< Industries/
midstream-oil-gas

Smart Monitoring for Midstream Oil & Gas — Safe, Efficient, and ATEX-Certified

Have a quote

Quick Overview

Problem

Pipelines, compressor stations, and LNG terminals operate across vast, hazardous areas with limited visibility on critical equipment, creating high downtime and leak risks.

Solution

ATEX-certified wireless sensors (pressure, differential pressure, valve, vibration, temperature, acoustic) provide real-time data on pipeline integrity, filtration, and compressor performance.

Value

↓ Downtime −35 % • ↑ Safety compliance • ROI < 12 months

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified sensors

The Midstream Challenge

Midstream networks transport hydrocarbons over hundreds of kilometers through high-pressure pipelines, storage tanks, and compressor or pumping stations.

Even minor leaks or pressure drops can escalate into environmental and financial disasters.

Traditional monitoring is often fragmented — relying on SCADA alarms, manual sampling, or visual inspection.

The sector’s growing challenge:

how to maintain safe, continuous operations across remote assets — with fewer people on-site, stricter ATEX rules, and tighter ESG reporting.

Sensa.io provides a reliable answer: modular, ATEX-certified sensors that bring continuous visibility and predictive insights to every stage of midstream operations.

Why ATEX and Continuous Monitoring Are Critical 🔥 ATEX

Most midstream infrastructures operate inside ATEX Zones 1 and 2, where explosive gases or vapors may occur during normal service.

Electrical installations and wiring present ignition risks, especially in compressor rooms and LNG terminals.

Wireless, intrinsically safe sensors solve that problem.

They provide accurate, continuous monitoring without intrusive cabling or hot work, eliminating the need for frequent manual checks.

45 % of midstream leaks occur between inspection intervals — continuous sensing closes that gap completely.

Core Use Cases for

Midstream Oil & Gas

Use Case
Sensor Type
ATEX
ROI/Value
Pipeline Acoustic & Vibration Monitoring (Early Leak & Anomaly Detection) — ATEX
Acoustic
Vibration

Early anomaly alerts, reduces inspection frequency

Tank Farm Overfill & Pressure Monitoring (Storage Safety & Compliance) — ATEX
Pressure
Temperature

Prevents spills, meets HSE standards

Pig Launcher & Receiver Valve Status Monitoring (Operational Safety & Traceability) — ATEX
Valve position

Improves operational safety, traceability

Station Building HVAC ΔP & Air Quality Monitoring (Ventilation Safety & Compliance)
Differential Pressure (ΔP)
Temperature

Protects staff, ensures ventilation efficiency

Pipeline Pressure Profiling (Transient & Surge Detection) — ATEX
Pressure

Detects water hammer, prevents rupture

Pipeline Valve Automation & Position Feedback (Remote Isolation & Safety) — ATEX
Valve position

Enables remote isolation, improves safety

LNG Cryogenic Temperature Monitoring (Process Safety & Asset Integrity) — ATEX
Temperature

Prevents overpressure, ensures cryo integrity

Pump Station Differential Pressure Monitoring (Filter Clogging & Throughput Protection) — ATEX
Differential Pressure (ΔP)

Predicts maintenance, avoids throughput loss

Compressor Vibration Monitoring (Predictive Maintenance & Uptime) — ATEX
Vibration

Avoids breakdowns, reduces OPEX, improves uptime

Pipeline Leak Detection (Pressure & Acoustic Monitoring) — ATEX
Pressure
Acoustic

Early leak localization, prevents product loss & spills

Pipeline Leak Detection (Pressure & Acoustic Monitoring) — ATEX

Compressor Vibration Monitoring (Predictive Maintenance & Uptime) — ATEX

Pump Station Differential Pressure Monitoring (Filter Clogging & Throughput Protection) — ATEX

LNG Cryogenic Temperature Monitoring (Process Safety & Asset Integrity) — ATEX

Pipeline Valve Automation & Position Feedback (Remote Isolation & Safety) — ATEX

Pipeline Pressure Profiling (Transient & Surge Detection) — ATEX

Station Building HVAC ΔP & Air Quality Monitoring (Ventilation Safety & Compliance)

Pig Launcher & Receiver Valve Status Monitoring (Operational Safety & Traceability) — ATEX

Tank Farm Overfill & Pressure Monitoring (Storage Safety & Compliance) — ATEX

Pipeline Acoustic & Vibration Monitoring (Early Leak & Anomaly Detection) — ATEX

Vibration
Acoustic
Differential Pressure (ΔP)
Temperature
Pressure
Valve position
Use Case Sensor Type ATEX ROI/Value
Pipeline Leak Detection (Pressure & Acoustic Monitoring) — ATEX
Pressure
Acoustic
Early leak localization, prevents product loss & spills

How Sensa.io Technology Works

Open Wireless Architecture

All Sensa.io sensors are gateway-agnostic, compatible with any LoRaWAN, MQTT, or 4–20 mA infrastructure.

They connect seamlessly to existing SCADA, DCS, or IoT platforms (Honeywell, Emerson, ABB, Schneider) without additional middleware.

Sensor Design
  • Intrinsically safe (Ex ia) housings, IP68 stainless steel or aluminium
  • 10-year autonomous operation with adaptive transmission
  • 0.1 % FS accuracy for pressure, ±0.2 °C for temperature, ±2 µm/s for vibration

Data Analytics
  • Pressure curves: detect micro-leaks and surges
  • Vibration signatures: identify mechanical fatigue in compressors
  • ΔP trends: predict filter or cooler clogging
  • Acoustic patterns: distinguish real leaks from background noise

Each dataset is processed locally and transmitted securely to your SCADA or cloud dashboard.

Proven ROI and Field Results

Operators who deployed Sensa.io in upstream fields typically achieved:

reduced from hours to minutes
Pipeline leak detection time
−35 %
Compressor downtime
−30 %
Maintenance cost reduction
Case Example

Acoustic & Vibration Detection of Rockfall or Structural Movement (Early Warning & Worker Protection)

Early warning to protect workers underground

Case Example

Gas Vent Line Acoustic & Pressure Anomaly Detection (Methane Hazard Early Warning)

Early detection of dangerous methane releases

Payback: typically < 12 months depending on scope.
Get the ROI Calculator for Upstream Operations

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All Sensa.io sensors for upstream operations comply with:

  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Gas Zones 0–1)
  • Ex ia IIIC T135 °C Db (Dust Zones 20–21)
  • IECEx certification + ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

Each unit is supplied with a Declaration of Conformity, calibration certificate, and maintenance interval guide.

Sensa.io ensures safe digitalisation of midstream assets while maintaining full regulatory compliance.

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

General & Functionality

What is the typical ROI when deploying sensors in upstream production?

Depending on asset criticality and scope, operators generally achieve payback within 6 to 12 months, driven by reduced downtime, lower maintenance overhead, and improved safety compliance.

How are calibration and maintenance handled in ATEX zones?

Sensors are factory-calibrated and include internal digital calibration tables. No field recalibration is required for 5–10 years; visual inspection every 3 years is sufficient.

How are data transmissions secured in remote fields?

All data packets are encrypted end-to-end with AES-128, and communication can run over private LoRaWAN or VPN-secured 4G networks. This guarantees industrial-grade cybersecurity and compliance with IT/OT segmentation policies.

Can Sensa.io sensors monitor hydrate or wax formation in flowlines?

Yes. Temperature sensors placed along the flowline detect critical cooling patterns leading to hydrate or wax build-up. Real-time data allows proactive heating or chemical injection, avoiding costly blockages.

How does acoustic leak detection work in upstream applications?

Acoustic sensors detect high-frequency sound anomalies generated by gas or fluid leaks. When combined with pressure readings, they localise the leak within ±10 m, reducing detection time from hours to minutes.

Can sensors remain active during well interventions or shutdowns?

Yes. Thanks to intrinsically safe (Ex ia) design, sensors can operate continuously in Zone 0 even during interventions, without hot-work permits or risk of ignition.

How do pressure sensors resist sand abrasion and high vibration in wellheads?

Each pressure module uses 316L stainless-steel diaphragms and vibration-proof electronics (rated up to 20 g RMS) with conformal coating. This ensures long-term stability in abrasive and high-shock environments typical of wellhead zones.

How does predictive maintenance with Sensa.io actually reduce OPEX?

By analysing vibration, pressure, or ΔP trends, the system detects anomalies before they escalate. This reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment lifetime, and lowers energy consumption by 10–15 %.

How can Sensa.io sensors be integrated into our SCADA or DCS system?

Integration is immediate through standard industrial protocols: LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, or REST API. Data can feed directly into Honeywell, Emerson, Schneider, or ABB SCADA platforms without middleware.

How long do the batteries last in upstream operations?

Up to 10 years depending on the transmission interval and signal quality. The adaptive power management system automatically adjusts the sending frequency according to the measured parameter’s variability.

What ATEX certifications cover Sensa.io sensors?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Gas Zones 0–2) and Ex ia IIIC T135°C Db (Dust Zones 20–21). They are also IECEx approved and comply with the European Directive 2014/34/EU.

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any LoRaWAN gateway or network?

Yes. Sensa.io sensors are fully gateway-agnostic and connect seamlessly to any LoRaWAN or MQTT-compatible infrastructure — including Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, or private industrial networks. This ensures flexible integration with existing SCADA or IoT systems.

Specific Technical Questions/

Midstream Oil & Gas

What is the typical ROI for a midstream deployment?

Between 6 and 12 months depending on network length and asset criticality; long pipelines show faster returns due to higher leak cost avoidance.

Can these sensors operate in LNG cryogenic applications?

Yes, temperature and pressure sensors are rated down to –196 °C with PTFE-sealed electronics and cryogenic-grade connectors.

What maintenance is required for filters and compressors?

Data-driven maintenance replaces fixed schedules; alerts are triggered by ΔP or vibration threshold breach, reducing manual inspections by 50 %.

How are long-distance networks managed?

LoRaWAN coverage up to 10 km line-of-sight; for larger areas, multiple gateways mesh the network automatically.

Do they interfere with cathodic protection systems?

No. All units are electrically isolated and conformally coated to avoid currents or corrosion effects.

Can the sensors withstand pipeline vibration and temperature fluctuations?

Yes, rated for –40 °C to +85 °C and vibration up to 20 g; sealed IP68 design prevents water ingress and condensation.

How precise is the acoustic leak localisation along pipelines?

Correlation between acoustic and pressure data pinpoints the leak within ±10 m over several kilometres of pipeline.

By clicking "Book a technical demo" you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Text Link

Trusted by a Worldwide Network

With partners in over 20 countries, Sensa IO delivers rugged sensor solutions to the toughest environments — everywhere.