Offshore oil platforms face some of the most demanding environmental and operating conditions. Under these conditions, operators need rugged and reliable instruments to help monitor, measure, and safely control complex systems. Here are the advantages of metal tube flowmeters in offshore drilling.
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Kostas Sklikas, MBA, Global Product Manager at Brooks Instrument, publishes an article in a recent edition of Oilfield Technology magazine.
HATFIELD, Pa. (USA) May/June 2025 - Oilfield Technology magazine, a leading trade magazine of technical and analytical information for the global upstream oil and gas sector, recently featured the Brooks Instrument MT3809G metal tube variable area flow meter and its role in offshore drilling.
Appearing in the May/June 2025 issue, the article “Offshore Variable Area Flowmeters,” by Kostas Sklikas, MBA, Global Product Marketing Manager, highlights the metal tube variable area (VA) flowmeters, like the MT3809G, delivering durable, accurate flow measurement essential for offshore drilling operations. The MT3809G flow meter is widely used in the oil and gas industry where instrument reliability is critical.
VA flowmeters play a vital role in managing drilling fluids (mud), a complex mix of chemicals designed to cool drill bits, remove cuttings, and maintain wellbore stability. These flowmeters offer engineers precise control over fluid flowrates across changing downhole conditions, which can range from -198°C to 420°C and up to 885 bar of pressure.
Engineered for high performance in corrosive, high-pressure environments, VA meters use rugged materials such as 316/316L dual-certified stainless steel, Hastelloy C-276, Alloy 625, and Titanium GR II. Their mechanical, power-free operation, minimal pressure drop, and exceptional repeatability make them ideal for hazardous areas where reliable performance is non-negotiable.
"Every offshore drill platform has unique environmental and geologic producing conditions that determine the composition of the drilling fluid and the operation of the fluid system," said Sklikas. "These conditions can affect flowmeter selection, including how many meters to incorporate in the system and how their output should be integrated into drilling control operations."
Key selection criteria for offshore applications include application flowrate (ideally operating within 60–80% of the meter’s range), fluid density and viscosity, and housing durability. Brooks' intrinsically safe MT3809G features an IP66/67 NEMA 4X-rated aluminum housing, tested for resistance to water ingress and corrosion.
With a global support network and deep domain expertise, Brooks Instrument helps operators meet regulatory requirements while ensuring uptime. For engineers specifying equipment for offshore oil and gas operations, the proven durability and precision of Brooks’ VA flowmeters make them a go-to solution for critical drilling fluid control.
Read the full article to learn about the advantages of the MT3809G metal tube variable area flow meter in Oilfield Technology magazine by clicking here.
You can also visit the MT3809G metal tube variable area product page to access a data sheet and explanatory videos detailing how the MT3809G is ideal for offshore drilling operations.
