressurizing a liquid, and observing whether there is a pressure loss. Both the XP2i and nVision record the pressure test producing a digital record. Pressure and temperature can be recorded simultaneously by using the nVision. nVision, XP2i

Transmitter/Flow Computer Calibration and Validation – Static and differential pressures, along with temperature are commonly measured to calculate flow, using transmitters and flow computers. Calibration and validation is needed to assure their accuracy. The nVision allows a user to complete pressure calibration and validation of a differential transmitter, our temperature calibrators calibrate the temperature component, and our ASC-400 and CSC201 simulate the signal to the flow computer. nVision, Temperature Calibrators, ASC-400

Custody Transfer – When transferring oil & gas from one company to another, accuracy is of the utmost importance. The high accuracy PKII is the de-facto standard used in gas measurement. The nVision also meets the custody transfer required accuracy of ± 0.025%.  Temperature is also an important factor in precise oil flow calculations. The RTC-157, with its active dual zone heating technology, together with a reference probe is capable of accuracy to ± 0.07°F (0.04°C). nVision, PKII, RTC Series

General Calibration and Maintenance – Pressure gauges, pressure and temperature transmitters, transducers, electronic sensors, valves, regulators, and pressure and temperature switches need to be checked and calibrated periodically. The nVision offers multiple modules and special test modes for quick, easy verification. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, MTC, CTC, PTC, ASC-400

Tank Level (Storage) – Natural gas producers store their inventory in holding tanks, tank farms, and underground caverns. An accurate pressure and temperature measurement of each storage vessel creates a record of their inventory on-hand. The nVision offers an easy and fast way to record accurate pressure measurements, and the RTC measures and calibrates temperature. nVision, HPC40 Series, XP2i, RTC, CTC 

Orifice Plate – An orifice plate is used to reduce pressure, restrict flow, or to measure flow. The nVision can measure and record differential pressure at high static pressure directly across an orifice plate. nVision

Pump Testing – The nVision monitors inlet and outlet pressures and records from two pressure sensors, up to 15 000 psi, as fast as 10 times per second, to characterize the pump. nVision, ASC-400

Filter Testing – The nVision can measure and record differential pressure at high static pressure directly across a filter. By estimating a filter's relative age and wear in this manner, a customer can save money by only replacing filters when needed. nVision

Rotary Gas Meters – Rotary gas meters require periodic differential pressure testing to monitor their accuracy. The nVision records low differentials, at any static pressure. At high static pressure, nVision is the only cost effective option. The dampening function in DP mode stabilizes the pulsating output from a rotary meter. nVision

Deadweight Tester Replacement-Augment – The nVision offers the accuracy of a deadweight tester in a much lighter and more portable package. It is also unaffected by temperature or gravity, requires no special training, and is less expensive to calibrate. nVision

Relief Valve and Rupture Disc Testing – Pressure safety valves and rupture discs protect pressure vessels and piping systems from excessive internal pressure. Periodic testing and adjustment of this equipment is essential to maintain overall safety. Our equipment catches the maximum pressure at high speeds (up to 10 readings per second) to complete and document the tests. nVision, XP2i

Torque/Tensioning/Force – Using the special custom engineering unit, our equipment can be used to directly read in ft/lbs, N m, or any other customized unit. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series

Datalogging/Data Recording – Record pressure, temperature, current, and voltage at up to 10 readings per second using the nVision. The battery-optimizing, Ultra Low Power (ULP) mode, allows an entire year of continuous recordings on one set of batteries. nVision, XP2i

Direct Pressure Measurement – Various places throughout oil and gas facilities will require direct measurement of pressure. This could involve permanently mounting an instrument or completed periodic checks. Our intrinsically safe instrumentation provides the flexibility and accuracy to confidently measure pressure. nVision, XP2i, 30 Series, HPC40 Series, ASC-400

Barometric Pressure Measurement – Some applications, such as calibrating absolute pressure gauges, will require the reference gauge to read directly in barometric pressure. The nVision, with the optional barometric reference will indicate pressure in the absolute scale. You can even toggle between gauge and absolute pressure on the same device. nVision, HPC40 Series, ASC-400

Temperature Sensors – Modernization in plants means that thermocouple and RTD sensors are used throughout in a variety of sizes and lengths. It wouldn’t be uncommon to see at least 1000 in a single plant. All of these sensors must be calibrated one or twice a year, depending on accuracy class. Previously, sensors were calibrated in oil baths, but due to complicated and slow testing procedures, limited temperature ranges, and hazardous liquids, dry block calibrators are replacing them with clean, quick, accurate instruments. Our line of dry block calibrators offer a variety of temperature calibration equipment to calibrate these sensors. Temperature Calibrators

Maintenance of Calibration Standards and Test Equipment - Portable calibrators and test equipment requires periodic checks and calibration. Having local standards on site for calibration of these instruments offers a savings in cost and downtime of instruments: calibrate the field instruments locally and then send only the standard in for regular calibration. The nVision and HPC40 Series are small, light-weight instruments that have the accuracy required to calibrate pressure in the field or in a lab. The RTC and PTC series are excellent standards for the verification and calibration of handheld thermometers. There is no better pressure standard than a deadweight tester for calibrating pressure instruments and our deadweight testers are designed to be highly accurate but durable. nVision, HPC40 Series, DTI1000, APM CPF, RTC, PTC, Deadweight Testers