Equipment reliability is critical throughout the oil and gas industry. Machinery failure can result in expensive downtime, disruption to production and, in some circumstances, increased risks to personnel and the surrounding environment.
Vibration measurement provides operators and maintenance teams with valuable information about the condition of critical machinery. By identifying changes in vibration associated with mechanical problems, action can be taken before developing faults lead to more serious equipment failure.
Monitran provides vibration sensors, accelerometers, vibration meters and condition monitoring solutions suitable for demanding oil and gas applications.
Why Vibration Measurement Matters in Oil and Gas
Oil and gas operations often depend on machinery operating continuously in challenging environments. Remote locations and offshore facilities can make unexpected repairs particularly difficult and costly, increasing the importance of identifying potential problems at an early stage.
Mechanical wear, imbalance and other developing faults can cause changes in machinery vibration. Measuring these changes can provide an early indication that equipment requires further investigation.
Vibration measurement can therefore form an important part of a predictive maintenance strategy, allowing maintenance teams to make informed decisions based on the condition of machinery rather than simply responding to breakdowns.
Oil and Gas Equipment Commonly Monitored
Monitran vibration sensors can be used to monitor a wide range of assets found throughout oil and gas operations, including:
- Gearboxes
- Pumps
- Compressors
- Heat exchangers
- Generators
- Motors
- Crane bearings
- Lifting systems
From upstream exploration and production through to downstream processing operations, effective vibration measurement can help protect machinery that is essential to maintaining safe and efficient operations.
Detecting Developing Machinery Faults
Changes in vibration can provide an indication of problems that may not otherwise be immediately apparent during normal operation.
Abnormal vibration can be associated with issues such as component wear, imbalance, misalignment and bearing problems. Detecting these changes gives maintenance teams an opportunity to investigate the cause and determine whether corrective action is required.
Depending on the application, vibration can be monitored continuously or checked periodically as part of routine machinery inspections.
Supporting Predictive Maintenance
One of the key advantages of vibration monitoring in the oil and gas industry is its ability to support a more proactive approach to maintenance.
Rather than waiting for machinery to fail, maintenance teams can use condition data to identify changes in equipment performance and plan maintenance accordingly. This can help reduce unscheduled outages, avoid unnecessary maintenance and extend the useful operating life of important assets.
Earlier identification of mechanical problems can also contribute to safer operations by reducing the likelihood of faults developing unnoticed.
Vibration Sensors for Harsh Environments
Oil and gas equipment may be exposed to moisture, dust, temperature extremes and other challenging environmental conditions. Monitoring equipment therefore needs to be capable of providing reliable measurements within these environments.
Monitran sensors are available with robust stainless-steel housings and sealed construction for demanding industrial applications.
Depending on the machinery, environment and monitoring requirements, solutions can include accelerometers and velocity sensors for permanent installation, handheld vibration meters for inspections and spot checks, and condition monitoring systems for continuous monitoring across multiple assets.
This flexibility allows vibration measurement to be introduced at individual critical assets or as part of a wider condition monitoring programme.
Continuous and Periodic Vibration Measurement
Different oil and gas applications require different approaches to machinery monitoring.
Permanent sensors can provide ongoing information about critical equipment, making them suitable where continuous oversight is required. Handheld vibration measurement equipment can provide an alternative for routine inspections across multiple machines or locations.
The appropriate approach will depend on factors including the importance of the asset, operating environment, accessibility and consequences of equipment failure.
Improve Equipment Reliability with Monitran
Effective vibration measurement gives oil and gas operators greater visibility of machinery condition and can provide valuable early warning of developing mechanical problems.
Monitran can help you identify suitable vibration sensors and monitoring equipment for your application, whether you require permanent sensors, portable measurement equipment or a wider condition monitoring system.
Contact Monitran to discuss your oil and gas vibration measurement requirements and find the right monitoring solution for your equipment.