For decades, discharge pressure has been the default metric for controlling gas injection. While easy to monitor, it’s notoriously imprecise. A slight bump in pressure can trigger a chain reaction: over-injection, recycling, and system shutdowns. These outcomes are exactly what SC aims to eliminate with FieldTune™.
SC rental units utilizing FieldTune™ in the field have shifted from pressure-based control to calculated MCF targeting. Instead of reacting to symptoms, operators are now able to set an exact flow rate based on what the reservoir actually needs. The result? A smarter, more stable system and a major step forward in performance.
The Problem with Pressure-Based Logic
Discharge pressure may offer a fast read, but it’s a poor indicator of actual flow. In low-flow conditions, operators often respond by increasing pressure. Without understanding the true volumetric demand, that response risks pushing the well beyond its limits, leading to over-injection, increased recycle, and potential system trips.
In short, pressure told part of the story, but not the part that mattered most.
A Smarter Way to Inject
FieldTune™ replaces guesswork with logic-driven control. Using onboard sensors and flow calculations, the system allows operators to target a precise gas flow rate in MCF/day. Once a target is set, FieldTune™ adjusts compressor output to hit that target, minimizing the risk of overcorrecting.
Better still, those targets can be set remotely. With two-factor authentication and secure mobile access, operators can monitor and modify injection settings from their phone, improving both responsiveness and safety.
Measurable Gains in Uptime and Control
Since deploying FieldTune™, SC rental units have seen:
- Fewer shutdowns due to pressure-related trips
- Reduced gas recycling from over-injection
- More consistent, stable well performance
- Less need for on-site manual adjustments
The FieldTune™ system also works in tandem with a suction controller, forming a closed-loop control architecture that actively balances inlet and discharge dynamics. This dual-layer logic enhances runtime and ensures optimal compression through changing well conditions.
Compression, Reinvented
FieldTune™ isn’t just smarter; it’s operational intelligence built by experts who’ve run compressors in the field. While production gains will vary by application, the leap in control and efficiency is already proving itself across SC’s rental fleet and beyond.
The takeaway is clear: when your compressor can think for itself, you don’t have to guess.