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The impact of oil and gas activities continues to evolve, as does the community, particularly in areas of environmental concerns. Governing bodies continue to adjust and revise their regulations accordingly. This has created an opportunity to develop new technology that is more efficient and reduces emissions.
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is the regulatory body that oversees and sets all policies that govern Alberta’s oil and gas industry. Their directives have been implemented to ensure that due diligence and competence have become standard practice for all energy-related companies operating in Alberta. These directives are constantly updated to ensure Alberta’s oil and gas industry is at the forefront of public safety and environmental concerns.
AER Directive 060 (Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring, Incinerating, and Venting) has been updated recently to be more stringent for the Upstream Petroleum Industry. This update was completed in April 2022. It applies to all schemes and operations approved under section 10 of the Oil Sands Conservation Act (OSCA), except oil sands mining schemes. This includes all upstream petroleum industry wells, facilities, and pipeline installations that convey petroleum products licensed by the AER in accordance with the Pipeline Act. These requirements are to ensure environmental impacts are addressed before venting.
AER Directive 017 (Measurement Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations) was also updated this year and referenced with directive 060. These two directives have been put in place to limit the quantity of emissions and record them for submission. They are required for all equipment onsite powered by fuel or natural gas. There are requirements put in place for all individual equipment and the entire site as a whole.
Section 8.6 of AER Directive 060 directly affects control valves and installed electro-pneumatic positioners. This states that the required bleed rate for a natural gas-operated positioner must have a manufacturer-specified steady-state vent gas rate of less than 0.17 m3/hr. As of January 1st, 2023, all new and existing positioners must comply with this directive. The exact requirement is observed at the Canadian federal level with SOR 2018-66 (Regulations Respecting Reduction in the Release of Methane and Certain Volatile Organic Compounds) and in the USA with 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 0000.
The Flowserve Logix 3800 electro-pneumatic digital positioner complies with these standards and directives.
The Flowserve Logix 3800 with double-acting low bleed relay has a venting rate of 0.127 m3/hr @ 60 psi for air and 0.1644 m3/hr @ 60 psi for natural gas. The double poppet technology of the relay allows for a significant decrease in air consumption required without affecting the valve performance. This gives a comfortable operating safety factor to the complaint rate for both process media. Achieving this at 60 psi does not require us to derate our operating pressure and affect the valve’s performance.
The Flowserve Logix 3800 series positioner is the most recent available design in the Logix series positioners specifically designed and engineered by Flowserve. Compatible with linear and rotary valves and actuators, Flowserve Logix 3800 digital positioner delivers high reliability in tough environments. It provides unparalleled modularity and versatility within a single unit. Its ability to handle double- or single-acting, linear, and rotary applications reduces inventory and operating costs. Installation is simplified with an innovative, one-button quick calibration feature.
The powerful diagnostics for the Flowserve Logix 3800 provide predictive algorithms to continuously monitor the health of the valve and actuator. Partial stroke tools allow remote, local, or automatic scheduling. This level of diagnostics allows for the Logix 3800 to be successfully installed on Flowserve valves and a wide array of other control valves.
N2X has taken the approach to provide Low Bleed Flowserve Logix 3800 for all air and natural gas operations. Onsite natural gas compressors are required to provide air for electro-pneumatic positioners. These are also under the scope for AER Directives 060 and 017. Reducing the air required will assist in reducing the power/fuel consumption for the compressor and thus, reduce onsite emissions. This solution will achieve emission reduction for the entire location and create a more efficient, environmentally friendly system. Our strategy is to assist operators with being compliant beyond the control valve.
Low bleed positioners for natural gas and air media have become standard practice for several industries. Standards and Directives are continuously being updated to make this a requirement for all control valve installations.
References:
Emissions Data | Alberta Energy Regulator (aer.ca)
Glossary:Carbon dioxide equivalent – Statistics Explained (europa.eu)
Methane Reduction | Alberta Energy Regulator (aer.ca)
Who We are.
N2X Process Solutions is a Canadian engineered supplier of market-leading Valve and Actuation Solutions to a wide range of process industries, such as energy, mining, power, and municipal.
We also design and manufacture specialty Surge Relief equipment, used on incompressible fluid pipelines, primarily in the midstream Oil and Gas Industry.
At N2X Process Solutions, we provide ourselves on being a responsible company for our community and for our clients. We are committed to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring the safety and reliability of our clients’ operations.
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