Poor filtration design costing O&G companies millions

Oil and gas companies can cut costs and boost efficiency by involving filtration experts early to optimise systems, reduce maintenance, and improve performance, Chris Nixon of Cleanova tells OGN

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OIL and gas companies are spending millions of dollars unnecessarily due to missed opportunities to optimise performance, minimise maintenance, and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).

"Poorly specified and maintained filtration systems are all too common in our experience, and they inevitably cause higher costs down the line," says Chris Nixon, Engineering and Products Director at Cleanova.

"We urge those responsible for plant design, operation and maintenance to involve filtration experts earlier, so they can save money and reap the benefits that an appropriately designed and sized filtration system can bring." Cleanova points to over-reliance on generic datasheet specifications as a key reason why filtration systems are poorly designed and maintained.

The practice commonly results in oversized filtration systems, resulting in higher capital costs, or sub-optimal filter choices that mean the system is designed to fail.

They caution that standard filtration specifications should only be used as a starting point.

Nixon says: "Filtration systems should be developed based on the customer's priorities and using application-specific data to optimise filtration sizing and media selection. Ideally, post-commissioning tests should also be conducted to double-check that system operating parameters match predictions. Variations in flow and contaminant levels directly affect filtration efficacy, leading to more frequent filter replacement or even system failure."

WHY FILTRATION MATTERS

Filtration is not only a vital part of traditional oil and gas production, it is also critical to the success of emerging sustainable technologies such as carbon capture, storage and utilisation (CCUS).

Deployed at key points to remove solid and liquid contaminants, properly specified filtration systems contribute directly to the quality of the end product.