TECHSTAR BLOG

Thermal Mass Flow Meters for Oil and Gas Applications

Posted by TechStar on May 23, 2018 9:05:00 AM
Beyond traditional oil and gas extraction techniques, the Oil & Gas Industry has been booming in the United States and around the world since the demand for shale oil has led to horizontal fraction drilling all over the world and even in several regions of the U.S. This drilling is happening both on and offshore to tap into vast quantities of resources trapped in the porous shale deposits deep underground and under the seabed. The flow back from shale oil plays has many different components that must undergo a process of separation in order to isolate the resources for use. Once separated, the byproducts are often stored in tanks before being transported for distribution and sale.

Thermal mass flow meters from Fox Thermal have been used to measure tank vent and flash gas during storage. VOC emissions from these tank batteries are required to be
reported for regulatory purposes. The accurate monitoring of leaks from these tanks is another common use of thermal mass flow meters.

The flowback from fracking well heads must go through separators in order to separate the water/chemical solution from the oil and gas components that the water has forced out of the shale formations. The gases processed by the separators exit the separator unit from its own outlet that must be accurately measured for accounting and allocation purposes. Furthermore, flow of water, oil, and gases from the separator equipment must be measured to determine how productive the resources from the gas well head are. Over time, the well heads produce less and less gases and owners must determine when to decommission them.

Due to the often remote locations of these gas wells, there are not always local utilities available to power the equipment needed at the well site. Fuel gas to the equipment is needed to measure and monitor consumption.

Exhaust and vent gas from compressor packing cases is required to be monitored for environmental impact.

Some common gases and applications:
  • Compressor Packing Case Exhaust Flow Measurement
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Monitoring Flow Meters
  • Continuous Emissions Monitoring
  • Flow Meters for EPA and Other Emissions Regulations and Protocols
  • GHG Flow Meter
  • Sub meters for Natural Gas Measurement
  • Tank Vent / Flash Gas Station Monitoring
  • Natural Gas Totalizers
  • Methane Flow Measurement
  • Propane Flow Measurement
  • 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOO Reporting
  • 40 CFR Part 98 Subpart W Reporting
  • CO2e Reporting
  • Flare and Combustor Gas Measurement
  • Separator Gas Measurement
  • Vapor Recovery Unit (VRU) Gas Measurement
  • Fuel & Combustion Gas Measurement
  • Other Pure and Mixed Gas Applications

Topics: Fox Thermal, Thermal Gas Mass Flow Meters

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