Gas Detection for Oil & Gas and Petrochemical Industries

Our gas detection systems are used extensively in the oil & gas, offshore production, LNG, LPG and petrochemical industries. Find out why…

On this page

  • Gas detection in the oil & gas industry
  • Gas detection in offshore exploration and production (scroll down)
  • Gas detection in the liquid natural gas (LNG) industry (scroll down)
  • Gas detection in the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) industry (scroll down)
  • Gas detection in the petrochemical industry (scroll down)
  • FAQs (scroll down)
  • Case studies (scroll down)
  • Testimonials (scroll down)

Gas detection in the oil & gas industry

There are multiple hazards when processing oil and gas, from combustibility to harmful and deadly gases. Gas detection is critical to protecting people and property from these hazards.

We offer the most comprehensive line of field-proven gas detection products for the oil and gas industry. Our gas detection systems are designed to withstand the harshest environments while performing reliably and with a lower lifetime cost.

Specific applications

  • Exploration
  • Drilling
  • Production
  • Transportation, storage and distribution
  • Refining
  • Contractor services
  • Ppm hydrocarbon leak
  • Confined space entry
  • Inert gas blanketing
  • Data-logging/industrial hygiene – workplace exposures
  • Environmental
  • Perimeter/fence-line monitoring
  • Fixed point

Potential hazards

  • Ammonia
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Chlorine
  • Hydrogen
  • Hydrogen sulphide
  • Methane
  • Propane
  • Sulphur dioxide
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Combustible gases
  • Oxygen deficiency/enrichment

Gas detection in offshore exploration and production

Offshore exploration and production is often undertaken in extreme environments. Climatic conditions team up with combustible and toxic gases to create working conditions that can go from safe to dangerous in the blink of an eye.

Our gas detection products for offshore exploration and production are as tough as the people they’re designed to protect. We are the leading supplier to the Taranaki oil & gas industry and have a 30-year history of providing reliable equipment that stands up to the corrosion, extreme weather and other conditions found on offshore rigs.

Potential hazards

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Hydrogen Sulphide
  • Methane
  • Combustible Gases
  • Flame

Gas detection in the liquid natural gas (LNG) industry

The risk of gas leaks and subsequent explosion is present in every operational step of LNG production, from compression and odourisation to storage and distribution. The high flammability of the LNG makes reliable gas detection a critical priority.

Our gas detection systems are ideally suited to LNG facilities. Our range of products with over 20 years’ experience in LNG facilities helps ensure there are no interruptions to production and that people and property remain protected.

Specific applications

  • Compressor station
  • Underground storage area
  • Potential Hazards
  • Butane
  • Methane
  • Propane
  • Fire

Gas detection in the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) industry

Highly flammable, LPG requires stringent monitoring during every step of its production, storage and transportation. There is no margin for error and the risk of harm to people and property cannot be underestimated.

Our gas detection systems have the required functionality and reliability to keep LPG facilities and workers safe. We also bring experience – our gas detection systems have equipped more than 100 LPG facilities around the world.

Specific applications

  • Filling station
  • Potential Hazards
  • Butane
  • Propane
  • Explosion
  • Fire

Gas detection in the petrochemical industry

Derived from either petroleum or natural gas – both highly combustible – petrochemicals involve significant manufacturing risks. Determining the right gas detection system is dependent upon on the process and the product being manufactured.

Our gas detection systems and our depth and breadth of experience are the best in the industry. Our proven sensor technology allows us to provide a solution for the most demanding petrochemical applications.

Specific applications

  • Acid production
  • Confined space entry
  • Data-logging/industrial hygiene – workplace exposures
  • Emission testing
  • Fixed point
  • Hydrocarbon production
  • Inert gas blanketing
  • PPM hydrocarbon leak detection
  • Shutdown and turnaround
  • Specialty chemical production
  • Valve and flange check points

Potential hazards

  • Acetone
  • Ammonia
  • Benzene
  • Bromine
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Chloride
  • Chlorine
  • Chlorine dioxide
  • Chloromethane
  • Ethylene
  • Ethylene oxide
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Hydrogen sulphide
  • Methylene
  • Methyl ethyl ketone
  • Nitric acid
  • Phosphine
  • Propylene
  • Sulphur dioxide
  • Sulphuric acid
  • Toluene
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Xylene
  • Combustible gases
  • Oxygen deficiency/enrichment

Entec provides a wide range of fixed gas detection systems and portable gas detectors for the fishing industry to help keep employees safe and production running.

Find out more…

You can trust our expertise and rely on our service

We know your No. 1 priority is protecting your people and plant, and making sure you don’t fail legal or OSH requirements, have a staff member harmed or be prosecuted for an accident. With an increasing focus on health and safety in the workplace, your job and your company’s reputation depends upon it.

We understand the unique requirements of the food & beverage industry. You don’t need the hassle and risk of gas detectors that are expensive, problematic, unreliable, prone to sensor failures, require too much servicing, or have recurring problems. We’ll provide you with gas detection equipment that is…

  • Cost-effective.
  • Serviced locally in our authorised service centre (the only one in NZ).
  • Easy and reliable to manage on-site via function test / bump test stations.
  • Backed up with our support and expertise – we’ll be there when you need us.

Find out more…

FAQs

How long does your gas detection equipment last?
Depending on how they’re used there’s no reason a high-end gas detection instrument shouldn’t last 6 years. With low-cost instruments ($1,000) you will reach a stage where the gas detector is still fine but the cost of keeping it in the field is greater than buying a new one. For example, replacing two sensors and calibrating the unit could cost $1,100 compared to a new instrument at about $1,000.

What sort of water ingress protection do your gas detectors have?
All our instruments are IP rated (ingress protection rated). Typically IP67, which is very high. Gas detectors rated to IP67 must be dust tight and withstand immersion in water up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes.

Solid particle protection level 6: No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact.

Liquid ingress protection level 7: No ingress of water in harmful quantity when the unit is immersed in 1 metre of water for 30 minutes.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code for more info.

What are my options with bump testing / calibration?
We can provide you with options from the top end to the basic. With our iNet InSite programme you get all the bells and whistles, all the basics like data-logging, bump testing and calibration; plus you get reports on instrument usage such as…

  • Instrument in alarm condition and alarm ignored.
  • Instrument turned off whist in alarm condition.
  • iNet Control.

What is iNet Control?
iNet Control is a web-based application accessible from any PC web browser that allows you to configure and manage your gas detector fleet. It gives you practical insights into your gas detection program using trends, performance metrics and custom reports.

Can you calibrate our gas detectors for us?
Yes. Calibrations done by us at our premises cost $140 per instrument.

Are gas detectors intrinsically safe?
Yes. All our instruments are independently tested by authorities such as ATEX, IECEx, ANZEx, UL, CSA and many more, usually country dependant.

New Zealand recognises the first 3. The gas detector has a sticker attached to it referring to the certification authority and its rating. Many have more than one authority rating, often 3.

How much do gas detectors cost?
Depending on sensor configuration and the number of gas detectors being purchased, the price varies from $950 to $4,500. The MX4, our most popular portable instrument, sells for $950 to $1,150 depending on configuration.

What’s the turnaround for service?
We have same-day turnaround for over 90% of the gas detection instruments we service and calibrate. It varies a little depending on the number of units in for service, but we strive for same day turnaround as much as possible.

Do your gas detectors detect toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)?
You would typically be looking at our MX4, MX6 and single gas models depending on the application, etc.

Do your gas detectors detect hydrogen sulphide (H2S)?
Yes. You would typically be looking at our MX4 model.

Do your gas detectors detect combustible gasses such as methane, hexane, pentane and ethane?
Yes, we can fit multiple sensors in the MX6 and MX4 including LEL.

Can you train us in how to use the gas detectors?
Yes, most definitely. On delivery we like to spend time with the users taking them through the basic use of the gas detector. We also like to spend time with the users of the docking stations teaching them how to use them. Industrial Scientific also has very good online training modules.

Case study: 36% cost saving

After concerns at the cost of keeping their instruments in the field, a new client asked Entec to present a 3-year full-service lease. The cost of the lease was $14,000 p.a. and they were currently spending $22,000. Hence they signed up for a 3-year lease. They were referred to Entec by two sites near them that are using our equipment and are very happy with the product and service.

Case study: Over the ditch and far away

A company involved in checking for methyl bromide on export logs approached us for quotes. They were using an opposition product that was proving unreliable and difficult to get serviced in a reasonable timeframe because they had to go to Australia for service. Our gas detection instruments had a higher initial purchase price, but with a quicker and less expensive New Zealand service option the lifetime cost equation stacked up and they changed over to us.

Case study: Sensor issues

A company with a lot of hydrogen on their site was having difficulty with their carbon monoxide (CO) sensors because of the cross-sensitivity between the hydrogen (H2) and the carbon monoxide (CO) sensors. We demonstrated to them our CO sensor with H2 null feature. This completely solved the issue and they now buy their gas detection instruments from us.

Case study: Expensive repairs & poor service

A larger oil company was sick of expensive repairs and poor service, purchased a number of instruments from us. We monitored the cost of repairs for these instruments and based on the information we collected we offered them a lease that covered both repairs and calibrations. This customer now has a large fleet of instruments and bump test stations.

Testimonials

“I’m the production manager at an oil and gas facility and I’ve been using Entec for 8 years. I’ve got a good relationship with a couple of the guys there and I get good service. In this game you need to have people that are on the ball and that are professional and onto it.”

“Entec are right up there, otherwise we wouldn’t use them. In some respects they’re head and shoulders above others with the services and products they can provide us. And it’s the back up they’ve given me and their desire to make sure we’re happy with the product. If something goes wrong the back-up services are good.”

“Before using Entec for gas detection the only reservation I had was their ability to provide the back-up service. But after I’d used them a couple of times that was very much diminished, if not gone.”

“I had that reservation because we had been using other companies that weren’t based here and there’s nothing worse than having to send a product that you’ve been using away. It’s like if you have a problem, it’s away for a month or a week – and we can’t have that. We need it to be sorted out either now or yesterday. And with John especially, he’s willing to go the extra mile for you and ensure that he’s got everything sorted.”

“With Entec I get very prompt service, competitive pricing, and second-to-none service. From remedial to the initial, they’re good.”

– [Name withheld], production manager, oil & gas industry

Do you have questions?