10 Best Practices for Industrial Filtration Solutions in Oil & Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry operates in some of the harshest environments, where equipment is exposed to corrosive elements like salt air, extreme temperature fluctuations, humidity, chemicals, sand, dirt, and grit. Ensuring the longevity of your equipment starts with choosing the right filtration solutions to protect your systems from these aggressive conditions.

Selecting the best filter for your operation requires careful consideration of several factors:

• Type of material being filtered (oil, water, gas)
• Contaminant type and size (solids, hydrogen sulfide, sand, water)
• Operating pressure and temperature
• Flow rate and required filtration efficiency
• Filter media compatibility and maintenance requirements

There is no one-size-fits-all filtration solution, but keeping these critical factors in mind will help you make an informed choice to handle the challenges of maintaining oil pad and fracking equipment.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Oil and Gas Filtration Solutions

1. Understand the Application Requirements

Your application is key when choosing the filtration solutions to best suit the needs and constraints of your current process. When selecting a filtration solution, be sure to evaluate the specific operating conditions, such as:

• Pressure and Temperature Ratings: Ensure filters can withstand system pressures and temperatures.
• Fluid or Gas Type: Match filters to the fluids (e.g., oil, water, gas) or gases being processed.
• Contaminant Type: Consider the contaminants (e.g., solids, hydrogen sulfide, sand, or water) the filter needs to remove.

2. Ensure Compliance with Industry Standards

Regulatory compliance is essential for safety, environmental protection, and operational integrity. Look for filters that meet:

• API (American Petroleum Institute) standards.
• ISO certifications for filter performance and reliability.
• NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) for corrosion resistance.
• MSHA/OSHA standards for safety.

3. Choose Filters Designed for Harsh Environments

Choosing filters specifically designed for harsh environments is important because the oil and gas industry often deals with extreme conditions like high pressure, corrosive fluids, and abrasive particles that can quickly degrade filters and equipment—leading to expensive downtime. Depending on the application, we may recommend:

• Opting for filters made of durable materials such as stainless steel, Inconel, or PTFE to resist corrosion and high temperatures.
• Using specialized filters (e.g., coalescing filters, activated carbon filters) for applications involving hydrogen sulfide or other corrosive chemicals.

4. Prioritize Filtration Efficiency

Contaminants can cause equipment failure, reduced production capacity, increased maintenance costs, and potentially harm the environment. Two key performance indicators to consider:

• Beta ratios: Measure how well a filter traps particles. Higher beta ratios (e.g., Beta Rating ≥ 200) indicate better filtration performance.
• Micron ratings: Indicate the particle size a filter can trap. Choose filters with an appropriate micron rating based on the contaminants to be removed.

5. Ensure System Compatibility

The right filtration system extends equipment life and prevents operational inefficiencies. Consider:

• Ensuring filter compatibility with existing equipment, such as fittings, hoses, and vessels.
• Accounting for chemical and temperature exposure to prevent corrosion or degradation.
• Considering factors like pressure drop, flow rates, and system dynamics.

6. Assess Lifecycle Costs

Think beyond the initial purchase price and consider long-term costs, including maintenance, replacement, energy consumption, disposal, and potential downtime. We recommend:

• Comparing upfront cost, maintenance, replacement frequency, and energy efficiency.
• Investing in filters with a longer lifespan and lower overall operating costs.

7. Partner with Trusted Suppliers

A reliable filtration supplier provides expert advice and ongoing support. Consider suppliers with:

• Proven track record in oil and gas filtration.
• Technical support, certifications, and access to replacement parts.
• Streamlined procurement processes for compatibility and standardization.

>> Parker Oil & Gas Upstream Filtration Products

>> Parker Oil & Gas Midstream Products

8. Implement a Preventive Maintenance Plan

Routine maintenance prevents equipment breakdown, limits downtime, and increases efficiency. Best practices include:

• Regularly monitoring and replacing filters based on manufacturer recommendations or system performance indicators.
• Using condition-based monitoring to adjust replacement intervals.
• Identifying potential issues before they escalate.

9. Consider Multi-Stage Filtration Systems

Some applications require multiple filtration stages for optimal contaminant removal. Recommendations include:

• Using multi-stage systems (e.g., primary, secondary, and polishing filters) for diverse contaminant types or high contamination loads.
• Protecting downstream equipment and enhancing efficiency with a staged filtration approach.

10. Test Before Full Implementation

Testing filtration systems before full deployment ensures proper operation and prevents costly failures. Best practices include:

• Piloting new filters in a small section to ensure compatibility and performance.
• Testing under different flow rates and contaminant levels.
• Adjusting specifications based on observed results before large-scale deployment.

Contaminant Control in Energy: Recommended Filter Types for Oil and Gas Applications

There’s no shortage of filters on the market. Here are some of Parker’s most commonly requested solutions:

1. Particulate Filters

Purpose: Remove solid contaminants (e.g., dirt, sand, rust, debris) from fluids or gases.

Applications:

• Hydraulic systems to protect pumps, valves, and actuators.
• Pipeline operations to ensure clean fluid flow.
• Pre-filtration for coalescing or activated carbon filters.

Key Feature: High dirt-holding capacity to extend operational life.

Example: Parker ParFit Filters – Ideal for hydraulic systems, drilling rigs, and fracking equipment.

2. Coalescing Filters

Purpose: Eliminate liquid aerosols (e.g., water, oil) and fine particulate matter from gas streams.

Applications:

• Gas dehydration in refineries and natural gas processing plants.
• Protection of compressors, turbines, and other equipment from moisture.

Key Feature: High separation efficiency for submicron aerosols.

Example: Parker Balston High-Efficiency Coalescing Filters – Removes 99.99% of oil, water, and particulate aerosols.

3. Activated Carbon Filters

Purpose: Remove contaminants like hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), hydrocarbons, odors, and other organic impurities.

Applications:

• Gas purification in natural gas processing and petrochemical plants.
• Removal of hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in refineries.

Key Feature: Effective removal of trace contaminants and odors.

Example: Parker AC Series Filters – Achieves 99.9999% efficiency in removing oil vapors and odors.

4. High-Pressure Hydraulic Filters

Purpose: Protect hydraulic systems by filtering contaminants under extreme pressure.

Applications: Hydraulic systems on drilling rigs, fracking equipment, and subsea operations.

Key Feature: Durability under extreme pressure and vibration.

Example: Parker H Series Filters – Built for pressures up to 6,000 PSI with advanced contaminant removal.

5. Multi-Stage Filtration Systems

Purpose: Provide comprehensive contaminant removal using a combination of filter types.

Applications:

• Sour gas treatment and refinery processes with high contamination loads.
• Offshore platforms for multiphase fluid separation.

Key Feature: Tailored solutions for specific operational needs.

Example: Parker PECO Multi-Stage Systems – Custom-configured for high-volume processing in oil and gas.

6. Specialty Hydrogen Sulfide Filters

Purpose: Target hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur compounds for removal from gas or liquid streams.

Applications:

• Sour gas processing in midstream operations.
• Protecting hoses and fittings from hydrogen sulfide corrosion.

Key Feature: Designed to handle highly corrosive environments.

Example: Parker PCO2-AC Series Adsorber Filters – Neutralizes hydrogen sulfide while preventing re-release into the system.

7. Bag and Cartridge Filters

Purpose: Economical filtration for bulk solids and liquids.

Applications:

• Pre-filtration in water treatment or fluid processing.
• General-purpose filtration for low-pressure systems.

Key Feature: Simple design and easy replacement.

Example: Parker Fulflo® Filter Cartridges – Large surface area for maximum contaminant retention.

MCE FILTER RESOURCES

MCE: Your Oil and Gas Filtration Partner

Selecting the right filtration system is crucial for protecting your assets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and optimizing performance. MCE offers industry-leading filtration products, expert consultation, and ongoing support, including:

• Inventory management services
• Rental, cleaning, repair, and recovery solutions
• Product recommendations
• Advanced traceability solutions for improved safety and efficiency

Let us know how we can help your company run more effectively with proper filtration selection and support.