Workshop on Fundamentals of Natural Gas Compressor System: (Selection, Configuration, Maintenance and Troubleshooting)

Program overview:

This is an intensive 5-day course providing a comprehensive overview of natural gas compression systems. The focus is on equipment selection, type, unit, and station configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting as well as integration of these units in the process scheme and control strategy in upstream and midstream oil and gas facilities. The material of the course is applicable to field production facilities, pipelines, gas plants, and offshore systems.

This course is directly relevant to those working in process plants and targeting zero tolerance for equipment failures, particularly including industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, pharmaceutical, and waste and water treatment.

For whom:

The course is designed for end-user plant personnel responsible for the installation, operation, maintenance and reliability of process equipment, including those working in management, engineering, operations and technician roles. Engineers, senior technicians, and system operators designing, operating, and those maintaining pump and compressor systems in oil and gas facilities will equally benefit from this program

Learning objectives:

At the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• selection of appropriate integrated pump and compressors units (drivers, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary systems);
• integration of the various compression station units with the upstream and downstream piping and process equipment;
• evaluation of pump and compressor units and their drivers in multiple train configurations, parallel and series;
• identification of key local and remote-control elements of pumps and compressors as well as their drivers;
• define major life-cycle events, such as changes in flows, fluid composition, and operating conditions that can affect equipment selection and operating strategies;
• assess of key pump hydraulics and compressor thermodynamics, and their effect on selection and operations; and
• identify and manage significant operating conditions, monitoring parameters and troubleshooting techniques.

Course outline:

Day 1: An Overview of Natural Gas Compression Systems

• Process Flow Characteristics
• Designs of Key Units in the Compressor Station
• Compression Station Layout Concept & Principles

Day 2: Compressor Stations Operations & Practice

• Frequency of Compressor Stations
• Operating Pressure of the Pipeline
• Liquid separation & Filtering at the Compressor Stations
• Personnel at the Compressor Stations

Day 3: Compressor Station Facilities 

• Compressor Units
• Electrical Motors with Centrifugal Compressors
• Turbines with Centrifugal Compressors
• Reciprocating engine with Reciprocating Compressor
• Filters & Scrubbers
• Gas Cooling Systems
• Mufflers

Day 4: Integration upstream & Downstream Processes

• Upstream Natural Gas Compression Station
• Downstream Natural Gas Compression Station
• Process Equipment & Operations
• Local and remote-control systems
• Facilities & Utilities

Day 5: Natural Gas Compression Operational

Hazards & Safety Tips

• Monitoring equipment
• Heat exchangers, Lube and seal systems
• Fuel/power systems
• Major designs, installation, operating, troubleshooting,

and maintenance considerations

• Operational Hazards & Safety Tips

Training Methodology

Lectures, discussions, exercises, and case studies will be used to reinforce these teaching/learning methods.