Pipeline monitoring system uses wireless sensors

Repsol deploys Honeywell wireless transmitters to reduce costs and maintain secure monitoring of oil and gas pipeline systems for Repsol in Argentina, reducing initial costs by 37%

Sergio Iurchuk, Project Engineer, Repsol YPF, concluded: "We chose to use Honeywell wireless pressure transmitters because this technology made it possible for us to reduce our costs by more than 37 percent in development, installation, engineering, mounting, startup and maintenance.

I would recommend Honeywell for all applications that need reliable and secure monitoring and measurement".

Repsol selected a variety of Honeywell products, including wireless pressure transmitters, to maintain accurate monitoring of pipelines crossing the Colorado River in Argentina.

Repsol YPF is an integrated global oil and gas company, a multinational energy and chemical company producing more than 1.2 million barrels per day.

In 2004, an underwater pipeline crossing the Colorado River was completed in the Puesto Molina production area, for one oil pipeline, two gas pipelines and an aqueduct.

Security and environmental standards required that Repsol maintain accurate monitoring of the pipelines to avoid possible spills into the river in the event of a pipe breakage.

Repsol considered using pressure transmitters to sense pressure on the pipelines but the costs of mounting and maintenance of conventional units were prohibitive.

Wireless transmitter technology offered significant advantages when used for measurement and monitoring of applications, and was designed for applications with little to no access to power, hazardous or remote locations where instrumentation changes are frequent or where manual readings are usually taken.

Repsol turned to Honeywell to supply the needed wireless technology to monitor the pipelines.

"Honeywell's wireless pressure measurement solutions helped remove the barriers to installation and startup costs but still provided a reliable, secure and safe monitoring system," said Sergio Iurchuk, Project Engineer, Repsol YPF.

The Honeywell XYR 5000 wireless pressure transmitters (models WG513 and WG514) along with a WBR base radio were used to implement the monitoring system.

The wireless implementation advantages in this installation were:.

* 37 percent lower installed cost than traditional instrumentation, with savings in development, installation, engineering, mounting and startup.

* Data transmission faults caused by wiring, marshalling panels and junction boxes were eliminated.

* Measurement reliability was greatly enhanced with the elimination of data transmission faults.

* 50 percent reduction in maintenance costs due to high reliability, stability and auto-diagnose capabilities.

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