Specifying and selecting equipment for gas compression projects is a complex process involving many engineering disciplines. All the alternatives and the possible interaction between the various components in the system should be carefully examined by the project team. The accumulation of errors in evaluating the system characteristics during the project engineering phase, can lead to the gas compression system not performing to design specifications. This paper describes the problems encountered with the compressor package during the commissioning of four gas turbine-driven compressor stations for gas lift in one of the onshore oilfields in the Middle East. Solutions to these problems are also outlined.
