Troubleshooting Gas Processing Facilities - PF-49G

This course will cover how to establish and apply a general troubleshooting methodology as well as how to conduct process/equipment specific troubleshooting related to gas production and processing facilities. Definitions of good/normal performance will be discussed for each process/ equipment type covered. Data gathering, validation and utilization procedures will be discussed. Criteria to use when evaluating possible problem solutions will also be covered. Real-world exercises will be utilized throughout the class to reinforce the learning objectives. Both onshore and offshore facilities will be discussed. It is assumed that course participants have a solid understanding of how typical gas production and processing facilities work, including the commonly used processes and equipment involved. This course will not provide in-depth coverage of fundamentals.

Process/Facilities engineers with 5-10 years of experience, facilities engineering team leaders/ supervisors, and senior facilities operational personnel.

• The difference between troubleshooting, optimization, and debottlenecking
• How to recognize trouble when it is occurring
• How to develop a methodical approach to troubleshooting
• To recognize how different components of a facility interact with each other, and the significance of these interactions
• How to gather, validate, and utilize the data needed for troubleshooting
• The criteria to be considered for identifying the best solution when several feasible solutions are available
• Typical causes of problems, and their solutions, for the main types of processes and equipment used in upstream/midstream gas production and processing operations

• Understanding the similarities and differences between troubleshooting vs optimization vs debottlenecking
• Types of gas production and processing facilities
• System trouble vs component/equipment-specific trouble
• Defining good/normal operation
• Quantifying the cost of the trouble
• Gathering, validating, and utilization of data (types of data, sources of data, data quality and validation, using the data)
• Developing a step-by-step troubleshooting methodology/flowchart
• Identifying the best solution (criteria for defining best)
• Processing and major equipment modules covered include gas-liquid separation, gas sweetening (amine focus), glycol dehydration, molecular sieve dehydration, shell and tube heat exchangers, NGL recovery processes, fractionation facilities, reciprocating compressors, and centrifugal compressors