Industrial Fluid Systems in Oil and Gas

When you need to transport process fluid within specified conditions, it's essential to have properly installed industrial fluid systems. In the oil and gas industry, the raw and refined fluid needs to be transported under controlled temperature and pressure conditions. The industrial fluid system will regulate and control the fluid flow through facilities for processing, refinement, and production phases.

The very nature of the fluid system is also one of the major pain-point for industries. Working with pressurized fluids can result in leaks, contamination, corrosion, and system failure when installation specifications haven’t been prioritized. In addition, the lack of quality parts, non-representative samples, and poor system assembly is a safety risk to the entire refinery. So today, we will explore these key installation issues and their solutions when assembling an industrial fluid system in the oil and gas industry.  

Industrial Fluid System In the Oil and Gas Industry: Safety First

Industrial fluid systems in the oil and gas industry can be extensive, starting at remote extraction locations and running through wells to the refining facility. Installing and maintaining this vast system layout is a challenge, with potential chances of leaks and component failure in a highly pressurized system. When working with raw fluids, the chance of clogging, corrosion, and contamination is also present. These potential points of failure are risks to system safety and can result in system downtime and production loss.

An ideal industrial fluid system in an oil and gas refinery will require the use of high-quality grab sample stations,  seal support systems, a process fluid delivery system, and analytical instrumentation. Often, the challenges of installation of these systems come from miscommunication during assembly, unnecessary complexity, incompatible component metallurgy, and incorrect analysis of process conditions. A quality control approach to these issues is required to achieve the system's efficacy. 

Fluid System Installation And Maintenance: Things To Note 

For efficient installation of the industrial fluid system in the oil and gas industry, these are the strategies to note, include:

High-quality components are essential when building an industrial fluid system. Therefore, when selecting components such as valves, fittings, or tubings, it is crucial to examine:

• The material compatibility with the process fluid.
• The manufacturer’s specification of the component against the process condition (i.e., temperature and pressure limits).
• Standardization is important. It is recommended to not intermix/interchange tube fitting components, as there is no standard for tube fittings.

2. A simplified system design  

An overcomplicated design only increases the risk of failure and complicates the troubleshooting process. A simplified design may look like:

• Using bent tubing instead of multiple fittings.  
• Using manifolds and weldments to reduce excess routing and potential leak points.
• A centralized control system for easy troubleshooting.

A custom fluid system assembly allows you to optimize the design to fit your operating condition with an ideal assembly plan and high-quality components. 

Occasionally, the installation team forgets to account for the additional forces that arise from the fluid flow and other mechanical equipment. This includes:

• Vibration from pumps and motors.
• Pressure wave problem in the piping system.

The fluid system components must have proper support, so they don’t fail due to fatigue or strain. The system's hoses, tubes, and seals must be examined periodically for any compromises.

Identify Process Requirements And Design Efficient Fluid Systems

To achieve all the installation needs mentioned above, it is crucial that you are well aware of your process conditions and identify the issues early in the process. For this, you can work with your local fluid system expert, who can help you understand your fluid, fluid system, and fluid system design. Swagelok can help with:

1. Setting up the grab sampling station: The sample station complies with all pressure, temperature, and flow control requirements, providing a more representative sample. Analysis of this sample is important for selecting the correct component and design plan that meets safety standards.
2. Installing/Optimizing the seal support system: Depending on the pressure and temperature, vibration and strain, and fluid condition, it is possible to devise the ideal mechanical seal support plan to enhance the reliability and integrity of the fluid system. 
3. Designing a gas distribution system: A custom gas distribution system provides controlled inflow and outflow with continual supply. This is ideal for improving performance and minimizing downtime in refineries.  
4. Supplying high-quality components: High-quality valves, pressure controllers, tubings, and hoses that meet the specifications are key to the leak-free functioning of the industrial fluid systems in the oil and gas industry. 

With a wide range of solutions from Swagelok, your oil and gas facility is guaranteed to have efficiency and productivity. 

To find out more about how Swagelok Northern California can help enhance the performance of your industrial fluid systems in oil and gas refineries, contact our team today by calling 510-933-6200.

About Morgan Zealear | Product Engineer, Assembly Services

Morgan holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of California at Santa Barbara. He is certified in Section IX, Grab Sample Panel Configuration and Mechanical Efficiency Program Specification (API 682), and he is well versed in B31.3 Process Piping Code. Before joining Swagelok Northern, he was a manufacturing engineer at Sierra Instruments, primarily focused on capillary thermal meters for the semiconductor industry (ASML).