Natural Gas Industry 

In the vast and complex natural gas industry, from wellhead to burner tip, maintaining gas quality, ensuring safety, and preventing infrastructure degradation are paramount. A critical factor in achieving these objectives is the precise and continuous monitoring of oxygen (O2​) concentrations. The presence of even trace amounts of O2​ in natural gas can lead to severe operational issues, safety hazards, and significant financial losses. 

Why O2 Analysis is Critical in Natural Gas: 

• Corrosion Prevention: Oxygen in natural gas, especially in the presence of water (H2​O) and hydrogen sulfide (H2​S), can form highly corrosive compounds like sulfuric acid (H2​SO4​). This leads to internal pipeline and equipment corrosion, compromising the integrity of infrastructure, causing leaks, and necessitating costly repairs and replacements. Continuous O2​ monitoring is essential to prevent this degradation. 

• Safety Hazards: While natural gas itself is flammable, the introduction of oxygen can create explosive mixtures. Uncontrolled O2​ ingress, often due to leaks in pipelines, compressors, or storage facilities, significantly increases the risk of fires and explosions throughout the production, transmission, and distribution network. Real-time O2​ analysis acts as a vital early warning system for potential safety breaches. 

• Process Efficiency and Product Quality:  
  
  Degradation of Amine and Mercaptans: Oxygen can degrade chemicals used for removing impurities like carbon dioxide (CO2​) and hydrogen sulfide (H2​S), reducing their effectiveness and increasing operational costs. 
  
  Reduced Heating Value: Oxygen adds no heating value to natural gas, and its presence can dilute the product, leading to a lower quality gas and potential contractual penalties. 
  
  Catalyst Poisoning: In gas processing plants, oxygen can poison catalysts used in various purification and conversion processes, leading to reduced efficiency and costly catalyst replacement. 

• Custody Transfer and Compliance: Strict contractual specifications often govern the maximum permissible O2​ levels in natural gas, particularly at custody transfer points. Accurate and reliable O2​ measurement ensures compliance with these standards and avoids financial penalties.