SYNOPSIS

Liquid contamination in natural gas processing systems, transmission pipelines and compressors is a critical but often underestimated issue, impacting plant reliability, availability and safety. Despite industry efforts to maintain dry gas conditions, traditional monitoring methods frequently fail to detect the presence of liquids, leading to increased risks of internal corrosion, compressor failures, and costly downtime. Even small volumes of liquid can mix with contaminants accelerating pipeline degradation and significantly reducing equipment lifespan.

This workshop presents a proactive approach to addressing liquid contamination risks by integrating real-time visual monitoring into pipeline integrity management. While conventional detection techniques, such gas analysers, provide indirect indicators of potential liquid ingress, they cannot confirm the presence or severity of contamination. By incorporating advanced visual monitoring technology, such as the LineVu system, operators gain direct insight into liquid carryover events, enabling early intervention before significant damage occurs.

Unlike traditional monitoring methods, which rely on inference and reactive maintenance, real-time visual surveillance provides a direct, continuous assessment of gas conditions. This approach is particularly crucial for compressor protection, as liquids can cause mechanical damage, efficiency losses, and increased operational costs. Additionally, by mitigating the risks associated with liquid accumulation, operators can significantly reduce internal corrosion—a leading cause of pipeline failures.

The impact of this approach extends beyond risk mitigation. By integrating real-time visual monitoring with existing pipeline integrity programmes, operators can optimise maintenance schedules, improve compressor efficiency, and ensure compliance with gas quality standards. This paper advocates for a shift towards proactive, data-driven liquid management, where advanced detection technologies play a central role in maintaining safe and efficient gas transmission networks.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Mr. Paul Stockwell
Managing Director, Process Vision

With over 40 years of experience in oil and gas systems, Paul was instrumental in the introduction of laser absorption spectroscopy using tunable diode lasers for natural gas measurements assisting in the development of the first TDL system for natural gas which has now become the industry-standard method for moisture measurement in Natural Gas. With a long history of dewpoint measurement systems, in 1991, Paul Stockwell created International Moisture Analysers (IMA) with Business Partner David Parker. From the outset, the company intended to have the ability to look at multi-species analysis, and Paul served on working parties for the National Physical Laboratory in the UK for the improvement of moisture measurement. Paul developed a dewpoint measurement training program for process engineers covering hygrometry and a variety of techniques for measurement engineers.

As a Managing Director for 34 years, Paul has gained insight into the safety and cost impacts of processes and their problem areas.

The development of LineVu, a permanent monitor for gas/liquid separator efficiency, has revealed some surprises and shown that we still do not know everything about hydrocarbon dewpoint and what is going on in gas systems. In 2017 Paul led the de-merger of IMA to form Process Vision. Paul is named inventor on 23 granted patents, with 10 pending patents, and firmly believes that a thorough understanding gained through imaging can make a significant difference to the oil and gas industry.

Paul now sits on two working groups for GPA Midstream and has presented over 30 papers at industrial conferences.