The demand for oil and oil-based products is increasing with the rising population. Since air compressors are essential for the oil & gas industry from the well all the way to gas station, the demand for air compressors will increase as well. Advancements in compressor technology emphasize speed, energy efficiency, and adaptability to challenging drilling environments.
Compressed air for utility and instrumentation
The way compressed air is used in industrial applications can be defined by the terms "utility" and "instrumentation".
Utility air refers to the function compressed air plays in the use of pneumatic tools, driving pumps, fans, or air heaters, for cleaning and so on. Instrument air refers to the quality of the compressed air – clean, dry, free from particles and so on used for: Purging of Panels and Instruments Valves actuation - ESD / Control Motor Purging Feed air for N2 generation.
The quality of the compressed air must meet the standards ISO 8573 / ISA S7.0.01. In many cases the compressed air must meet International standards for trouble free operation of utility equipment’s.
Compressed air used in the Oil & Gas industry
Compressed Air has numerous use cases in the oil & gas industry. It is used in a range of applications as below:
- Powering pneumatic drilling equipment to pipeline gas transportation.
- Cross country pipelines
- Reservoir production enhancement
- Gas / Water / Steam injection to facilitate recovery
- Compressed air is used for the transportation of liquids, pressurizing tanks, cooling processes, molding petroleum products
Types of compressors used in the Oil & Gas industry
The following type of air compressors are used to deliver high-quality compressed air for Oil & Gas applications.
1. Centrifugal compressor
Centrifugal compressor is a type of dynamic compressor, or turbo compressor, with a radial design. Depending on the type, they may be a single-stage or multi-stage compressor, and are driven by large gas turbines. Unlike reciprocating compressors, centrifugal compressors are often reserved for the largest oil and gas operations and require thousands of horsepower.
2. Rotary screw compressor
There are two primary versions of rotary screw compressor, oil-free and oil-injected, with options of fixed speed or variable speed drive operation. Screw compressor has no valve or other mechanical forces that can cause unbalance, which allows it to operate at high speeds, while combining a large flow rate with small exterior dimensions. The screw compressors offer ultimate reliability and efficiency even under the harshest conditions, easy to install and require minimal on-site installation work.
3. Reciprocating piston compressor
Piston technology compressors are the oldest type of air compressors. Of the most popular air compressors technologies available, the most economical and relatively inexpensive type of air compressor is the piston or reciprocating compressor. The range of larger piston compressors is usually dedicated to special applications, such as N2 blanketing (booster), compressed natural gas usage.
4. Low pressure compressor and blower
Low pressure compressors and blowers are ideal for applications requiring low pressure air such as aeration, pneumatic conveying and sulfur recovery, among others.
Compressed air solutions from Atlas Copco
With a dedicated team of Energy and Petrochemical in Atlas Copco’s Middle East regional customer center, we can design and deliver special products in line with customer’s specifications adhere to JIP-33, API and ISO etc.
Atlas Copco have a long history of supplying air compressors to the Oil & Gas industry (Upstream / Midstream / Downstream). They benefit from decades of long partnerships within the industry to gather feedback that has refined their oil & gas solutions. The result is utility & instrument air compressor packages that accommodate the modern oil & gas industry’s needs.
By partnering with Atlas Copco, you gain access to a fleet of industrial standard compressors, dryers , filters and complementary equipment to complete the package that serve every application, in the Upstream, Midstream or Downstream sector.
Learn more about how the company provides solutions for each sector here.
Use our contact form button below to get in touch with our partners in the region.
Watch the video
We recommend that you watch this 4-minute explainer video on how we supply utility & instrument compressed air solutions for the Oil & Gas industry.
