1 Jul, 2016
Determining Traces of Methanol in the Gas Sweetening Process
This tip will consider the presence of methanol in the sour gas stream and determine the quantitative traces of methanol ending up in the sweet gas, flash gas and acid gas streams. To achieve this, the tip simulates a simplified MDEA gas sweetening unit by computer.
Read More >6 Jun, 2016
Projecting the Performance of Adsorption Dehydration Process
PetroSkills | John M Campbell’s May 2015 tip of the month (TOTM) presented a method which allows the users to estimate the decline of their adsorbent based on only one performance test run (PTR) for molecular sieve dehydrators using low pressure regeneration. This permits early formulation of a credible action plan. Site-specific factors will determines an adsorption unit’s decline curve. Consequently, conducting more than PTR is highly recommended. A poorly performing inlet separator, for example, could result in a unit exhibiting a more pronounced decline than indicated by the generic performance decline curves.
Read More >2 May, 2016
Benefits of Having Side Water-Draw in a Condensate Stabilizer Column – Part 2
This tip is the follow up of the previous tip (April 2016) which investigated the benefits of having a water-draw in a condensate stabilizer column. It will use a commercial simulation software to simulate the performance of an operating stabilizer. In order to take into account the non-ideality of water, the tip will perform three-phase (vapor, liquid hydrocarbon, and aqueous phases) calculations on the trays with excessive water rates. Specifically, it will study the influence of the column temperature profile and water partial pressure profile on the optimum location of water-draw tray in the column. It will also study the impact of the upstream 3-phase separator temperature on the reboiler, condenser, feed-stabilized condensate heat exchanger duties, and the reflux pump power. The tip will present a summary of the computer simulation results and the key diagrams for the same case study.
Read More >4 Apr, 2016
Benefits of Having Side Water-Draw in a Condensate Stabilizer Column: Part One
This tip will investigate the benefits of having a water-draw in a condensate stabilizer. It will use a commercial simulation software to simulate the performance of an operating stabilizer. In order to take into account the non-ideality of water, the tip will perform three-phase (vapor, liquid hydrocarbon, and aqueous phases) calculations on the trays with excessive water rates.
Read More >4 Mar, 2016
What is the Impact of Light Hydrocarbons on the Natural Gas Hydrate Formation Conditions?
This tip will extend the previous studies on the natural gas hydrate formation phase behavior. Specifically, it will study the impact of light hydrocarbons on the formation of hydrate in a natural gas mixture.
Read More >4 Feb, 2016
Correlations for Conversion between True and Reid Vapor Pressures (TVP and RVP)
Accurate measurement and prediction of crude oil and natural gas liquid (NGL) products vapor pressure are important for safe storage and transportation, custody transfer, minimizing vaporization losses and environmental protection. Vapor pressure specifications are typically stated in Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) or/and True Vapor Pressure (TVP). In addition to the standard procedures for their measurements, there are rigorous and shortcut methods for their estimation and conversion.
Read More >20 Jan, 2016
What is the impact of Nitrogen on the Natural Gas Hydrate Formation Conditions?
Previously, we've discussed the hydrate phase behavior of sour natural gas mixtures. Specifically, we looked at carbon dioxide inhibits the hydrate formation slightly while hydrogen sulfide enhances hydrate formation considerably. This Tip of the Month (TOTM) will extend the previous study on the natural gas hydrate formation phase behavior. Specifically, it will study the impact of nitrogen on the formation of hydrate in a natural gas mixture.
Read More >6 Jan, 2016
How Do We Use the Results from Velocity Analysis in our Seismic Data?
Seismic velocities derived from moveout velocity analysis can be used to interpolate between wells or may be the only velocity information available in a new basin. This white paper will explore how we use the results from the velocity analyses, make corrections for lag, and account for floating datum.
Read More >7 Dec, 2015
Improvements in the Steels Used in Oil and Gas Processing Equipment over the Last Half Century
In the post-World war II period, the steels used in the oil and gas industry were quite different from what we use today. This tip of the month (TOTM) presents a brief overview of improvements in the steels used in oil and gas processing equipment for safer and more reliable operations.
Read More >9 Nov, 2015
Adsorption Dehydration: Two-Tower vs. Three-Tower System
There are different process configurations for adsorption dehydration systems. The most common arrangements are two-tower and three-tower configurations. In past articles, we have discussed the efficient operation of molecular sieve dehydration units. Specifically, the benefits of standby time in the adsorption dehydration processes and impact of feed gas conditions. This month’s Tip of the Month compares the required size of major equipment for the two-tower system with the three-tower system, considering a number of key parameters.
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