Pumps & controls
Upstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry use pumps and control systems for production. Pumping facilities are usually needed in the oil and gas industry for pumping crude oil, refinery waste waters, drilling mud, catalyst slurries, and corrosion inhibitor among others. Control instruments such as control valves are also important in checking fluid flow. The array of application of these pumps and controls stresses the difference they make in the oil and gas industry.
Pump manufacturers have made some forward advancement both in the type of pumps they make and their presentation. For instance, there has been a growing trend of manufacturers sending a group of experts who will help with designing of a tailor made pump. This ensures that each application has a pump that suits its functions and complexities. The overall outcome of such improvements in the industry includes improvement in energy consumption levels, safety and maintenance costs. The other advantages of this new tendency are higher profits and production.
Other than the obvious qualities, there are certain attributes that one should look out for in a pump. Erosion tolerance is an important aspect that needs to be considered particularly in pumps that carry solids such as sand. The pumps should also be able to deliver stable fluid flow. This stability should always be there across wide pressure intervals. Pumps intended for oil and water mixture should be able to safely transport products with low shear. This helps in avoiding emulsification.
Control technologies have been advanced to ensure that monitoring can be done remotely to avoid certain obvious exposure hazards. There are control instruments available for downstream, upstream and midstream markets. One needs to ensure that the manufacturer who provides their pump and control facilities will be able to check equipment issues and monitor the equipment.