In the oil and gas industry, operations are classified as upstream, midstream and downstream. Each of these operations requires some type of gas-detection safety system. These systems often consist of some combination of hydrogen-sulfide (H2S) sensors, sulfur dioxide (SO2) sensors, combustible gas (LEL) sensors, and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. The sensors connect to a controller that monitors the outputs of the sensors and sounds alarms when unsafe levels are detected.
Traditionally, these systems have been fixed, hard-wired systems. The sensors are installed at fixed locations and wires are run, either in conduits or buried underground, to the controller. These systems are reliable and effective, but they are costly. Because of this, the oil and gas industry continues to look for technology that not only will keep workers safe and meet regulatory requirements, but also improve productivity and return on investment. To meet these needs, many organizations are now deploying wireless gas-detection systems.