Gas Plant Process and Start Up Philosophy Or NGL Plant Startup and Troubleshooting

Introduction

During the last twenty years, natural gas (NG) has become the fuel of choice. It is available in large quantities, it is relatively easy to transport and it burns cleanly. The problem with natural gas is that it is often found at a distance from its market. Its market may also be limited by the previous economic history of the potential purchasing country. Natural gas processing technology is thus dominated by the need to prepare the gas for long-distance transportation, either by pipeline or by ships (as a liquid). The main markets for natural gas are the domestic and industrial fuel market in developed countries and as fuel for electrical power stations. In some countries with the potential to produce smaller quantities of gas it is necessary to consider other potential uses such as fertilizer production and vehicle fuel. In order to be satisfactory to the market place the gas coming from the reservoir may require little processing. In the extreme case of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production or gas-to-liquid (GTL) conversion for the manufacture of clean, easily transportable fuels, the produced gas may need extensive treatment prior to delivery. The completion of LNG schemes can be one of the most expensive projects undertaken by the hydrocarbon process industries. Depending upon the type of reservoir and the composition of the produced gas, the gas plant may also contain extensive facilities for the production of the associated liquid petroleum gases of propane and butanes. This will be particularly relevant if the natural gas processing plant is of gas associated with oil production.

Objectives

The aims of the course are to give an introduction to natural gas production, processing, and transportation technologies. General concepts are introduced which enable all participants to have a basic understanding of the needs and requirements of natural gas production, purification, the production of natural gas liquids through to liquefied natural gas production, transportation and re-gasification. The course aims to give attendees the following:

• Nature of gas reservoirs, composition and characteristics of natural gas, and exploration for natural gas.
• Drilling and the production of associated and non-associated natural gas.
• The process technologies for the removal of water, solids, and other impurities from natural gas.
• The requirements for gas compression and pipeline transportation.
• The technology of the segregation of liquefied petroleum gases and natural gas liquids from the NG.
• Modern technologies for the production, transportation, and re-gasification of LNG.

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies, and presentations on best practice. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants on what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations. The online course is conducted online using MS-Teams/ClickMeeting.

Who Should Attend?

All those working in the petrochemical, oil, and gas process industries with a need to understand the complete gas production train from the reservoir through to the sales point. The course will serve as an introduction to gas technology for those who are unfamiliar with it but will also assist those who need the ability to progress to a detailed knowledge of some part of the gas supply train. These will include geoscientists, petroleum engineers, production engineers, trainee process engineers, plant operators, and economists.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction and Overview

• History of the Natural Gas Sector Characteristics of Natural Gas
• Physical Description, Composition, and Properties
• Transport Properties
• Heating Value
• Thermodynamic (State) Properties
• Equilibrium/Phase Behavior Natural Gas Reservoirs and Exploration
• Chemical Origins of NG
• Sedimentation and Reservoir geology
• Modern Exploration
• Geographical Studies, Geophysical Surveys, Well Logs, Data Analysis

Day 2: Natural Gas Drilling and Production

• Rotary Drilling Equipment and Systems
• Drilling Operations
• Well Pressure Balance and Blow Out
• Directional and Offshore Drilling
• Well Completion, Testing, and Stimulation
• Primary and Enhanced Recovery Methods
• Offshore Production
• Production Profiles and Recovery Estimation
• Problem Well Analysis Natural Gas Processing and Utilization Strategies
• Historical and Modern Approaches
• Processing Objectives and Restrictions
• Natural Gas Products and Specifications
• Associated v. Non-Associated Natural Gas
• Modern Approaches: CNG, LNG, GTL, NGL, Condensate Free Liquids and Solids Separation
• Well Stream Separators: Functions, Design, Operations
• Multi-Stage Separators
• Solid Filtration and Filter Separators: Functions, Design, Operations

Day 3: Hydrates

• Hydrate Characteristics
• Hydrate Formation and Thermodynamics
• Preventing Hydrate Formation Dehydration
• Effect of the Presence of Water
• Approaches to Dehydration of Natural Gas
• Absorption: Equipment, Solvents, Operations, Regeneration
• Adsorption: Process, Adsorbent Selection, Operation
• Gas Permeation Dehydration Hydrocarbon Fractionation and Purification
• Thermodynamics of Refrigeration
• Isenthalpic and Isentropic Flash Refrigeration Processes
• External Cycle Refrigeration: Compression and Absorption
• Fractionation by Low-Temperature Distillation
• Oil Absorption
• Selective Adsorption
• Condensate Stabilization
• C2+ Fractionation
• Impact of Presence of Water Vapor (and Hydrates) on Fractionation NATURAL GAS TREATING
• Chemical Removal of Acid Gases
• Physical Absorption Removal of Acid Gases
• Adsorption
• Gas Permeation and Low-T Distillation
• LPG and C5+ Sweetening
• Sulfur Recovery
• Nitrogen and Helium Removal
• Mercury Removal

Day 4: Compression and expansion

• Compressor Functions and Classification
• Theory of Compression
• Reciprocating Compressors
• Reciprocating Compressor Selection and Operations
• Turbine-Drive Centrifugal Compressors
• Turbo expanders: Configuration, Design, Operations Measurement, Storage, and Transportation
• Natural Gas Flow, Temperature, and Specific Gravity Measurement
• NGL Metering
• Natural Gas Sampling and Testing
• Natural Gas Storage: Depleted Reservoir, Aquifer, Salt Cavern
• Cryogenic Storage
• Natural Gas Transportation chains: Pipelines, LNG, Chemical Conversion, Electricity
• Natural Gas Pipelines: Design, Construction, Operations, Offshore LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS
• Historical Development
• Cryogenics Cascade Cycles
• Commercial Liquefaction Processes

Day 5: Liquefied Natural Gas (Continued)

• Liquefaction and Treating Operations
• Transport Tankers: Commercial Designs and Operations
• LNG Storage: Tank Designs and Statistics
• Boil-Off During Transport and Storage
• LNG Re-Gasification: Commercially Available Designs and Operations Gas-to-Liquids and Other Chemical Conversion Technologies
• Historical Development
• Process and Chemistry Fundamentals
• Competing Technologies
• Economic Drivers and Strategies
• Current and Anticipated Implementations
• Synergies and End-Use Operations Refinery gas processing
• Crude Oil Composition and Light Ends
• Modern Petroleum Refining and Light Ends Manufacture
• Saturated Gas Plant
• Unsaturated Gas Plant
• Refinery and End-Product Utilization Operations