Radar level measurement provides offshore solution

An Able Instruments and Controls product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 6, 2004

When Foster Wheeler won a contract for construction of a gas-condensate receipt and separation module, it approached Able for assistance with its level measurement requirements.

The Goldeneye gas condensate field, located in the Outer Moray Firth, some 100km North East of St Fergus Gas Terminal in Scotland, was discovered in October 1996.

Goldeneye is operated by Shell UK on behalf of coventures, Esso Exploration and Production UK, Paladin Resources and Centrica Engergy.

The field lacked a suitable gas processing infrastructure and posed risks in terms of economics, safety and environmental impact.

However, the field's relatively close proximity to the St Fergus shore based processing facility, enabled processing to be rerouted and accomplished on-shore.

Goldeneye can, therefore, boast the longest tie-back to shore on the UK continental shelf and the world's longest tie-back for such a rich gas.

The St Fergus Plant needed a complete new gas processing module, including facilities for separation of multiphase fluid, condensate separation, MEG recovery and export, waste water disposal, condensate stabilisation, off gas compression, molecular sieve dryers, processing facilities and NGL's condensate export.

Foster Wheeler UK was awarded the GBP 60 million contract for construction of the gas-condensate receipt and separation module and approached Able for assistance with the project's level measurement requirements.

This included glycol tank level gauging, glycol sump level measurement, condensate sump drum level measurement and hot oil level measurement using both Able's magnetic level and radar level gauging systems.

Level displacers were initially considered, but due to the overall height of the glycol tanks and their varying composition, it was decided that radar was the best solution.

As radar level measurement is not a common measurement on the St Fergus site, Foster Wheeler issued requisitions to trusted radar level manufacturers, with Able being selected.

Of the eight purchased, two are connected to the Goldeneye ESD system, responsible for plant safety, the others are used for monitoring and process control.

The location is coastal, therefore all equipment had to be suitable for operation in a corrosive, salt laden, marine environment.

As there were few people experienced with radar transmitters on site, training programmes were devised to provide the necessary knowledge.

Robert Conn, Foster Wheeler's Lead Instrument Engineer on the project commented: "Installation of the radar and magnetic level devices was very straightforward".

"Visits from Able's engineer provided a very short commissioning period and hands-on training on the radar gauges".

"Because the radar gauges are relatively immune to process conditions, there will be less need to recalibrate these items than the common density-dependant devices".

"Overall we are very impressed by the instrumentation and support given by Able".