Construction of Bulk Handling Facilities for Production Chemicals in S&EK, WK and NK Areas

Abstract

Production chemicals are primarily used to treat crude oil to its sale specifications, to minimize process problems, and to treat produced water to meet regulatory guidelines for disposal or injection. Voluminous quantities of various chemicals are used in production operations - Company uses more than 50,000 drums (55 USG standard drums) per year at different locations throughout the field areas. Transferring drums from stores to the facilities, chemicals loading from drums to the tanks, spillages and disposing-off empty drums have been causing numerous operational, health, safety and environmental concerns. Therefore, in line with Company’s policies of enhancing it’s operational & HSE performance, the Company decided huge capital investment (KD 16 Million) for constructing modernized facilities for bulk handling of the production chemicals. This paper outlines the facilities and associated support systems for bulk handling of the chemicals, eliminating use of the conventional chemical drums (55 USG standard drums). The facilities comprise of the Primary Chemical Storage Facility consisting of ten (10) storage tanks for receiving the chemicals in Road Tankers, and subsequent distribution by specialized road tankers (loading arm conforming to API-RP 1004) to the Secondary Storage Facilities in the Gathering Centers (20 Nos.) located in different field areas. The Primary Storage Facility is provided with loading & unloading pumps, ethernet based Terminal Automation System (TAS), utilities, control room & offices, fire-fighting, safety & public address systems, etc. The Secondary Storage Facilities have been provided at the Gathering Centers, with filling connections, instrumentation/controls, pumping facilities, etc. to the Day Tanks. Oil Companies normally outsource chemicals handling activities. But our Company decided to build its own facilities - unique of its kind. Knowing that many oil majors in the region do not possess bulk handling facilities of this magnitude and configuration, our facilities could be a model for others. Company carried out extensive work prior to the project, in examining options, payment procedures, inventories controls, tankers selection, safety systems, waste management, etc. Construction of bulk handling facilities is a landmark that enhances Company’s HSE & operational performance, improves inventories & quality controls, eliminates manual handling, and storage/losses problems.