The container ship Wes Amelie has received fuel through the first ship-to-ship operation involving Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – marking an important step in an industry constantly innovating to improve oil and gas transportation.
Energy on the go
Effective transportation of oil and gas enables fuel delivery across the globe. This can happen through:
- Pipelines – used to transport fuel from wells to refineries and storage facilities. While pipelines cost time and money to set up, they are the most efficient mode of transporting oil across land
- Marine vessels – vessels and barges transport petroleum and natural gas. Marine vessels can carry large quantities of fuel and tankers are the only practical way to move crude oil across oceans
- Rail cars – oil and gas is loaded onto railway tank cars and moved by train to refineries. Though each rail car holds a lot less oil than a marine vessel, multiple tank cars can still move large volumes to areas where pipelines have not been set up
- Trucks – usually carrying smaller capacities of oil and gas, tank trucks transport refined fuel to a fuelling station or straight to the consumer
High-speed innovation
Operators are utilising new technologies to improve the transportation of oil and gas. For example, geographic Information System (GIS) technology is helping companies determine the best route for pipelines, evaluating variables such as social and environmental impact and geological risks. Pipelines are also benefitting from specialised coatings, offering protection against extra corrosion and abrasion often caused by materials in the soil.
Marine vessels are instead adapting to the rapid rise in LNG production. Barges have been retrofitted with cooling facilities to maintain low temperatures and ensure natural gas keeps a liquid form. Vessels have also increasingly used LNG as a fuel source, necessitating new fuelling techniques such as Wes Amelie’s ship-to-ship operation.
Flaring control
With more demand on fossil fuels, there will be a higher emphasis on transporting oil and gas. Loading oil and gas onto modes of transport can lead to the release of flammable vapours. Should a fire occur, a flame can flash back into the gas line and potentially cause a serious incident. One method of preventing flashback is to monitor the gas flow reaching flare stacks during loading and storing of fossil fuels.
Our FGM 160 Flare Gas Meter delivers cost saving and regulatory compliance benefits. It enables accurate measurement at extended high and low temperatures, in large pipe diameters and with high levels of CO2 or hydrogen. Using ultrasonic technology and patented measurement techniques, Fluenta is recognised globally for its accuracy and reliability.
For more information on Fluenta’s FGM 160 Flare Gas Meter, click here.
