OLPD condition monitoring of complete networks for oil and gas: challenges and solutions explained through case studies

This paper provides an overview of the development and case studies from installations of On-line Partial Discharge (OLPD) Condition Monitoring (CM) systems for complete MV and HV networks in the Oil and Gas industry. The range and number of assets and geographical spread coupled with problems of restricted access and security present a particular set of challenges for the field installation of such systems. A solution based on OLPD sensors and monitors installed at strategic locations in the network is presented. It is important for OLPD monitoring to separate noise from PD and identify the different types of PD which can be detected. This is achieved by using multiple PD sensors and the monitoring system signal analysis software. A software architecture solution is presented explaining a client/server system that integrates with a SCADA network whilst maintaining the richness of data required to make diagnostic decisions. This allows to handle the large set of data and make the results easily accessible to maintenance engineers and asset managers.