Efficient Utilization of N2 During Commissioning and Startup

Abstract

Efficient Utilization of N2 during Commissioning and Startup In one of ADNOC's mega projects, Nitrogen was utilized for commissioning as well as start-up purposes, saving time and assessing equipment performance much earlier than planned. This paper which will be sectionalized in two parts, presents an extraordinary approach out of the norms for the usual nitrogen use in upstream oil and gas industries of purging and blanketing, resulting in significant savings in time and expenditure. Commissioning with N2 There are many arguments about the risk / reward relation when it comes to applying Field test run with an inert gas (N2) ahead of hydrocarbon in, involving high pressure centrifugal compression systems. This part aims to discuss the advantages of adopting N2 testing well ahead of gas-in, challenges and rewards. Although the codes from API and ASME give details on the requirements of running compressors with gases different of design ones. The installation, the procedure, and the acceptance criteria are subject of agreement between vendor and company. Therefore, it's important to detail and agree with the Vendors on all process and mechanical criteria, limitations and necessary precautions ahead of adopting such tests. Additionally In this part, the various requirements to adopt testing high pressure compressor with N2 gas will be presented and along with a discussion on their capabilities to detect a variety of problems. Some issues which occurred during the N2 test run at site will be described. Based on test characteristics and at the related cases, recommendations are made when ordering new compression system with considerations regarding the return of investment of these tests. Startup with N2 Nitrogen (N2) was used as a stripping medium during the initial startup of the plant facilities. The target was to start producing stabilized crude simultaneously with the hot commissioning of the gas circuit. This part presents the overall results of adopting this approach. An assessment was carried out utilizing simulation software HYSYS prior to the startup. Post startup, actual field results were collected to analyze the effectiveness of N2 stabilization. N2 was proven to be an effective stripping medium in crude stabilization.