Case Study: Metering System Support,
UK Gas Network
Kelton is the metering system audit partner for a major gas network distribution company in the UK
The Challenge
A time-critical execution.
Prior to routine shutdown and audits, our client’s regional control ‘line pack’ the gas to act as a reservoir and avoid disruptions to customer supply.
This provides a maximum 6-hour window to perform all audit activities on the metering system.
However, during a routine shutdown for an audit at one of their sites, the communication system between the flow computer and the control room failed.
This error stopped the reporting of the data needed to inform the control room gas flow rates and prevented Kelton from commencing the audit.
In addition, the site has a low-pressure limit of 13 barg. At this point, the gas reserve stored for the test would automatically flow back into the main system.
Although no safety or regulatory process would have been impacted, it could have resulted in a complete loss of accurate accounting of gas flow through the network – with potentially significant commercial implications.
The Solution
System support from the metering experts at Kelton.
Whilst our client’s team worked tirelessly to resolve the communication issue, the onsite auditor presented the situation to their Kelton colleagues.
Kelton has a wealth of operational experience gained in the fields of engineering, third-party audit, field operations, training, measurement reporting and system design.
Thanks to this world-leading measurement capability, a similar issue had previously been observed and resolved.
Following successful diagnosis of the root cause, the Kelton subject matter expert relayed the instructions to the onsite team for a prompt resolution.
The Result
A prompt resolution and stronger partnership.
Although the audit couldn’t be completed on this occasion, the “above and beyond” support provided by the Kelton team proved invaluable to their client – helping them to promptly resolve a critical issue and negate a potentially significant commercial risk.
The audit has now been successfully completed with no further issues triggered by the shutdown.
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