Course Objectives

• Understand the inflow and outflow performance as well as the system analysis in subsurface production operations
• Understand gas treatment process.
• Understand gas dehydration and processing, absorption, refrigeration and fractionation, cryogenics and LNG production.
• Understanding the normal operating conditions of the plant
• Have a good background of oil and gas processing and be able to understand the scope of LNG (NGL) gas processing
• Become familiar with the transfer operations in the gas field and be able to carry-out the measurement techniques
• Understand the conversion factors and be able to learn data analysis
• Acquire in-depth understanding of gas compression, natural gas, slug catcher and NGL recovery
• Define abnormal conditions such as high liquid level, heat loss, tanks getting dry, foams, plugged outlets
• Learn about instrumentation, measurement and control of natural gas and gas liquids in addition to gas facility maintenance
• Handle abnormal conditions such as loss of power, loss of control, loss of air, shortage of man power, foam and hydrate formation, Troubleshoot the problems
• Emphasize the importance of water content in the gas field operations and be able to review & improve gas treatment
• Know the procedure of condensate stabilization
• Apply troubleshooting and safety considerations

Course Outline

•  Introduction to Natural Gas Processing
• Introduction to natural gas processing
• Fundamentals and of natural gas engineering
• Physical properties of natural gas
• Natural gas production
• Impurities in the gas
• Contract terms
• Heating value/ BTU (British Thermal Unit) importance
• Plant normal and abnormal conditions
• Startup and initial operation
• Natural Gas Liquid (NGL), Gas-to-Liquid (GTL), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

Gas-Liquid Separation Systems

• Gas-liquid separation system
• Separators (types of separators - separator sizing)
• Common variables such as pressure, temp., flow and level
• Instrumentation, control, and measurement of natural gas and gas liquids
• Control valves & actuators
• Pressure, temperature, and level controls
• Field application of instruments
• Structured approach to the process operation
• Contaminants removal
• Process plant machinery specific plant issues
• Management, planning and control
• Startup and shutdown planning & control

Mercury Removal Systems / Hydrate Problems / Dehydration of Natural Gas

• Mercury problem in natural gas
• Process description of the mercury removal units
• Hydrate formation conditions
• Hydrate prevention and mitigation methods
• Water content estimation
• Water dew point control
• Dehydration systems and methods

Dehydration of Natural Gas / NGL Recovery and Removal of Heavy Hydrocarbon

• Glycol dehydration unit
• Process description of the TEG (Triethylene Glycol) dehydration unit
• The factors affect the TEG dehydration unit performance
• Trouble shooting of the TEG dehydration unit
• The nature of process problems affecting performance
• Removal of heavy hydrocarbons (LTS  & turbo expanders systems)
• Condensate stabilization - refrigeration system - cryogenics applications – turbo-expanders

Sweetening Systems

• Removal of acid gases (H2S, CO2)
• Sweetening systems: membrane system
• Troubleshooting & problem solving
• Risk management
• Introduction to the theory of inventive problem solving 
• Effect of maintenance on operation
• Managing, environment, safety and quality concern
• Case studies