Improving Compressor Performance to Reduce Loss Production Opportunities in Oil and Gas Production
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: This paper focuses on improving compressor performance of two compressors in operation by reducing discharge pressure while one compressor is shut down. The aim is to minimize Loss Production Opportunity (LPO) while carrying out turnaround maintenance on one out of three compressors in parallel connection. Historic data was studied and analysed with particular attention to compressor performance improvement as a function of suction pressure, discharge pressure, power and efficiency. Discharge pressure was considered as the preferred decision variable for improving the compressor performance due to its ease of control and its minimal impact on the process facilities upstream of the gas compressor. A step change of 5 bar at a time, up to 15bar (drop from 360 to 345 bar) was simulated with prediction that 1bar change in pressure will gain about 0.634kg/s or 2282.4kg/hr of flow rate (2.0mmscfd) for the two compressors. ACompSIM simulation software was utilized for this study. The results were validated with field data from recent turnaround maintenance of one of the gas compressors with percentage deviation of 83% of the predicted throughput. A graph of pressure ratio plotted against efficiency indicated an improvement in efficiency, though minimal, as pressure ratio decreased. The actual LPO saved was about 11MBOPD which amounts to about 230MBOPD for the 21 days duration of the turnaround. The cost saving was estimated at $21MM. The reduction of discharge pressure as a control variable, considering the allowable limits due to reservoir constraint, improves the performance of centrifugal compressors.
Institution: Rivers State University
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W92599516