Technology

Interview with Nadim Borini of Permasense corrosion and erosion monitoring systems

Nadim Borini, Middle East and North Africa regional sales manager spoke to Kestell Duxbury of Oil Review Middle East in October 2016

Permasense, experts in remote monitoring solutions, have had a busy 2016 so far. Nadim Borini spoke to Oil Review Middle East in October.

Oil Review Middle East (ORME): How do Permasense systems help to detect and prevent corrosion, and how does the technology work?

Nadim Borini (NB): We pride ourselves on being experts in the field of remote monitoring solutions, unique sensor and wall thickness technology. Our number one key element is that we can determine the life of our customers assets. This is predominately lost through internal and external corrosion. Knowing this, we have the knowledge to allow our customers to make decisions on whether to update or change there assets. We do this through two ways. We use qualitative methods and use frequent measurements. This works through our sensors where we collect wall thickness measurement data through wireless and battery technology and through our unique software, which connects to a gateway that provides our clients with up to date with the results of our thickness sensors. These are collected once every 12 hours by default, but customers can change this frequency depending on their assets. This data takes no more than two to three minutes to be delivered to our customers.

ORME: What are the main benefits of Permasense technology?

NB: We focus on providing our customers with up to date insights on how their asset behaves when under load. Secondly, we have the benefits of ease of installation because our sensors are battery operated and wireless. The quality and frequency of data processes and decision making makes Permasense technology a real asset to our clients.

ORME: Can you give some examples of its applications in the oil and gas sectors?

NB: Within the oil and gas sectors, we operate in upstream, midstream and downstream applications respectively. In upstream applications, we work with gas extraction platforms which are often victim to aggressive sand erosion. In downstream applications, we work with companies to make decisions of crude flexibility. Of course, cheap crude has a higher acidity level which causes additional corrosion than expensive crude, but we give our clients the information that they need to make these important decisions and protect their assets. Within midstream applications, we also monitor sea water wear and help our clients with these decisions as well.

ORME: How do you view the market in the Middle East for your technology, and how are you looking to develop your business in the region?

NB: We feel that the Middle East is an untapped region for us. First, we deployed our technology in Northern Iraq followed by the west coast of Saudi Arabia. We maintain an active dialogue with the major placer in region as we aim to improve profitability for our customers.

ORME: To what extent is the low oil price affecting your business globally, and in the Middle East in particular?

NB: Unlike the producers in the region, we have been largely unaffected by the drop in oil price. In fact, we may be more in demand as we are there to improve our customers profitability through better and quicker information. With us, decisions can be made with more knowledge of our customers assets, so we help businesses run more efficiently. As oil production in the Middle East has not slowed down, we can help maximise our clients profitability when the oil price has dropped.