Manual tank gauging is a common oilfield activity that has resulted in multiple worker deaths in recent years. By using work practice control, operators can reduce the risks it poses significantly.

Every year, in survey after survey, oil and gas producers cite environmental health and safety as their No. 1 priority. Many, however, continue to perform routine oilfield tasks that can be  improved significantly by employing available technology.

Manual tank gauging is a labor-intensive process that requires a worker to travel to a production tank, climb a ladder to the top, open a hatch, and drop one end of a tape measure down to check liquid level. Vapors released can affect eyes, lungs, and the central nervous system.

In addition to dramatically improving worker safety, automatic tank gauging using radar level measurement technology has a number of advantages:

• Cost/labor savings
• Improved accuracy
• Reduced emissions
• Enhanced visibility

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