Tracerco Diagnostics™ FMI (Flooded Member Inspection) technology has become the industries number one choice for inspecting platform members for water ingress. Over recent years we have seen reduced time for inspection campaigns in order to meet the new financial demands expected from the Oil and Gas Industry. At Tracerco we continue to put an emphasis on successful initial inspections, ensuring that there are no unnecessary delays. This ensures that inspections are right first time and reduces the risk of far greater financial impact which can be associated with repeat inspections, or remedial work that may not even be required.

The FMI system can measure the degree of water ingress into platform structural members indicative of through wall defects without any need to remove marine growth or specialist coatings. It is operable as a simple attachment to any Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) or can be manually deployed by a suitably trained diver. A highly focused beam of gamma radiation and an ultra-sensitive detector unit are mounted on opposite forks of a variable yoke system and positioned across the diameter of the member under inspection. The transmitted radiation intensity is measured and compared to the intensity expected for a dry member based upon the particular member’s diameter, wall thickness and system calibration. Water inside the member will result in a decrease in the expected “dry member” transmitted signal. Each response is evaluated by our bespoke software and trained Offshore Technicians to provide a full report of platform jacket integrity.

Topics: Subsea Technology, Subsea Technologies, Subsea, FMI, FMD, Flooded Memeber Inspection, Platform Members, Platform Memeber Integrity, Platform Structural Members, Subsea Inspection, Subsea Integrity, Water Ingress

Tru-Scan™ is used by refineries to define foam profiles and verify level detection devices in their coke drums. A Tru-Scan™ can determine the difference in vapour density throughout a typical drum cycle.

In this latest blog, Tracerco, part of Johnson Matthey Plc, discusses how a Tru-Scan™ can be a powerful tool for gathering much needed information to optimise a coke drum cycle.

Topics: Gamma Scanning, Tru-Scan, coke buildup, coke deposits, gamma scan, level detection devices, coke drum cycle, coke drum optimization, coke drum, foam profile, coker optimization, coker units, delayed coke drum

The loss of catalyst through reactor or regenerator cyclones is a fairly common problem. Identifying the reason for the loss is often difficult.

In this latest blog, Tracerco, part of Johnson Matthey Plc, discusses how a Tru-Scan™ can be a powerful tool for gathering much needed information regarding the loss of catalyst.

Topics: Gamma Scanning, Tru-Scan, fcc unit, fcc, fcc diagnostics, fccu process, fccu studies, cracking unit, fcc troubleshooting, fcc units, fcc unit process, fluid catalytic cracking diagnostics, fluid catalytic cracking services, fluid catalytic cracking unit, Catalytic cracking, fcc cracking, reactor cyclone, gamma scan, fcc additives, fcc services, reactor distributor, riser reactor, fcc reactor, reactor riser, reactor stripper, regenerator cyclone, catalyst loss, Intercat, fcc addition systems

Flowrate and leak testing applications, pipe scanning and meter proving services are fast, accurate and cost-effective methods to determine the flow of vapour, carryover of liquid, build-up of sludge and fouling materials in piping, as well as the calibration of flow meters.

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Topics: process systems, Process Diagnostics, process diagnostics technologies, tracerco diagnostics, flare gas flow meter, flare gas meter, gas flow meter proving, Flow Study, flowrate, flare study, flare flow measurement, flare system tracers, gas flow meter prover, flare flow, flare gas flow measurement, excessive flare flow, flare flow meter, flare gas measurement, flare flowrate data, flare lines, Process Diagnostics Technology, process diagnostics systems, flare measurement, flare gas meters, gas meter proving techniques

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The verification of flare gas flow rates is an ongoing issue for many hydrocarbon producers globally, with strict environmental legislation continuing to impact oil or chemical processes. In this blog post we will review how the use of a Tracerco Diagnostics™ Flow Study can allow you to verify and calibrate flare flow meters, and locate the source of any fugitive flare flow, ensuring effective environmental reporting, as well as process optimisation and reduced downtime.

Topics: Process Diagnostics, flare gas flow meter, gas flow meter proving, flowrate, flare study, flare system tracers, flare flow, environmental reporting, flare gas flow measurement, excessive flare flow, fugitive flare flow, verify flow meters, flare flow meter, flow rate calculations, calibrate flow meters, Process Diagnostics Technology, flare measurement, flare gas meters

NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) or TENORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) is a known problem and is likely to be present on every Oil and Gas facility. Concluding that NORM will not be an issue during decommissioning because it has not presented during production or maintenance shutdowns, could lead to substantial delays and unpredicted significant costs. If there is a known history of NORM, it is likely that many more locations will be contaminated that have not previously been identified. Flushing and cleaning will not remove all contamination.

Topics: Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, NORM Detection, NORM, NORM Management, Decommissioning, Radiation Waste Adviser, TENORM, Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection Adviser

Scanning technology can provide a valuable insight when critical process equipment is experiencing problems and producing off-spec product. Based on the results provided, the best course of action to correct the problem can be identified in the least amount of time in order to save valuable process system downtime.

Topics: Process Diagnostics, Tru-Scan, Tray Damage, tower scan, process diagnostics technologies, tower scanning, trayed columns, flooded trays, beer column, process equipment, fouled trays, Process Diagnostics Technology, process diagnostics systems, tray fouling, mechanical integrity

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It is common in many oil refineries, chemical, ethanol and ammonia plants, for critical process equipment to experience problems. Issues in trayed towers such as internal tray damage, missing trays, plugged downcomers and tray foaming can all lead to off-spec production and in some cases, un-anticipated shutdowns. Scanning technology can help you avoid these scenarios by providing you with an assessment of your operating conditions, whilst your process equipment remains online. In this blog post we will feature the top three questions we are asked with regard to Trayed Towers and our Tru-Scan™ technology. 

Topics: Process Diagnostics, Gamma Scanning, Tru-Scan, Tray Damage, FrothView, tower scan, tower scanning, tower gamma scan, flooded trays, process equipment, Tray weeping, tray fouling, mechanical integrity

Every refinery invests a tremendous amount of time and money in planning a unit turnaround. Scheduling of the tasks, manpower and equipment has to be detailed and thorough. In order to plan, information is needed about the process system so that critical tasks can be planned to meet turnaround time constraints. Some of this condition-based information is gathered using tools such as gamma scans, radiography, ultrasonic probes, vibration monitors, acoustic sensors, and other non-destructive techniques whilst the process is still operating. It is vital to be aware of any internal damage to distillation columns, heat exchangers, reactors, and other vessels to avoid surprises that can disrupt the turnaround schedule. Each day of downtime is a day of lost production, so it is critical that a turnaround is not extended due to unexpected repair work.

Topics: process vessels, Process Diagnostics, process diagnostics technologies, tracerco diagnostics, refractory depth, shutdown planning, refractory loss, process pipes, coke buildup, InDepth, turnaround schedules, refractory measurements, shutdowns, turnarounds, refractory lined pipes, coke deposits, Process Diagnostics Technology, turnaround planning, refractory lined vessels

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Offshore Northern Seas or ONS as it's more commonly known in Stavanger is one of my personal favourite events in the calendar. Occurring every two years, ONS is a must attend for anyone working in the oil industry in Europe and beyond. The last time I visited I could not help but be impressed by the spirit of innovation and the positive buzz around Stavanger for the duration of the show. Indeed, it is so popular that many locals leave the city for vacations and rent out their houses to visiting oil professionals in order to accommodate all the exhibitors and delegates who travel to the city for the show.

This year's event does not show any signs of being hit by the depressed oil price with 1,392 exhibitors confirmed and an additional conference arena being added this year. So why is it that the world's oil and gas industry home in on this event as a must attend in the calendar? Here are four reasons it should be on your agenda.

Topics: oil & gas, Events, Upstream