Block Engineering announces OEM supply agreement

Block Engineering, which manufactures quantum cascade laser (QCL) and miniaturised fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy solutions, announced today that it has signed a long-term supply agreement with a provider of hardened, field-based systems in the oil and gas drilling industry. Specifically, Block’s Mini-FT™ Spectrometer provides for real-time monitoring of C1-C5 hydrocarbons to enable drilling operations to proceed more efficiently with better knowledge of the underlying geology.

Applications ranging from mud-logging to hydraulic fracturing, drilling and refining
“Monitoring and reporting gases is a critical need in the oil and gas industry with applications ranging from mud-logging to hydraulic fracturing, drilling and refining. Our customers are looking for direct, online solutions in order to provide real-time process control and minimise waste, due to delayed corrective actions,” said Scott Riggi, VP of Sales at Block Engineering. “Block’s Mini-FT OEM product is a well-tested and validated, rugged engine that meets our customers’ requirements.”

Petros Kotidis, CEO of Block Engineering, commented, “I am very pleased to announce this OEM supply agreement in this new market for Block, which is a validation of the potential of our products to significantly improve the efficiency of these operations and reduce the cost of exploration, drilling and refining. I look forward to introducing more of our products into the dynamic and growing oil and gas industry.”

Key benefits
The gas monitor comes with a wireless radio communications and custom-developed software integrated inside a compact (7x9x11 in.) explosion-proof enclosure that enables mounting of the system directly at the mud-pit. The key benefits include:

• Rapid (1-2 sec), directly online measurements, eliminating the delays associated with the physical distance between measurement location and conventional trailer-based analytical instruments.
• No consumables, which shows the clear advantage of this technology over gas chromatographs.
• No vacuum pumps and associated equipment as is typically required by mass spectrometers.
• Rugged, miniaturised FTIR design.

Adapted from press release by Cecilia Rehn

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/product-news/20012014/block_engineering_announces_oem_supply_agreement_for_oil_and_gas_drilling_applications/