Measuring H₂S in the Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream Oil & Gas Markets
Introduction to Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a naturally occurring, colorless, and highly toxic gas with a
characteristic odor resembling rotten eggs. First identified in the 18th century, H₂S has historically been associated with
volcanic gases and hot springs, but it is also found abundantly in fossil fuels such as crude oil and natural gas. Hydrogen
sulfide is both a safety and operational concern in the oil and gas industry. Even at low parts-per-million concentrations, H₂S is
dangerous to human health, capable of causing respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, and death. Additionally, H₂S is
highly corrosive, especially in the presence of water, leading to sulfide stress cracking in pipelines and pressure vessels.
H₂S Measurement in the Upstream MarketThe upstream segment involves the exploration and production of oil and gas,
often from reservoirs that contain sour gas—gas with high concentrations of H₂S. Monitoring H₂S at the wellhead is crucial for
safety and to ensure compliance with environmental and production standards. Technologies employed in this segment
include:- Ultraviolet (UV) Spectroscopy: Offers continuous online measurement with minimal sample conditioning. UV
absorption is specific to H₂S and enables fast response times in dynamic well environments.- Gas Chromatography (GC):
Provides highly accurate and repeatable measurements of H₂S and other sulfur species. Commonly used for detailed
compositional analysis during well testing and production optimization.
Applied Analytics is capable of having a low range and high range cell that is seperated from the enclosure via fiber optics
H₂S Monitoring in the Midstream Sector
The midstream sector involves transportation, storage, and gas processing. Accurate H₂S detection is essential to maintain
gas quality (e.g., <4 ppm H₂S per pipeline tariffs), prevent corrosion in pipelines and compressors, and ensure safe handling
during compression and dehydration stages.
- Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS): Provides high-speed, in-situ gas-phase measurement with excellent
specificity and drift-free performance. Ideal for installation in compressor stations and custody transfer metering stations.
- Raman Spectroscopy: While less common, Raman is emerging for multi-gas analysis in midstream applications, particularly
where a broader chemical profile is needed alongside H₂S quantification.
APIX Innovative Modular GC can incorporate 4 GC Modules in a single enclosure. Each module contains injection port, columns, heater, along with a detector. Utilizing a MEMS detector, the sensitivity allows us to get to PPB levels in heavy hydrocarbons.
H₂S Detection in the Downstream Market
Refining and petrochemical facilities deal with complex hydrocarbon mixtures and require precise H₂S measurement for process control and environmental compliance. Typical applications include hydrotreater unit inlets, sour water stripping units, and flare gas monitoring.
- Gas Chromatography (GC): Remains the industry standard for sulfur compound speciation. Utilized for regulatory reporting and product quality assurance.
- Raman and UV: Used in both gas and liquid applications. UV is especially useful for continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS), while Raman allows for non-invasive analysis of process liquids containing H₂S.
Tec5 Raman analyzers measure the inelastic scattering (Raman effect) of photons. They're ideal for analyzing gases, liquids, and solids without direct contact, requiring no sample prep.
Comparative Overview of H₂S Analyzer Technologies
Each technology has distinct benefits and limitations depending on the use case:
- UV: Fast response, no consumables, suitable for continuous monitoring
- GC: Precise, capable of speciation, requires sample handling and regular calibration
- TDLAS: Laser-based, drift-free, minimal maintenance, real-time feedback
- Raman: Non-contact, reagent-free, suitable for complex matrices and multi-component analysis
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