BEIJING /Marketwire/ -- RAE Systems Inc., a leading global provider of rapidly deployable sensor networks that enable customers to identify safety and security threats in real time, delivered a suite of custom wireless gas-detection systems and over 150 handheld QRAE II 4-gas monitors to fully protect the workers on eight mobile oil drilling and explorations rigs at PetroChina's Changqing oil field operation in Shanxi Province in northwest China. The system was developed at the request of PetroChina after the earlier successful deployment of fixed systems. Each wireless system consists of multiple wireless toxic and explosive gas wireless monitors and a controller.
"Expanding our reach into China's energy sector is a high priority," stated Robert Chen, RAE Systems President and CEO. "We provided PetroChina with a comprehensive wireless solution that can be easily reconfigured in a matter of hours each time the drilling is moved, versus up to several weeks using our conventional fixed systems. We expect this to be a model that will be followed by other large oil fields in China as no expensive and time-consuming wiring of fixed sensors is required."
As part of PetroChina's phased expansion of the Changqing oil field, this is the largest deployment of wireless gas-detection systems and handheld monitors to date in China and is RAE Systems' second toxic gas sensor system delivery to this location. In 2005, PetroChina purchased fixed gas-detection systems containing 240 points of RAEGuard fixed toxic-gas transmitters for use in fixed pumping-station applications. The Changqing oil field is estimated to have 3 billion metric tons of oil reserves and is currently pumping more than 5 million tons of crude oil per year.
"We were pleased to be selected to provide this new level of safety and unseen-threat awareness for Chinese oil field workers. PetroChina chose a combination of RAE Systems' wireless solutions for its ease of deployment, low cost of ownership, reconfiguration flexibility, and minimal infrastructure requirements," said Fei Shen, RAE Systems Vice President for China operations.
The wireless sensor systems deployed at this location had to be regionalized to conform to radio and intrinsic-safety regulations. The remote hydrogen sulfide and explosive gas sensors on each drilling rig form a network that wirelessly connects to each drilling rig's control room. The systems were inexpensive to install and quick to deploy because no power or signal wiring were required and each sensor operates for six months on batteries. As an extra safety feature, each toxic gas transmitter has the capability to notify the controller when it needs to be serviced.
The QRAE II handheld toxic gas monitor is a full-featured, compact, one-to-four plug-in sensors gas detector for the detection of combustibles, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide. Key features include easy-to-change, externally accessed battery packs (available in rechargeable and alkaline versions), sensors and filter, a water-resistant case, and new state-of-the-art SPE oxygen sensor technology with extended life.
For more information on RAE Systems fixed and wireless toxic gas detection solutions for China, please visit our China Web site.
About RAE Systems
RAE Systems is a leading global provider of rapidly deployable sensor networks that enable customers to identify safety and security threats in real time. Products include multisensor chemical detection, wireless gas detection, and radiation monitoring networks for energy production and refining, industrial, and environmental safety, as well as public and government first-responder security sectors. RAE Systems' products are used in over 65 countries by many of the world's leading corporations and by many U.S. government agencies. For more information about RAE Systems, please visit the company's Web site.