Imperial sells Permasense to Emerson

US-based automation specialist Emerson has agreed to acquire the UK-based Permasense Limited, a provider of non-intrusive corrosion monitoring technologies for the offshore and onshore oil production industry.

Permasense is Imperial Innovations Group’s portfolio company for which Emerson paid an initial consideration of £30.6 million ($39.3M) in cash on completion.

Further amounts of up to £10.0 million ($12.8M) may be paid in addition, subject to the Permasense business achieving certain performance targets during the next 13 months, Imperial said in a statement on Monday.

Permasense monitoring systems use sensor technology, wireless data delivery, and advanced analytics to continuously monitor for metal loss from corrosion or erosion in pipes, pipelines or vessels, and deliver data from even the harshest environments.

Emerson said that the acquisition represents another step forward in its strategy to invest in its core business platforms and expand in markets that hold significant long-term growth opportunity.

Mike Train, president of Emerson Automation Solutions, said: “Wireless non-intrusive corrosion monitoring is a transformational shift that helps customers immediately understand the health and integrity of their infrastructure in real-time and enable them to fully optimize their operations while maximizing safety.”

The Permasense product line will become part of Emerson’s Rosemount portfolio of measurement and analytical technologies. Permasense technologies complement Emerson’s Roxar intrusive corrosion monitoring and non-intrusive sand management systems.

Lal Karsanbhai, group vice president for measurement and analytical technologies at Emerson Automation Solutions, added: “The addition of patented Permasense technologies along with our existing Roxar technologies enables Emerson to provide customers with a complete corrosion monitoring solution and a clearer picture in the performance of their infrastructure based on what they’re demanding of it and the strategies needed to optimize production.”

Central to Permasense corrosion monitoring systems are sensors that employ proven ultrasonic wall thickness measurement principles. The sensors are battery powered and communicate wirelessly, which minimizes the cost of installation and enables use in remote areas and on a large scale. The sensors are also designed so they can be deployed in hazardous areas.