SWITCHING ON TO
ELECTRIC CONTROL VALVES’ POTENTIAL M
any wellheads are located in very remote sites, many of which lack both compressed air and power, so controls have historically been limited to simple pneumatic systems utilising pressurised natural gas as a motive force. While the controls do function their capabilities are quite limited and the natural gas-operated transmitters, positioners, controllers and control valves continually vent methane to the atmosphere. The pneumatic instruments offer virtually no means for remote monitoring or control and are also prone to maintenance problems that can rapidly escalate, depending on the quality of the gas. These and other issues can be addressed by applying recent advances in control valve technology.
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Scott Losing and Andrew Prusha, Emerson, Emer USA, explain how electric control valve drives are helping operators address methane emission regulations and adjust gas flow to maximise production.
