Mercury Removal Project: Issues and Challenges in Managing and Executing a Technology Project

Abstract

fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThis paper will share the experience of PETRONAS in managing and executing its Mercury Removal Project, one of the world's first mercury removal projects for raw and untreated condensate. It focuses on the selection of the appropriate technology for the project, the additional steps taken in mitigating the project risks, and the issues and challenges encountered during project execution. The paper will also share the challenges faced during commissioning and initial operation of the plant, and ways taken to mitigate the problems. This includes addressing issues of impurities, particulates, water, and in monitoring the performance of handling high pressure samples for mercury content determination, as well as fluctuation of mercury concentration in the hydrocarbon stream.A project to remove mercury from hydrocarbon was initiated by PETRONAS on a fast track basis. The intent of the project is to remove mercury from the hydrocarbon prior delivering it to the downstream customer. Since the technology in removal of mercury from raw condensate had not been commercially proven before, a thorough selection process was undertaken in selecting the appropriate technology. Adsorbent technology was selected against other technologies evaluated.The project managed to be completed ahead of time, with the first unit installed in March, 2006 some 13 months from project initiation. The results during the monitoring period proved that the unit managed to remove mercury successfully exceeding the project requirement. The data obtained from the performance monitoring of the unit was required to improve the removal efficiency and to sustain the units' long term effectiveness. It was observed that a different project management approach was needed in executing a technology project. A proper selection of technology was also vital in ensuring the success of the project.Mercury is highly toxic, particularly when present in the form of organo-mercury species. Mercury not only is hazardous to human health and the environment but could also attack equipment components that have mercury reactive material, leading to potential catastrophic failure to the plant. With the ability to remove mercury from the hydrocarbon stream effectively, danger to human and the environment can be minimised and catastrophic failure to the plants prevented. 2.0 THAILAND SINGAPORE Kertih Kuantan Kangar Ipoh Sitiawan R.O. Kuala LumpurSeremban

Mercury Speciation and Distribution in an Egyptian Natural Gas Processing Plant

“…Therefore, it could be proposed that natural gas reflects the Hg concentration of condensate. Similar results were reported by Petronas in a study on an offshore Malaysian natural gas processing plant in 2007 . Additionally, it is likely that Hg 0 was the dominant Hg species in the incoming stream from the wellhead due to its high volatility and ability to transfer from one phase to another.…”

“…The treatment of Hg in the condensate stream should be given top priority as suggested by the Petronas plant . In contrast, here we recommend the installation of a Hg removal unit after the second stage compressor in this gas plant to protect all treatment facilities from Hg contamination.…”