ProAnalysis - Supplier of Oil-in-Water Monitoring Solutions

ProAnalysis is a supplier of oil in water monitoring solutions, both for environmental monitoring and produced water treatment process monitoring. The Argus technology introduces new generation on-line oil-in-water monitors, reducing or eliminating the need for the non-efficient and expensive activity of manual water sampling, and paving the way for advanced multipoint water treatment process monitoring.

The key component of the Argus system is the on-line in-line oil-in-water analyser, which provides a continuous stream of real-time oil-in-water data. ProAnalysis has developed two products from the Argus technology base: Argus Enviroment and Argus Process.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING USING LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE

The Argus technology is based on the measurement principle of (laser-induced) fluorescence (LIF). A laser, developed uniquely for the sensor, emits ultraviolet light directly into the process line by fibre optics. The laser light interacts with crude oil and fluorescence is emitted, collected, spectrally and temporally filtered and finally accurately quantified by a light sensor. The technology has several significant advantages:

• Established and proven measurement principle
• Stable and robust under harsh conditions – well suited for an offshore environment
• Accurate quantification of dispersed oil through the measurement of aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – even at sub-ppm levels

INLINE MEASUREMENTS WITH LASER-BASED AUTOMATED MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

The principal challenge with an optical sensor is related to maintenance of the process interface (optical window). ProAnalysis’ proprietary Argus technology enables low-maintenance operation due to the unique properties of high-power laser-based automatic cleaning of the optical fibres:

• Enables inline measurements: the probe is installed through a single flange, avoiding complex and expensive bypass solutions
• Removes oil, wax, scale and biofilm from the inline probe
• A non-mechanical system (no moving parts)
• A non-chemical system (no consumables)
• Enables multipoint measurements (at multiple points in the water treatment process)

OIL TO SEA EMISSIONS MONITORING

Argus Environment reduces or eliminates the need for manual sampling and laboratory analysis by continuously monitoring emissions of oil to sea, providing operators with oil-in-water concentrations (mg/l, ppm) continuously and real-time. This enables operators to comply with environmental regulations and achieve mandated HSE goals for the reduction in oil in water emissions.

Benefits:

• Accurate quantification of dispersed oil-in-water
• Immediate alarm when discharges exceed a defined limit
• Automated system, reducing or eliminating the costs of manual sampling and laboratory analysis, giving significant cost reductions
• Reduced risk of significant discharge events, negative environmental impacts and potentially large costs
• Inline measurements; the inline probe is installed through a single flange, avoiding complex and expensive bypass solutions and high installation costs
• Low manual maintenance requirements due to automatic laser-based probe cleaning
• Integrated control software (Argus Manager), incorporating data logging and reporting modules, facilitating easy reporting of historic data
• Embedded CPU, ready for remote operations, communications through Ethernet or serial (modbus) interfaces (eField/iField ready)

MONITORING OF THE COMPLETE PRODUCED WATER TREATMENT PROCESS

Argus Process is a complete system for advanced monitoring of the produced water treatment process. Continuous, real-time oil-in-water data from single or multiple measuring points (at different stages of the process) give operators unique, effective process control, and the opportunity to regulate and optimise the water treatment process instantly.

The features of measurement directly in the produced water pipeline (in-line), and operations at high temperatures and pressures make advanced process monitoring possible. This represents a completely new application for oil-in-water monitoring and a breakthrough in produced water treatment. The first deliveries of Argus Process were made in 2006.

Benefits:

• Effective control of the produced water treatment system by continuously monitoring each stage of the process
• Immediate action in the case of unwanted events in the water treatment process
• Optimisation of the water treatment process
• Increased oil production wherever the production is bottlenecked by the water treatment system
• Reduced operating costs through improved water management
• Elimination of manual sampling for process control, resulting in significant cost reductions
• Full integration with industry-standard control systems

Argus has been thoroughly tested at several North Sea oil and gas fields, and first commercial deliveries were made in 2005 and 2006.