< PreviousMARKET FOCUS 40 oilandgasmiddleeast.com APRIL 2019 SMARTER PIGS, BETTER PIPELINES Global intelligent pigging services are set to grow amidst a changing industry landscape Pipeline inspection gauges (pigs) are essential to the smooth fl ow of operations for hydrocarbon producers. As with most segments of the oil and gas industry, technology has seeped into pigging to optimise it and expand its possibilities—and it is only poised for more growth. According to a February 2019 report by Future Market Insights (FMI), which forecast the growth of the global intelligent pigging services market between 2015-2025, this segment will register CAGR of 6.3% during this period of time. Where regular pigs perform typical inspection and maintenance operations for oil and gas pipelines, smart pigs have an on-board electronic chip which records data about the pipeline’s condition, widely used to detect corrosion or cracks. “Stringent government & industry regulations, expected economic revival and technological advancements in pigging services MARKET FOCUS 41 oilandgasmiddleeast.com APRIL 2019 UAE l SAUDI ARABIA l KUWAIT l OMAN l SINGAPORE l INDONESIA l INDIA pigging services accounted for 80.4% market share in 2014, and FMI forecasts the gas industry segment to register a CAGR of 6.2% between 2015 and 2025, accounting for $657mn by 2025. Meanwhile, the oil industry segment accounted for 19.8% of market share by the end of 2015, and is forecast to increase at a CAGR of 6.7% through 2025. Currently, the gas pipeline network is larger than that of oil, and this trend is expected to continue during the forecast period as well. As consumption of petroleum products and natural gas increases, this will fuel growing demand for smart pigging services. The global intelligent pigging services market is segmented geographically into North America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacifi c Excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Latin America and Japan. North America accounted for 48.9% revenue share in the global intelligent pigging services market, and the study by FMI forecasts that North America will continue to dominate the global intelligent pigging services market hrough to 2025. Meanwhile, one of the smallest intelligent pigging services market, Latin America is expected to register the highest CAGR. The APEJ market is projected to register a CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period. The report did not specify market statistics for the Middle East and Africa. The intelligent pigging services market mostly involves vendors (including the manufacturers of pigging equipment) and upstream oil and gas companies. “Major [original equipment manufacturers]/ vendors operating in the global market are focused adopting advanced inspection technologies to enhance effi ciency of services,” an FMI analyst wrote. “Pipeline operators are entering into long-term supply contracts with OEMs/vendors to minimise eff ect of increasing costs of intelligent pigging services.” The report also noted that vendors operating in this segment of the market should put more focus on combinational technologies, which are more eff ective than the individiual technologies which are generally used for pigging applications in the market today. are surging demand for global intelligent pigging services market,” an FMI analyst wrote in the report. The analyst added that increasing awareness among pipeline operators about the benefi ts of regular inspection and maintenance of pipelines is expected to further fuel market growth. This is also expected to prompt original equipment manufacturers and vendors of intelligent pigs to introduce innovation in inspection technologies such as magnetic fl ux leakage (MFL) and ultrasonic test (UT) to improve the effi ciency of services. These two technologies provide an easy way to segment the global intelligent pigging services market. Among them, demand for MFL is signifi cant, accounting for 66.6% of the global intelligent pigging market in 2014. As per FMI estimates, this segment is expected to register a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. Another clear division for smart pigging services is end-use. Again, it can easily be divided into two segments: oil, and gas. The gas industry segment in the global intelligent KNOWLEDGE PARTNER 42 oilandgasmiddleeast.com APRIL 2019 AGAINST THE CURRENT Daniel Lemos of ABB talks about the importance of leak detection and innovation in that space Current traditional leak detection technology is slow, laborious and costly. Operators walk on foot, very near the pipeline, with low sensitivity, hand-held sensors making paper-based reports. Hand inspection is slow and can lead to dangerous leaks being missed or not identifi ed in a timely manner. Other, more modern techniques such as thermal imaging or co-located optical fi bre can be eff ective in detecting very large leaks but have cost and installation challenges. By combining ABB’s state-of-the-art analysers with single parts-per-billion sensitivity with leading-edge turbulent diff usion analyses on a mobile platform, the ABB AbilityTM Mobile Gas Leak Detection System delivers a low cost-per-leak solution with low false positives. Reporting includes GIS-compatible mapping of the leaks available via a mobile app and measurements as a cloud-based service. The ABB AbilityTM Mobile Gas Leak Detection System uses ABB’s patented Off -Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA- ICOS) technique, which boasts a sensitivity and precision more than 1000 times greater than legacy methods. This technology allows users (e.g., utilities, service companies and scientists) to fi nd and quantify gas leaks in pipelines faster and with greater confi dence. By driving or fl ying these extremely sensitive sensors downwind of potential natural gas leaks and analysing the measured gas concentrations and wind velocity, ABB’s system can automatically detect the presence of leaks and predict their location from tens or even hundreds of metres away from the source. The system consists of ABB’s Methane/ Ethane Analyser with proprietary 3-D printed air inlet, GPS, sonic anemometer, wireless 4G router, and proprietary leak detection soft ware that presents real-time geospatial maps of multiple gas concentrations, wind velocity and leak locations in real time. The compact system can be placed into the trunk of almost any vehicle and can be fully installed in about four hours. The system can be operational within 100 seconds aft er power on, requiring only time for the internal computer and local wireless network to boot. The analyser measures methane and ethane concentrations with high selectivity and single parts-per-billion (ppb) precision at a data rate of up to 5 Hz. The soft ware’s sophisticated leak detection algorithm combines the system’s measurements of gas concentrations (CH4, C2H6), local coordinates (GPS) and local wind velocity (sonic anemometer) to estimate the location of leak source. Predicted leak indications and emission rates are displayed on Google Maps or Open Street Maps in real time on the (included) laptop computer and, if desired, can be sent to the users’ secure server in the cloud for remote monitoring while the vehicle travels along its route. Typical applications include pipeline integrity monitoring, surveying mains and services, odor Daniel Lemos, ABB vice president hub manager, MEA Measurement & AnalyticsKNOWLEDGE PARTNER 43 oilandgasmiddleeast.com APRIL 2019 vegetated areas or inaccessible right of way). When mounted on fi xed wing, long endurance airframes, this technology also enables rapid survey of transmission pipeline without the need for co-located roads. The miniaturized analyser has a weight of 3.0 – 3.4 kg (depending on confi guration), a fl ow response and data rate of up to 5 Hz, consumes 32 watts during operation, and off ers onboard soft ware that logs UAV telemetry from ArduPilot and DJI A3 fl ight controllers. The ABB AbilityTM Mobile Leak Detection System improves the effi ciency of pipeline integrity operations by dramatically speeding the survey process and fi nding more leaks faster for a safer and more environmentally friendly pipeline network. Additionally, ABB off ers sensors with ground-breaking sensitivity and speed for every stage of the integrity puzzle by off ering inspection tools for ground-based vehicles, UAVs, handheld pinpointing and stationary monitoring. While this is not currently being used in the region, there is high potential for sales wherever natural gas is stored, transported or used or any application requiring improvements in effi ciency, safety and reduced waste. The ABB AbilityTM Mobile Leak Detection System allows users to effi ciently and rapidly improve the safety of their network, and it makes measurement from remote locations possible. Still, some challenges persist—regulatory awareness of mobile leak detection systems is still evolving, as well as industry-wide acceptance of mobile leak detection best practices. ABB’s approach is new to many users, and the numerous benefi ts it off ers require a reimagining of how operations utilise improved leak data in some cases. “THE ABB ABILITYTM MOBILE LEAK DETEC- TION SYSTEM ALLOWS USERS TO EFFICIENT- LY AND RAPIDLY IM- PROVE THE SAFETY OF THEIR NETWORK.” investigation, construction verifi cation, post disaster evaluation and frost line evaluation. ABB has created a revolutionary, miniaturized version of our patented OA-ICOS technology to enable single parts-per-billion (ppb) detection of methane from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This extends the capability of the ABB AbilityTM Mobile Leak Detection System to pipeline assets that are diffi cult or impossible to reach on the ground (e.g., pipeline that is underwater, under-bridges, in heavily TECHNICAL FOCUS 44 oilandgasmiddleeast.com APRIL 2019 PIG DETECTORS How pig detection systems, like Emerson’s Roxar PDS, help pipeline operators ensure pipeline integrityTECHNICAL FOCUS 45 oilandgasmiddleeast.com APRIL 2019 The Roxar PDS is a non-intrusive, bi-directional unit that detects the high performance acoustic emissions generated by all types of PIGs as they move through the pipe. The detector has no moving parts or active emission sources. When a PIG travels through the pipe, the friction between the PIG and the pipe generates a characteristic noise. This noise contains information that can be interpreted to gain more knowledge on the situation inside the pipe. The acoustic emission transducer used in Roxar PDS detects this noise and transforms it into valuable information. PIGS, in general, generate suffi cient noise to allow detection at velocities at a minimum 0.05 m/s depending on PIG material. Noise within the ultrasonic frequency band of the sensor will be largely dominated by that induced by the passing PIGs. Contributions from other external sources are negligible, which again minimizes the risk for spurious and false readings. Noise from external sources can also be fi ltered out during installation of the device. The Calculation and Interface Unit (CIU) receives a digitized noise signal from the detector once every second. When a PIG is approaching the detector, the noise generated by the PIG rises above the Average Noise Level (ANL) and when increasing above a defi ned limit, the CIU gives a “PIG Approach” signal. When the PIG has passed the detector, the noise level will drop back to normal level. When the level drops off below a defi ned limit, the CIU generates a “PIG Passed” signal. The Roxar PIG detector is mounted in a straight pipeline section, normally aft er the PIG xxxxxxxxxxxx “FRICTION BETWEEN THE PIG AND THE PIPE GENERATES A CHAR- ACTERISTIC NOISE... THAT CAN BE INTER- PRETED TO GAIN MORE KNOWLEDGE ON THE SITUATION INSIDE THE PIPE.” ROXAR PDS IS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PIPELINE INTEGRITY APPLICATIONS. IT ALLOWS OPERATORS TO DO THE FOLLOWING: • Enable control over the travel of the PIG through the PIG loop. • Generate information if the PIG successfully passed problem areas. • Enable operators to gain knowledge of the large obstacles within the PIG loop. THE ROXAR PDS IS AN ACOUSTIC TYPE DEVICE WHICH HAS A NUMBER OF BENEFITS: • Any type of PIG can be detected in both directions. • It generates accurate timings at which a PIG passes a given point. • There are no mechanical moving parts resulting in low maintenance. • It provides indications on the amount of pipeline debris pushed away by a PIG. • It is easy to retrofit for existing installations with no need for modifications to the piping or PIG. • It is a compact and low weight device. • Non-intrusive design benefits include: o No wetted parts o No pipe pressure drop o Easy to install (no tappings or welding required) o No shutdown required for installation launcher and before the PIG receiver. Excessive levels of unwanted noise may in the worst case scenario compromise the measurement principle. Care should be taken to avoid installation near valves, or close to the PIG receiver/launcher. Emerson’s Roxar PDSAPRIL 2019 SPECIAL REPORT – LAST WORD 46 oilandgasmiddleeast.com DRONE INSPECTION Rabih Bou Rashid, managing director at Falcon Eye Drones, on using drone technology for inspection Traditional methods of asset inspection have become less relevant in the mod- ern world as they are not only costly and time-consuming, but also represent a huge amount of risk for people involved. Aware of these risks, organisations will take several steps to improve inspection conditions, but they will rarely consider drones as an alternative. Several industries already use drones, including surveying, aerial photography, deliveries, asset inspec- tions and more. Drones can collect accurate inspection data in shorter periods of time without risking people’s lives. Various types of applications can be used by different industry players in the GCC and will vary depending on the sector, while energy, con- struction, real estate, oil and gas, and other similar industries can use similar applica- tions to carry out surveys. While the GCC region is already growing rapidly and is transforming into a global trade hub, certain industries are performing at different rates across different countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is strongly developing its renewable energy sector, UAE is well known as a global logistics hub, other GCC countries play equally important roles as hubs across various industries. Some of the strong performing sectors in the GCC are energy and power, real estate, transport, and logistics amongst others. According to APICORP, the GCC represents 43%, or 157 Gigawatts (GW), of current MENA pow- er-generating capacity. Despite existing capacity, GCC countries will require $81bn for the addition of 62 GW of generating capacity and another $50bn for trans- mission and distribution in the next five years. The real estate sector is now going through a recovery cycle in the GCC and will continue growing in the upcoming few years reconfirming real estate as a staple of GCC growth. Region’s building, infrastructure, and energy markets are expected to increase to $140.5bn in 2019, compared to $125bn in 2018. For these industries to continue soaring, disruptive technologies, such as drones, are paramount. There are several reasons why drones can make surveying of assets more efficient and they mainly focus on reduced risk, cost, project delivery time spans, better data collection capabilities and flexibility, among others. When it comes to safety, drones can inspect complex structures including safety critical facilities like oil and gas refineries, flare stacks and pipelines without the need for workers to physically access potentially hasardous environments. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are equipped with obstacle avoidance capabilities and can reach some locations that are inaccessible to humans. They are also able to collect high-resolu- tion data, or even 4K quality videos, and detect cracks, damage, misplaced wires and other defects at elevations and angles that humans cannot reach. This allows for the collection of more comprehensive data without exposing the inspection team to unnecessary risk. Deployment of drones at almost any site doesn’t take a lot of time and can be done in minutes. Drones can complete inspec- tion of the asset in under 30 minutes and time element is often very important when it comes to project launch and handover deadlines. Speedy drone deployment capa- bilities can also play an instrumental role in emergency situations. While drones are easy to deploy and operate, they can also fly at high or low altitudes adding flexibility feature to the speed they offer and can satisfy a wide variety of inspection needs. Drones can take photos, capture video, take thermal images, transmit data, and conduct other operations while collecting and sharing information that would take days to collect using conventional means. Last but not least, a drone has little to no operational downtime. When inspec- tions are being conducted by drones there is no need to shut down equipment or systems to avoid damage or injuries to the inspection personnel. In addition, drones can safely inspect complex areas, such as wind turbines, radars, communication towers, and other infrastructure while they are operating. Drones can make a significant contribu- tion to the inspection industry and while they are already widely employed globally, GCC is taking steps today to add drones to its arsenal of innovations. The more frequently we use drones and explore this technology, more knowledge and efficiency in this field we will be able to acquire. Rabih Bou Rashid, managing director at Falcon Eye DronesDownload the new Interface White Paper at interface.magnetrol.com ©2019 Magnetrol International 4 types of interface. 16 process streams. 150,000 barrels per day. Zero margin for error. Reliable interface level measurement keeps pro- duction flowing. If water and oil are not separated effectively, you face processing problems, equip- ment failures, production loss, fines and shutdowns. That’s why Magnetrol® matters. Our technologies are proven to accurately measure total level and emulsion layers, from upstream gun barrel tanks to downstream boots. So you get effective separa- tion and true process optimization. That’s critical. Because when it comes to interface, level matters. This is why level matters.48 S0GAT PREVIEW oilandgasmiddleeast.com APRIL 2019 SOUR GAS, SWEET OPPORTUNITIES Nick Coles, conference director at Dome exhibitions, talks about developments in sour gas ahead of SOGAT 2019 W ith CAPEX globally expected to reach around $1.13trn by 2025, the future looks bright for natural gas projects.However up to a third of the world’s natural gas reserves contain high concentrations of sour and contaminated gas, with the Middle East a region where such fields are prevalent. In the UAE, which holds the world’s fifth largest gas reserves, approximately 214trn cubic feet , a large proportion is sour and requires considerable treatment before being suitable for use. Consequently, recent announcements from ADNOC and its ambitious inte- grated gas strategy, including its partner- ships with Eni, Wintershall and OMV in the Ghasha ultra-sour gas concession and Total in the Ruwais Diyab conces- sion, and their further intentions to de- velop Bab and Bu Hasa within the $20bn sour gas field development not only indi- cate the importance of sour hydrocarbon and unconventional field development, but also add to the strategy to make the UAE gas self-sufficient and ultimately a net gas exporter by 2025. This growth will also include the development of the second phase of AD- NOC LNG ‘s IGD project to add 245mn cfd of associated gas in addition to ADNOC awarding Occidental Onshore Block 3 for exploration and subsequent processing. Block 3 is adjacent to the Shah, Asab Haliba and Sahl fields and has very promising potential Sour field developments are also ongo- ing in KSA, Oman and Kuwait for similar reasons, and these plans and technical experiences will be incorporated in the various presentations in the SOGAT 2019 conference. A new novel technol- ogy approach to address ultra sour fields will be presented using a hybrid process with state of the art H2S removal mem- branes to perform separation of H2S upstream followed by small amine and claus plants. This could be an ideal solu- tion where unique membranes have abil- ity to withstand high H2S environments without altering their performance. These membranes will separate H2S enriched stream which is ideal for rein- jection or potentially used for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). The membranes retain maximum hydrocarbons in the high-pressure product gas which very valuable in gas production. Low pres- sure H2S rich stream is water dry and can be re-injected directly. It is well known that oil flow is cash flow and Schlumberger will present their findings in bringing sour oil to production more quickly with a new, modular, transportable, upgradeable and connectable system that performed in record times in the Far East and Kurd- istan. In both cases, the facilities quickly generated positive cash flow to finance and sustain ongoing and upcoming field development and enhanced reservoir knowledge to optimise future field de- velopment . Other new developments include a presentation from INEOS on a novel technology which can greatly reduce amine plants losses experienced through vaporisation. Operational excel- lence in the sulphur recovery units is the theme of a presentation from Aspentech showing benefits for the refining and petrochemical sectors with the unified sulphur business process for improved operation and maximisation of technol- ogy can be achieved by implementing various novel digital technologies like adaptive process control technology, process simulation and process historian for all the units in the sulphur recovery systems including sour water strippers and amine treatment units . However amines and the widespread use of chemicals also bring downstream operating challenges which negatively impact plant reliability and availability. There will be a presentation on a new proprietary gas processing technology that provides a reliable, low-mainte- nance alternative to chemical based technologies, providing safety, sustain- ability and economic benefits. ADNOC Gas Processing will also pre- sent their views within the conference programme on innovative alternatives to claus with tail gas treatment pro- cessing technology for high H2S fields, which is an energy intensive process, with alternative routes for H2S decom- position as well as developing value added products, primarily hydrogen. This new technology theme will continue in the associated exhibition with CSI Ametek , who will display their new ICOn degassing technology which reduces personnel exposure to H2S in sulphur storage and handling in addition to many other benefits. Dr. Adel bin Subaih, VP of undeveloped reservoirs at ADNOC, gives a speech at SOGAT 2018WEDNESDAY 18th SEPTEMBER 2019 Dubai, UAE SAVE THE DATE! 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