With billions of barrels of established and bitumen crude oil in the ground, the process of exploration, extraction, upgrading, refining, transporting and marketing oil products all revolves around proper mixing. In fact, mixing is involved at every stage in the process. From drilling fluid emulsion created in batches to product sampling before custody transfer, mixing really matters. Here is why you need a proper mixer if you are in any stage of oil and gas production.
Right from the beginning at the exploration stage, drilling fluid is mixed in an emulsion to provide hydrostatic pressure, keep fluids out of the well bore and the drill bit cool and clean during drilling. A slip up here can be very costly without garnering any profits in the first place.
Later, product sampling in the pipeline determines how much profit will be made. Sampling is there to determine how much water content is in the pipeline, so a uniform sampling process is critical. Optimum mixing is critical at this stage for a refinery. Even a 0.1% error can cost a quarter of a million dollars!
Sludge is another problem that quality mixing is designed to reduce or eliminate. Bottom sludge settles into the storage vessels and tanks where it can harden and not be removed by normal pumping. When this happens, the tank must be taken offline and cleaned, which is expensive, time consuming, dangerous and then the sludge has to be disposed of somehow. A poor mixer makes sludge buildup a constant reality.
Komax is proud to play a critical role in the oil and gas industry through innovative and quality mixers and heaters. If your business needs an edge in this volatile market place, why not consult with our experts?