Evaluation and Optimization of an Export Gas Compressor in a Natural Gas Project

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology Vol. 45; no. 12; pp. 2211 - 2222
• Main Author: Noaman, Abdelaziz A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frankfurt Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Capital expenditures; Central process facilities; Export gas compressor; Gas compressors; Gas export pipeline; Gas pipelines; Gases; Greenhouse gases; Natural gas; Operating expenditure; Optimization; Pipelines; Referendums; Total capital expenditure
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.202200080

The possibility of removing the export gas compressor from the central process facilities (CPF) in a gas project and enlarging the size of the gas export pipeline from the CPF to reduce the total capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX) is evaluated. Adding the export gas compressor to the CPF will increase the carbon footprint of the CPF, the power requirements of the CPF, and the emission of greenhouse gases. The CPF equipment would be designed for a lower operating pressure which leads to larger equipment sizes. PIPESIM and HYSYS software were used to simulate the CPF and different sizes of the export gas pipeline. With an export gas pipeline size smaller than 24”, an export gas compressor is required for the CPF, and as the pipeline size is reduced, the compressor power requirement will rise. CAPEX and OPEX comparisons were conducted between adding the export gas compressor or enlarge the size of the export gas pipeline. CAPEX and OPEX decline with larger pipeline size. The possibility of eliminating the export gas compressor is evaluated, while retaining the central process facilities arrival pressure close to 50 bar. The gas export pipeline should be sized for a relatively low pressure drop to avoid the need for an export compressor. A range of pipeline sizes and their effect on the requirement and duty of an export gas compressor are investigated and discussed.