Wireless Tank Level Monitoring Solution for Oil & Gas

THE NEED

A California-based energy company with a century-long history of producing oil and gas wanted to update its previous process of monitoring tank levels. Thousands of 25-gallon tanks were manually checked on a fixed schedule using a dipstick. This process was time-consuming, inefficient and costly; therefore, an alternative solution was sought to automate this process

THE SOLUTION

The company’s San Joaquin Valley Business Unit (SJVBU) deployed LoRaWAN® Smart Lids, Tank Level Monitoring Devices designed by RIOT Edge Solutions to automate remote tank level readings and transmit data through a private and secure LoRaWAN® network to a chemical fulfillment platform. Hazardous rated LoRaWAN® ultrasonic tank lids are deployed on top of chemical tanks at the wellhead to measure chemical levels. The MultiTech LENS® application provides centralized management for LoRaWAN® end devices, as well as configuration and control of MultiTech gateways. The smart lids are powered by a 10-year battery life and can transmit data over a Long RangeWide Area Network (LoRaWAN) and over 10 miles in ideal conditions. Network security is of paramount importance, LoRaWAN enabled them to deploy their own network –without relying on a third-party network operator.

The initial deployment of 3,000 Smart Lids and 30 MultiTech LoRaWAN® gateways paid for itself within the first year.