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Methanol analysis: Fast, accurate, portable analysis of produced fluids

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OMMICA is a low cost alternative to GC for methanol detection on crude oil, condensate, water, and gas

Page last modified

April 11 2024

The OMMICA MeOH analysis consists of a simple, highly accurate, portable colourimetric test to determine methanol in crude oil and water.

Accuracy is gained by addition of accurately measured reagents to a sample. This is then reacted at a specific time and temperature, to control the reaction and the resultant colour gives the level of methanol.

Absorbance of the reacted sample colour is measured using a colourimeter to give an accuracy of +/- 1ppm.

The analysis has been developed to be as accurate as gas chromatography, but allow on-site testing to take place in the field or offshore, through use of portable equipment.

Pros & Limitations

Significant cost savings on traditional analysis methods

Designed to be easy for non-specialist users to use well

As accurate as Gas Chromatography

Designed to be used on- and off-shore

Water extraction of oil not required before analysis of oil samples

OMMICA is not an ASTM method, however it correlates well with the standard ASTM method using GC

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

Specification

Specification Title	Specification Description
Areas of application	FPSO, custody transfer, oil storage tanks, pipeline monitoring, restart after well shut-down
Accuracy	+/- 2 ppm
Range (standard)	1 to 750 ppm (oil), 20 to 1500 ppm (water)
Range (extended)	Up to 10% (oil), up to 80% (water)
Detection threshold	< 1 ppm in oil, < 10 ppm in water, < 10 ppm in gas
Efficiency	Up to 100 samples/day possible
Cost reduction	Low set-up cost compared with GC. Low ongoing OPEX
Deployment	Can be effectively used by non-specialists
Training	Dedicated YouTube training videos channel, summary videos on website, in-person training can be provided if required
Quality	3rd party testing confirms equivalence with ASTM method (GC) (Major analytical contractor)
Operational impact	No need to wait for samples to be helicoptered back onshore to a lab, and for a third party to analyse samples, before decisions can be made
Versatility	Suitable for use on or offshore. Only requires 1 m2 (or less) of working space. Robust equipment.