The Challenge
Methane venting from pneumatic devices at remote well pads and compressor sites created continuous greenhouse gas emissions, increased reporting requirements, and hindered progress toward zero‑emissions operations. Operators needed a reliable way to eliminate venting while maintaining fail‑safe performance, process control accuracy, and operational reliability—without adding power infrastructure or complexity at remote locations.
The Solution
Spartan Controls implemented electro‑hydraulic electric actuator technology to eliminate methane venting at the source. The self‑contained actuators use stored hydraulic energy—via gas‑charged accumulators or internal springs—to provide fail‑safe positioning without relying on instrument gas.
Each actuator integrates the reservoir, control electronics, and actuation system into a single unit, enabling precise, high‑speed control with advanced diagnostics through DCMlink and real‑time HART data. The solution requires no external UPS, batteries, or supercapacitors and supports non‑intrusive setup via local interface or Bluetooth, making it well suited for remote installations.
Each actuator integrates the reservoir, control electronics, and actuation system into a single unit, enabling precise, high‑speed control with advanced diagnostics through DCMlink and real‑time HART data. The solution requires no external UPS, batteries, or supercapacitors and supports non‑intrusive setup via local interface or Bluetooth, making it well suited for remote installations.
The Value
The electric actuator solution delivered measurable environmental and operational benefits:
- 100% elimination of methane venting from actuator and control functions
- Reduced emissions reporting burden, supporting zero‑emissions well site objectives
- Improved process control accuracy and response speed, enhancing operational performance
- Lower lifecycle costs, eliminating fuel gas use, backup power systems, and multiple device configurations
- Improved reliability and safety, with built‑in diagnostics and fail‑safe functionality