Variable Inlet Guide Vane Losses and Their Effect on Downstream Impeller and Diffuser in Wet Gas Flow

Author(s):  
Levi André B. Vigdal ◽  
Lars E. Bakken

Adopting the innovative technology found in a compressor able to compress a mixture of natural gas and condensate has great potential for meeting future challenges in subsea oil and gas production. Benefits include reduced size, complexity and cost, enhanced well output, longer producing life and increased profits, which in turn offer opportunities for exploiting smaller oil and gas discoveries or extending the commercial life of existing fields. Introducing liquid into a centrifugal compressor creates several thermodynamic and fluid-mechanical challenges. The paper reviews some of the drive mechanisms involved in wet gas compression and views them in the context of the test results presented. An inlet guide vane (IGV) assembly has been installed in a test facility for wet gas compressors and the effect of wet gas on IGV performance documented. The impact of changes in IGV performance on impeller and diffuser has also been documented. The results have been discussed and correction methods compared.

Author(s):  
Trond G. Gru¨ner ◽  
Lars E. Bakken

The development of wet gas compressors will enable increased oil and gas production rates and enhanced profitable operation by subsea well-stream boosting. A more fundamental knowledge of the impact of liquid is essential with regard to the understanding of thermodynamic and fluid dynamic compressor behavior. An open-loop impeller test facility was designed to investigate the wet gas performance, aerodynamic stability, and operation range. The facility was made adaptable for different impeller and diffuser geometries. In this paper, the wet gas test facility and experimental work concerning the impact of wet gas on a representative full-scale industrial impeller are presented. The centrifugal compressor performance was examined at high gas volume fractions and atmospheric inlet conditions. Air and water were used as experimental fluids. Dry and wet gas performance was experimentally verified and analyzed. The results were in accordance with previous test data and indicated a stringent influence of the liquid phase. Air/water tests at atmospheric conditions were capable of reproducing the general performance trend of hydrocarbon wet gas compressor tests at high pressure.


Author(s):  
Levi André B. Vigdal ◽  
Lars E. Bakken

The introduction of wet gas compression provides the opportunity for future cost-effective production of oil and gas. A wet gas compressor consists of a robust unit able to increase the pressure of untreated natural gas. This permits longer transport of hydrocarbons without topside facilities if installed at the well head. Obvious benefits include prolonging the life of existing wells and the possibility of exploiting smaller hydrocarbon sources otherwise considered non-commercial. Successful development of robust wet gas compressors requires further understanding of the phenomena which occur when liquid is present in the gas stream. Understanding the way the presence of liquid affects the velocity triangle and slip factor is essential for the design of wet gas compressors and for comprehending their response to varying levels of liquid content in the inlet stream. An experimental study has been performed with various levels of liquid fractions and inlet swirl angles. Impeller-exit velocity components and shift in slip factors are presented within the experimental test boundary. A shift in velocity components and slip factor is experienced with increasing liquid content and inlet guide vane (IGV) setting angle. Consequently, existing slip factor correlations not utilizing inlet flow characteristics are not valid for wet gas flow or with impeller inlet swirl.


Author(s):  
Levi André B. Vigdal ◽  
Lars E. Bakken

Improving offshore gas production requires the process compressor to be moved closer to the wellhead. This will yield such benefits as enhanced well output, longer well life and the possibility of exploiting smaller fields. However, the harsh environment, remote location and variable two-phase characteristics of an untreated gas stream pose increased challenges for operational performance and robustness. Several methods are available to ensure that a process compressor maintains constant outlet pressure regardless of inlet stream properties and flow. Two pressure-ratio control methods — variable inlet guide vanes (IGV) and variable speed — have been investigated. Their effect on diffuser stability has been tested and analysed in dry and wet conditions. Increased diffuser stability in wet conditions with IGV has been discussed and results are presented.


Author(s):  
Kumarswamy Karpanan ◽  
Craig Hamilton-Smith

Subsea oil and gas production involves assemblies such as trees, manifolds, and pipelines that are installed on sea floor. Each of these components is exposed to severe working conditions throughout its operational life and is difficult and expensive to repair or retrieve installed. During installation and operation, a rig/platform and several supply vessels are stationed on the waterline directly above the well and installed equipment below. If any object is to be dropped overboard, it presents a hazard to the installed equipment. A subsea tree comprises of a number of critical components such as valves and hydraulic actuators, in addition to several electrical components such as the subsea control module and pressure/temperature gauges. Their ability to operate correctly is vital to the safe production of oil and gas. If an object were to impact and damage these components, resulting in their inability to operate as intended, the consequences could be severe. In this paper, a typical subsea tree frame is analyzed to ensure its ability to withstand the impact from an object accidentally dropped overboard. This was accomplished using nonlinear dynamic Finite Element Analysis (FEA). In this study, the framework was struck by a rigid body at terminal velocity, resulting in a given impact energy. Displacements and resultant strain values at critical locations were then compared to allowable limits to ensure compliance to the design requirements.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. V. Kazantsev

The article presents the results of the author’s research of the impact of a wide range of restrictions and prohibitions applied to theRussian Federation, used by a number of countries for their geopolitical purposes and as a means of competition. The object of study was the impact of anti-Russian sanctions on the development of Oil & Gas industry and defence industry complex ofRussiain 2014–2016. The purpose of the analysis was to assess the impact of sanctions on the volume of oil and gas production, the dynamics of foreign earnings from the export of oil and gas, and of foreign earnings from the sale abroad of military and civilian products of the Russian defence industry complex (DIC). As the research method, the author used the economic analysis of the time series of statistical data presented in open statistics and literature. The author showed that some countries use the anti-Russian sanctions as a means of political, financial, economic, scientific, and technological struggle with the leadership ofRussiaand Russian economic entities. It is noteworthy that their introduction in 2014 coincided with the readiness of theUSto export gas and oil, which required a niche in the international energy market. The imposed sanctions have affected the volume of oil production inRussia, which was one of the factors of reduction of foreign earnings from the country’s oil and gas exports. However, the Russian defence industry complex has relatively well experienced the negative impact of sanctions and other non-market instruments of competition


2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
Venner Bettina ◽  
Wood Chris ◽  
Welsh Kevin ◽  
Mossman Fiona ◽  
Goiak Paul ◽  
...  

Santos, Beach Energy and Senex Energy are collaborating with the SA Government and TAFE SA to set up a hub for onshore oil and gas training in Adelaide. The training facility provides a fully immersive simulated oil and gas production environment, as well as static equipment displays for demonstration and educational purposes. It is used for technical training, including safety, environmental and sustainable operational principles and key maintenance activities. The simulated production environment includes different pump types, gas compressors, a pig launcher and receiver, gas metering skid, field separator and small tanks, as well as associated pressure safety valves, flow valves and other instruments. Water is used to simulate oil and air is used to simulate gas flow. The static equipment display includes various valve types, flanges and a wellhead. Santos, as operator of the SA Cooper Basin joint venture (of which Beach Energy is a member), has committed significant oil and gas production and mechanical equipment, engineering design, transportation and installation of the training facility’s equipment. The SA Government, Senex Energy and Beach Energy have committed funding for fit-out, capital works and the running of the facility for the first two years. Industry partners GPA Engineering, Fyfe Engineering, Logicamms, Veolia Environmental Services, Toll Energy, Transfield Services, Ottoway Engineering, Bureau Veritas, MRC Group, Max Cranes, Whitham Media Australia, Inductabend, Toyota Australia, James Walker Australia, Coventry Fasteners, Centralian Controls and Central Diesel are providing expertise and services. The training facility officially opened on 16 February 2015


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Nathan Meehan

Abstract Is this the end of petroleum engineering as we know it? This prescient question led to the most downloaded paper from onepetro.org in 2019. The events of 2020 resulted in massive layoffs, decreased hiring and many fewer students studying petroleum engineering. In the 2019 paper the authors claimed that the future would hold fewer petroleum engineering jobs and very different types of jobs. This paper incorporates a broader range of data and proposes some specific ways to improve prospects for the discipline of petroleum engineering. The opportunity for a near-term recovery is very high as the world overcomes COVID-19 issues, oil demand recovers and the impact of chronic underinvestment in oil and gas production looms. The world's largest producers have very different abilities to respond to a near-term uptick in demand. Energy transition pressures continue to cap growth in demand; however, demand for petroleum engineers is expected to grow under almost every scenario, but not to pre-2015 levels. Increased demand in CCUS and jobs that improve sustainability of oil and gas will continue to outpace conventional jobs. Data analytics will play an increasingly large role in engineering activities. The "Is it the end?" paper started with a question, a question that I first heard asked in 1977 at the SPE Annual Fall Technical Conference and Exhibition in Denver to 1972 SPE President M. Scott Kraemer. I have heard it many times since then and asked it many times. "Would you recommend that your son or daughter study petroleum engineering?" The answer to that question was pretty easy and unanimously positive in 1977. Keep this question in mind as we review what has happened since the prior paper came out.


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