Flow measurement is a critical component to the oil and gas industry. Mounting pressure to preserve oil and gas supply levels around the world is an added strain on the industry to continue improving quality control and metering. Numerous processes make up the oil and gas industry including off and onshore exploration, production, gas processing, transportation and storage. With each process differing from company to company it’s impossible to create a one-size fits all engineering solution for these processes.

As recovery from the global recession rumbles on, the flowmeter market continues to show promising signs of recovery for 2013. Throughout 2011 and 2012 business was driven by demand within the power, mining, and oil and gas industries, and is demand is expected to continue growing at a speedy rate throughout 2013 with an increase in business in the chemical and energy sectors.

Nuclear power is set to stay, for now. Announcing the UK’s nuclear energy strategy, the Government’s chief science advisor, John Beddington, revealed that nuclear energy will remain a key component in the UK energy sector. It is expected that nuclear will play a significant part in reaching the climate change targets and provide resilience in the power sector, presenting economic opportunities for the UK market.

Throughout the energy industry flow computers are used to monitor and control resource levels. The world-wide energy crisis means close control must be kept over energy sources and demand on flow measurement systems is often high. Accuracy and reliability are key to ensuring they are reserved as much as possible. Used across the industry flow computers have to deal with variety of substances, and so software must be able to cover a range of density calculations including natural gas, steam, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and ethylene.

From using the wind and sun through to turning rubbish into electricity, renewable energy of all types is a key focus for energy ministers. Tough targets have been set throughout the renewable energy sector in an effort to reduce carbon emissions by 2020. With high targets to reach close monitoring throughout the renewable energy process is crucial, which is where flow measurement comes in.

In the search for energy sources around the world there has been an increasing focus on gas flow measurement. For years oil has dominated the global energy markets, but recently natural gas has upped the ante in the popularity stakes.

The flow measurement industry is constantly evolving, with new technology and methods emerging regularly. Keeping up-to-date with the latest advances is important, and next week Ex~i Flow will be attending the annual South East Asia Flow Measurement Conference held by leading Flow Measurement experts, NEL to do just that.

For every industry, introducing and installing a new system can be time consuming, costly and disruptive. New technology is constantly introduced in the flow measurement industry, and ensuring systems are kept up-to-date can be difficult. Introducing a new flow computer can cause serious disruption to flow measurement when not managed correctly.

Energy supplies are in high demand as the worlds population continues to grow. Fossil fuels and other energy sources are in dwindling supply, and close monitoring across the industry is fundamental when it comes to preserving the supply levels.