An Oil and Gas production laboratory is a vital component in maintaining control of field operations. It is important that managers; technicians; chemists and others have a good understanding of the abilities and limitations of a field laboratory so that they can better use the laboratory and its staff to control and optimise the oilfield process.

A production laboratory contributes to the operation in the following ways:

• Measurement and reporting of vital data
• Compliance with legislative criteria
• Provides early warning of potential plant problems
• Control and optimisation of the injection of oilfield chemicals
• First line analysis and identification of unknown substances / deposits
• Determination of product quality and fiscal measurements

This programme will explain to delegates:

• What happens within an oil and gas field laboratory and why this is important to a successful oilfield operation
• How to efficiently run such a laboratory
• How to produce accurate and reliable results
• How the laboratory contributes to the safe and efficient operation of plant and equipment
• How to calculate chemical injection rates
• Fiscal responsibilities during custody transfer
• Laboratory Quality Management
• How to use the laboratory for problem solving

• To better understand the function, importance and operation of oil and gas laboratories
• To understand how to optimise the day to day operation of the oil and gas laboratory
• To gain an insight into how Quality Management is important within and Oil and Gas Laboratory
• To understand how the results obtained from the laboratory can enhance the operation of the process system and contribute to the integrity of plant and equipment
• To understand how process chemicals function and how to utilise them effectively
• To understand how metering systems operate and how laboratory data contributes to accurate metering and tanker loading (custody transfer).

This is carried out by a series of lectures supported by comprehensive notes; delegates are encouraged to ask questions and participate in the sessions leading to an informal learning environment

This programme covers the essential aspects of the day-to-day operation of oil and gas laboratories, how the laboratory is used as a tool to facilitate optimisation of the process plant, control of environmental emissions, plant and equipment integrity and for product quality control.

DAY 1 - Role of the Laboratory Chemist in Oil and Gas Laboratories

• Quality Assurance and Control
• Control of Chemicals
• Health, Safety and Environmental Considerations
• Adherence to Legislation

Laboratory Management

• Laboratory Quality Management
• Equipment Maintenance
• Housekeeping
• Calibrations
• Stock Management
• Reporting
• Chemical Segregation and Storage

DAY 2 - Sampling of Process Fluids

• The importance of representative sampling
• Health and Safety considerations
• Pressurised Sampling (oil and gas)
• Atmospheric Sampling
• Water Sampling

 Laboratory Analysis

• Base Sediment & Water
• Water in Oil by Karl Fischer
• Oil in Water Testing
• Density Measurement
• Determination of Reid Vapour pressure
• General Produced Water Testing
• Potable Water Testing
• Utilities Analysis
• Microbiological Analysis

DAY 3 - Plant and Equipment

• Separation Systems
• Oilfield Chemicals

DAY 4 - Plant and Equipment

• Enhanced Oil Recovery
• Metering

DAY 5 - Plant and Equipment

• Summary
• Programme Evaluation Session