Feature Article:.

Protecting Natural Gas Pipeline Compressor Stations
By Ardem Antabian,
Product Line Manager

Pipelines delivering natural gas from drilling production sites to metropolitan areas for consumption are common in many regions around the globe. Some of these pipelines stretch thousands of miles, and remote gas compressor stations are necessary to keep the gas moving efficiently to its final destination. Each station house may have from one to several large gas compression engines that operate 24-hours a day at thousands of horsepower per compressor unit.

Most compressor stations are highly automated as part of the pipeline’s distributed control system. They are controlled from remote Central Operating Centers that are often responsible for multiple pipelines. Even with pipeline automation, there is still a need for routine equipment maintenance and repair within the gas compression stations. There is always the potential as well for accidental combustible gas leaks within the station that require gas detection, alarming and suppression.

Click here to read the full article, which provides detailed safety and combustible gas monitoring information.