Emerson’s new ultrasonic flow meters improve accuracy

Emerson Process Management has introduced new Daniel multi-path gas and liquid ultrasonic meters that feature a next-generation electronics platform.

The accuracy, line size breadth, and flexibility make the new JuniorSonic one-path (3411) or two-path (3412), and SeniorSonic four-path (3414) gas ultrasonic meters ideal for a number of flow measurement applications. In addition, the new four-path (3814) liquid ultrasonic meter expands on the functionality and performance of its predecessor, the 3804 liquid ultrasonic meter, to offer improved reliability for custody transfer applications.

With faster flow sampling rates, the new electronics platform significantly increases the data set used to calculate average velocity, allowing rapid recognition of changing flow dynamics. Users will have access to high-volume data capture as well as detailed flow parameters, including pressure, temperature, and gas composition, allowing the meter to act as a redundant flow computer.

Improved calculations for auditing or invoice resolution are enabled by the electronics’ fast delivery of key data from the meter’s audit trail. The audit trail complies with American Petroleum Institute Standard 21.1, and is supported by a standard 128 MB non-volatile memory. Access to alarms, events and configuration changes is provided in a matter of seconds.

Additionally, the meters’ electronics feature a compact circuit board for increased reliability and maintainability, simplifying field removal and reinstallation. The electronics retrofit Daniel legacy ultrasonic meters and are expandable, enabling future upgrades to help meet changing customer needs. The electronics support remote access as well as true 100BaseT Fast Ethernet connectivity to facilitate enterprise-wide communication and integration.

To further improve reliability and uptime, each Daniel gas ultrasonic meter is supplied with new, rugged T-20 Series transducers that are engineered for wet, rich and/or dirty gas applications.  The transducers facilitate troubleshooting by enabling operators to quickly detect and isolate problems, preventing unnecessary depressurization of the meter.

The new Daniel gas and liquid ultrasonic meters are also equipped with an updated version of MeterLink (v1.10), a configuration and diagnostic software that utilizes an intuitive interface to improve overall functionality and ease of use.  MeterLink displays abnormal flow profiles, upstream blockage, deposit build-up within the meter, and the existence of liquid hydrocarbon in gas.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By Tolfem Investments Limited, online.

South Sudan rebels seize state capital, urge oil shutdown

South Sudanese rebels seized the capital of oil-rich Unity state, demanding companies in government-held territory suspend crude production and evacuate staff within a week.

Rebels allied with former Vice President Riek Machar took control of Bentiu today after battling government forces, Lul Ruai Koang, a spokesman for the insurgents, said in an emailed statement. South Sudan’s Defense Minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk, said rebels had “dislodged” government troops in the town.

The insurgents urge “all oil companies still operating in government controlled areas to immediately embark on gradual and voluntary closure of oil production,” Koang said. “Failure to comply with this request, the oil companies risk forced oil shutdown and the safety of their staff.”

South Sudan’s oil output has fallen by about a third since fighting erupted on Dec. 15 between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Machar. The country is currently producing about 160,000 bpd from Upper Nile, the only state still pumping crude.

Violence has left thousands of people dead and forced more than a million to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. Machar in a March 27 interview vowed to seize oil fields in Upper Nile in a bid to starve the military of revenue.

“The recapturing of Bentiu marks the first phase of liberation of oil fields” controlled by the government, Koang said in the statement.

About 4,000 people have arrived at the UN’s base in Bentiu over the past two days, seeking shelter from fighting, Joseph Contreras, acting spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission to the country, said today from the national capital, Juba.

Oil production in Unity state, estimated at about 50,000 bpd before it was suspended in December, is due to resume by July, the Petroleum Ministry said last week. A 3,000 bpd diesel refinery is due to be inaugurated near Bentiu at the same time.

Rebels attacked a refinery north of Bentiu yesterday, wounding foreign employees, Defense Minister Juuk said by phone from Juba. UN peacekeepers evacuated 10 workers from the Russian company Safinat, five of whom had sustained injuries, Contreras said.

“They damaged one of the crude oil tankers and they took a car,” Juuk said. The army has regained control of the facility and will retake Bentiu town from the insurgents, he said.

China National Petroleum Corp., India’s Oil & Natural Gas Corp. and Petroliam Nasional Bhd., are the main producers of South Sudan’s oil.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By Tolfem Investments Limited, online.

Antero Resources tumbles after slashing Utica gas estimate

Antero Resources Corp. fell the most ever after cutting its production estimate for a section of its Utica shale holdings.

Antero dropped 3.8% to $60.81 at 11:25 a.m. in New York. The shares earlier tumbled as much as 11%, the most intraday since Oct. 10. Prior to today, shares gained 44% since the Denver based-company’s public offering on Oct. 9.

Antero reduced its estimate for how much gas one section of its Utica holdings will yield by 34%, according to a statement today. Another section’s production forecast was cut by 31%. The company’s oil and gas holdings are located in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Antero has 12 buy recommendations and five holds from analysts, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The company spent $2.1 bn to find and develop new fields in 2013 and has untapped reserves large enough to sustain output for four decades.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By Tolfem Investments Limited, online.