In natural gas processing plants, the performance of compression trains impacts the ability to meet the required feed gas and sales gas pressures. The performance and condition of this equipment can be readily determined and trended, and the need for overhauls or revamps can be reviewed using Simulytica Performance Analytics.
A significant contributor to the overall OPEX of compressor stations and gas storage facilities is the cost of the energy to drive the compressors – whether this be fuel gas (for gas turbine drive) or electrical power (for electric motor drive). The in-service efficiency of compressors in these applications is therefore of interest to operators of these assets.
An additional challenge comes from the fact that compression demand often varies substantially. The required flow rates can change significantly on a seasonal, or even hourly basis. These cause variations in upstream and downstream system pressures. As a result, the factors limiting the operability and capacity of the compression trains are in a constant state of change. How then can the operator know, at any time, exactly how his compression system is performing and how close to operating limits it is? Answers to all this and more is provided by Simulytica Predictive Analytics.
It does not matter if the compressor station or the gas storage facility is normally or frequently unmanned since the machinery operating conditions and performance, whether live or historical, can be viewed on any device from any location. Unmanned Facilities.