Gas detection in the global oil and gas industry is essential as the very nature of offshore drilling and exploration results in the production of a wide range of hazardous combustible and toxic gases. In addition, the processes involved can each produce non-toxic gases which can become dangerous in large concentrations due to oxygen depletion and cause personnel to suffocate.
The various facilities used for extraction, processing, refining, transportation and the personnel that work those facilities must be adequately protected with the appropriate flame and gas detection systems. These can automatically detect, monitor and alarm in order for the corrective actions to be taken.
Wherever hazardous areas are located it is essential to have fixed gas detection monitoring systems in place to constantly monitor the facilities in which personnel are working, even if they are not constantly present.
Portable gas detectors do not have the ability to detect concentrations of combustible gases in unoccupied areas that are hazardous to equipment and life. By the time the portable gas detector has been taken into the area to be monitored for the presence of hazardous gas, it can be too late as the effects of the gas have already taken hold.
