Electrical Safety for Oil and Gas Transport

Pipelines are used for oil and gas transport across long distances, and electrical safety in oil and gas transport is essential. Pipe heating systems and other heating systems are also required in the process. These are monitored by type “B” Bender fault current systems. Any faults are reported immediately before a system shutdown becomes necessary.

In a compressor or condenser station, a compressor compresses the natural gas to compensate for pressure losses. Natural gas is stored at high pressure, and the pressure in the pipeline falls because of flow losses. A driving machine drives the compressor at up to 30 MW. These drive machines can be either gas turbines or gearless electric motors. For electric motors, frequency converters are required, which need to be monitored for their insulation levels or existing leak currents.

To cover relatively large distances, there are pump stations to pump the oil or gas. Since the pressure to transport raw material is reduced due to flow losses, the pump stations aim to increase pressure again. Gearless electric motors power the pump. This means frequency converters are required, which need to be monitored for their insulation level or any fault current present.

Tank stores are used to store fuel and are often pumped by gearless electric motors. Frequency converters are typically used to monitor insulation levels or existing leakage currents.

A tanker transports liquids or gaseous materials such as crude oil, oil as a finished product, fuel, or liquid gas. Tankers have pumps for unloading and pumping around the load on board. These pumps are powered by gearless electric motors for which frequency converters are required to monitor insulation levels or existing fault currents. One of the critical components of shipping engineering is the main machine with its auxiliary generators, kettle systems, auxiliary diesel, and generators for power generation and loading pumps. The main distribution board on-board the tankers are generally designed as ungrounded systems monitored with ISOMETER®s and fault locators.