OMMICA: fast, accurate, portable analysis of produced fluids

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Deployed by 20 companies

OMMICA provides substrate-specific test kits which enable the low-cost, on-site detection and quantification of contaminants in produced fluids: methanol, MEG, and THPS.

Page last modified

October 7 2024

The OMMICA tests consist of simple, highly accurate, portable tests to measure the specified contaminant (whether methanol, MEG, or THPS) in crude oil, condensate, water, oil-based control fluids, or gas.

Accuracy is gained by addition of precisely measured reagents to a sample. This is then reacted for a specified time and temperature, to control the reaction, and ensure it goes to completion.

The resultant colour is measured using a colourimeter, at a specified wavelength, which enables calculation of the sample concentration to +/- 2 ppm.

The OMMICA analysis method is as accurate as specialist chromatography, but allows on-site testing to take place wherever needed (for example in the field and/or offshore) due to portable, robust, easy-to-use equipment.

Pros & Limitations

Significant cost savings on traditional analysis methods (such as those offered by contract labs)

As accurate as specialist laboratory methods (e.g. GC or HPLC)

Designed to be used on- and off-shore

Designed to be easy for non-specialist users to use consistently and accurately

Works well in synergy with other monitoring methods

Sample pre-treatment (e.g. water extraction of oil samples) not required before analysis

OMMICA is not an ASTM or NACE method; however it correlates well with the standard ASTM/NACE methods

The OMMICA method may require a couple of hours training for optimum results (can be provided)

Additional sample processing (dilution) required for very high concentration samples; e.g. of lean/rich MEG for MEG regeneration systems management, or THPS stocks, for THPS quality control

Gas samples must be passed through water to extract the analyte of interest, before testing with OMMICA

Specification

Specification Title	Specification Description
Areas of application	Methanol kits: FPSO, custody transfer, oil storage tanks, pipeline monitoring, restart. MEG kits: Pipelines, MEG regen systems, oil-based control fluids, airport water runoff monitoring THPS kits: Tracking biocide travel through pipelines, monitoring FeS removal treatment, any industry where THPS is used
Accuracy	+/- 2 ppm
Detection threshold	< 1 ppm
Range (standard, in oil)	Methanol: 0 to 750 ppm MEG: 0 to 500 ppm THPS: N/A
Range, standard (in water)	Methanol: 20 to 1500 ppm (can be modified to 0 to 30 ppm) MEG, THPS: 0 to 100 ppm
Range (extended, in oil)	Up to 10% (dilution with co-solvent required)
Range (extended, in water)	Up to 80% (dilution with DI water required)
Efficiency	Up to 100 samples/day possible
Cost reduction	Low set-up cost compared with GC or HPLC. Low ongoing OPEX. No servicing.
Quality	Methanol, MEG: Third party testing confirms equivalence with ASTM GC method (major analytical contractor) THPS: Validated by third party testing (major operator)
Operational impact	Accurate onsite testing, minimising delays
Deployment	Can be effectively used by non-specialists
Training	Full training videos on company YouTube channel. Summary videos on website and YT channel. In-person or (onsite or video call) training can be provided.
Versatility	Suitable for use on or offshore. Requires less than 1 m2 of working space. Robust equipment. Aqueous testing can be carried out in back of vehicle.