The oil and gas industry faces stringent regulatory compliance requirements and the need for routine inspections and maintenance. Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs are required by the Environmental Protection Agency for many types of facilities. There are toxic vapor analyzers (TVAs) that are able to detect gas leaks, and now there is additional technology that works with the TVAs: an optical gas imaging (OGI) camera, which is a specialized infrared camera that detects and visualizes gas leaks.
Fugitive Emissions
Fugitive emissions are unintended leaks of gases or vapors from pressurized industrial equipment. For industries that use or produce gases and chemicals that are hazardous to humans or the environment, fugitive emissions can be especially dangerous to workers, the community, and the environment. Unfortunately, leaks of toxic vapors can happen all throughout the journey between the well and the customer. This Best Practice Guide by the EPA notes that studies have estimated that valves and connectors are the most significant source of leaks in the United States.
Where Leaks Can be Found
Natural gas must travel a great distance from the original well to reach its point of use. The transportation system for natural gas consists of a complex network of pipelines, referred to as transmission pipes, all of which must be regularly monitored and checked to help ensure against leaks and faults.
Off-shore drilling rigs deal with volatile substances under extreme pressure and in a hostile environment. This entails many risks, sometimes ending in tragedy. It is crucial to monitor and reach even the most remote station regularly.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state. LNG terminals are highly volatile sites that use various equipment for handling and transporting liquefied natural gas and liquefaction, re-gasification, processing, storage, and more. Early detection of leaks can prevent major disasters and ensure proper maintenance.
At oil refineries, gas leak detection cameras enable the quick and safe detection and visualization of fugitive emissions leaks, allowing quick detection and repair of leaks, thus helping prevent major damage and avoid fines.
Better Together Technology
There are toxic vapor analyzers that are able to detect gas leaks from refineries and chemical plants, and they are common in the industry to help identify leaks and comply with U.S. EPA Method 21 and LDAR programs. (You can read more about European regulations and the various monitoring methods in this blog article: EMEA Regulations on Leak Detection (LDAR) )
For routine inspections, maintenance, LDAR, or regulatory compliance, oil and gas companies can leverage the advanced capabilities of an optical gas imaging (OGI) camera , combined with a Method 21 Flame Ionization Detector. This robust combined solution allows operators to effortlessly detect and quantify leaks, making compliance with global environmental regulations simpler than ever.
There are OGIs that can identify and quantify methane and over 400 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With thermographic imaging, there is enhanced versatility through temperature measurement and color palettes. Wireless capabilities help enable seamless data transmission, remote operation, and real-time streaming and sharing of results.
This partnership of technologies brings together two powerful tools, providing the oil and gas industry with an advanced solution for leak detection and quantification. Operators can now achieve greater efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance with ease, and hopefully a safer environment for all of us.
Additional Resources:
- Application Note: Handheld OGI camera for gas leak detection and quantification
- eBook A Guide to Monitoring Fugitive Emissions and Developing a Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Program
- S. EPA Method 21 [https://www.epa.gov/emc/method-21-volatile-organic-compound-leaks]
- Blog article: EMEA Regulations on Leak Detection (LDAR)
- Product Information: Thermo Scientific™ TVA2020 Toxic Vapor Analyzer and Thermo Scientific™ OPGAL EyeCGas® Optical Gas Camera
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