EURO GAS REPORT FERC CONTROVERSY TECH CORNER

EUGAL PIPELINE OPEN “PAPER BRIEFING” REVIEW OPTIMIZATION METHODS

A KHL Group publication

MAY 2021 | VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 4 www.compressortech2.com

EGS:
A second
decade of
growth
SULZER
Under
pressure
SLOAN with
A longer INDIA North
look at Ambitious Sea
lubrication gas push repairs
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 FROM THE EDITOR
KEEFE BORDEN

EDITORIAL
Vice President Editorial:
Michael J. Brezonick
mike.brezonick@khl.com
Tel: +1 262-754-4112
New opportunities
Cell: +1 262-366-9452

I
Editor:
t’s a time of fresh beginnings and new opportunities for a lot of
Keefe Borden individuals, businesses and organizations. Speaking personally,
keefe.borden@khl.com
Jack Burke I’ve started a new job as editor of COMPRESSORTECH2, the trade
jack.burke@khl.com magazine you’re reading now. I’m excited about the possibilities this
PRODUCTION opportunity brings me and I look forward to meeting many of you in the
Creative & Events Director:
Saara Rootes months and years ahead.
saara.rootes@khl.com It’s also a time of new opportunities for a lot of businesses that have
Senior Production Executive
Anita Bhakta seen doors closed, or partially closed, as the world grapples with the
anita.bhakta@khl.com struggle to contain COVID-19. At the moment, three vaccines have been
Production Manager - KHL Americas:
Brenda Burbach approved in the U.S. and are rolling out as we speak. It’s clear that as
brenda.burbach@khl.com
Design Manager: the vaccines roll out, things are opening up again. You can almost feel
Jeff Gilbert the change.
Designers:
Mitchell Logue We humans are social creatures who have an essential need to
Jade Hudson interact with others. As my predecessor, DJ Slater, wrote recently, the
CIRCULATION best way to sell is to make a genuine connection. COMPRESSORTECH2
Subscriptions:
subscriptions@khl.com offers valuable market intelligence and a unique marketing channel for
Circulation & Data Manager: our readers and advertisers. Both are essential for making that genuine
Helen Knight
helen.knight@khl.com connection.
SALES I expect a gradual economic effect to slowly snowball over time: as
Vice President, Sales restrictions are lifted, we will interact more, travel more, spend more and
Alister Williams
Tel: +1 843 637 4127 gradually generate more activity.
Cell: +1 312-860-6775 We have already seen natural gas consumption in the U.S. return
alister.williams@khl.com
Sales Manager to pre-pandemic levels and prices, although still weak by historical
Pete Balistrieri
Tel: +1 262 754 4131 standards, are above where they were one year ago. That said, global oil
e-mail: pete.balistrieri@khl.com prices have fallen 1% recently amid concerns that a third wave of COVID-
Regional Sales Managers
Katie Bivens 19 infections has hit Europe, an indication the economic recovery may
Tel: +1 262-754-4140 not be linear.
Cell: +1 262-327-4899
katie.bivens@khl.com Moving forward, a greater portion of industry conferences will be
Linda Cameron
Tel: +44 20 31 79 29 79 in person rather than virtual, giving our industry an opportunity to
linda.cameron@khl.com make that personal connection. The Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition
Gabriele Dinsel
Tel: +49 711 3416 74 71 & Conference in Perth, Australia was live. The International Petroleum
gabriele.dinsel@khl.com
Petra Kaiser Technology Conference and the China International Petroleum &
Tel: +49 151 218 52 127 Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition were also live.
petra.kaiser@khl.com
Roberta Prandi In testimony before the Senate, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome
Tel: +39 0464 014421 Powell said the U.S. economy has rebounded since the early
roberta.prandi@khl.com
Josh Kunz months of the pandemic. Millions have returned to work, equity
Tel: +1 262 444 1737
josh.kunz@khl.com markets have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels and the
Thomas Kavooras distribution of multiple vaccines have allowed many businesses
+1 847 609 4393
thomas.kavooras@khl.com to start reopening.
Chief Executive Officer
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made similar comments,
James King arguing for an optimistic outlook for the U.S. economy, which
Chief Financial Officer
Paul Baker is growing because of vaccine distribution and the
Chief Operating Officer implementation of an economic relief package. The
Trevor Pease
economic recovery has not been even, although
it has started. Eventually, I expect it will allow
© Copyright KHL Group, 2021 new beginnings for all industries. CT2
KHL GROUP AMERICAS LLC
3726 E. Ember Glow Way, Keefe Borden
Phoenix, AZ 85050 USA
e-mail: americas@khl.com Editor keefe.borden@khl.com
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 INSIDE
MAY 2021

CONTENTS
COMPRESSORTECH2 (ISSN 1085-2468) Volume 26, No. 4
– Published 10 issues/year (January-February, March, OFFSHORE
April, May, June, July, August-September, October,
November, December) by KHL Group Americas LLC,
MAINTENANCE
3726 East Ember Glow Way, Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA. 20 Sulzer works under pressure
Subscription rates are $85.00 per year/$10.00 per copy
worldwide. Periodicals postage paid at Waukesha,
WI 53186 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright
REGIONAL REPORT
© 2021 KHL Group Americas LLC. All Rights Reserved. 28 India plans to boost gas
Materials protected by U.S. and international copyright consumption
laws and treaties. Unauthorized duplication and
publication is expressly prohibited. Printed in the USA.
LUBRICATION
Canadian Publication Mail Agreement # 40035419.
Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:
TECHNOLOGY
P.O. Box 456, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6V2, Canada. Email: 33 Studying long-term effects
subscriptions@khl.com. POSTMASTER: Send address of lube systems
changes to: Circulation Manager, COMPRESSORTECH2,
20855 Watertown Road, Suite 220, Waukesha, WI
53186-1873 USA. COMPANY NEWS
www.compressortech2.com 34 Euro Gas Systems: DEPARTMENTS EURO GAS REPORT
EUGAL PIPELINE OPEN
FERC CONTROVERSY
“PAPER BRIEFING” REVIEW
TECH CORNER
OPTIMIZATION METHODS
OUTSIDE
A KHL Group publication

A second decade of growth 3 Editor’s comment: MAY 2021 | VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 4 www.compressortech2.com

Follow @COMPRESSORTECH2 on:

New beginnings
TECH CORNER 6 Industry News
EGS:
38 Optimizing compressor 10 Gas Lines A second
decade of
stations 12 Monitoring Government: growth
SULZER

FERC decision sparks SLOAN

A longer INDIA
Under
pressure
with
North
look at Ambitious Sea

controversy lubrication gas push repairs

MEMBER OF: 16 Shale Play-By-Play EGS has

24 Euro Gas Report grown
49 Cornerstones of from a Europe/CIS
Compression: supplier to a global
ASME Boiler Pressure and presence in multiple
Vessel Code segments

MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 5

 INDUSTRY
NEWS

The Baker Hughes-Novatek collaboration

will begin with a pilot program to introduce
hydrogen blends into the main process for
natural gas liquefaction to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions from LNG facilities
including Novatek’s Yamal LNG complex.

Baker Hughes, Pao Novatek

in LNG emissions pact
B
aker Hughes and Pao Novatek have signed a cooperation
agreement aimed at reducing carbon emissions from natural
gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. The two
companies will cooperate on the development and implementation of
compression and power generation technology solutions from Baker
Hughes for Novatek’s LNG projects, supporting Novatek’s emissions
Burckhardt’s Nordic presence
After three years of what it called successful cooperation with
Kompressorteknik ML AB, Burckhardt Compression established
a fully owned subsidiary in Landvetter, Sweden. With this step,
Burckhardt Compression said it is further strengthening its
presence in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Since
2018, Kompressorteknik ML AB has operated the Service Center
close to Gothenburg as Burckhardt Compression’s authorized
service partner for both Burckhardt Compression and other brands
of reciprocating compressors.
COMPRESSED NEWS
reduction, raising efficiency and supporting long-term sustainability.
The agreement will begin with a pilot program to introduce
hydrogen blends into the main process for natural gas liquefaction
to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from LNG facilities, including
Novatek’s Yamal LNG complex. Baker Hughes will provide engineering
and turbomachinery equipment to convert existing natural gas
liquefaction trains at Yamal LNG to run on hydrogen blends rather than
solely run with methane from feed gas.
“Baker Hughes is one of the main equipment suppliers to our
Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2 projects,” said Leonid Mikhelson,
Novatek’s chairman of the management board. “We are expanding our
cooperation with them to develop efficient and economically viable
solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change on our projects
– one of the essential topics for Novatek and the entire oil and gas
industry. Hydrogen technologies have great prospects to reduce the
level of global greenhouse gas emissions, and further work is required
to develop and adapt these technologies for operations in Arctic
climatic conditions.” CT2

■ EXLINE INC. renewed its distributorship
agreement with Altronic LLC for the Central
Trading Area along with the expansion of
its distributor territory which will include
the West Coast Trading Area. Although the
West Coast Altronic Trading Area is new
geography, Exline Inc., has been supplying,
installing, servicing, and rebuilding Altronic
engine ignition and control systems for
more than 25 years.
With the new agreement and territories
in place, Exline, Inc. will continue to provide
our customers complete access to the full
line of Altronic products and installation
services including the new DE-4000 control
panel, Altronic air fuel ratio (AFR) systems
as well as other products groups: ignition
systems; ignition accessories; engine
controls; digital instruments.
■ DRESSER UTILITY SOLUTIONS is the
new name for Dresser NGS, a provider of
metering, electronics, instrumentation, flow
control, distribution repair products, and
over pressure protection devices to utility
and industrial customers based in Houston,
Texas.
Dresser Utility Solutions’ core business
has been serving gas utilities and going
forward will focus on serving the broader
utility sector, particularly in the water and
wastewater treatment customer segments.
The aging gas and water utility asset base
and heightened focus on ESG necessitate
innovative solutions and products, which
Dresser Utility Solutions is uniquely
positioned to provide, the company said.
■ WINSERT INC., the Marinette, Wis., provider
of proprietary alloy components for engines
and power systems, was recently named
INNIO’s 2020 supplier of the year for quality
during INNIO’s virtual supplier of the year
awards.
INNIO is a global provider of gas engines,
power equipment and related services for
power generation and gas compression
at or near the point of use. Headquartered

6 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021


ABB launches gas leak detection system
ABB said the latest addition to its ABB
Ability Mobile Gas Leak Detection System,
HoverGuard, provides the solution by finding
leaks faster and more reliably than ever
before.
HoverGuard is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
(UAV)-based system designed to detect,
quantify and map leaks up to 300 ft. from
natural gas distribution and transmission
pipelines, gathering lines, storage facilities,
and other potential sources. It automatically
generates comprehensive digital reports
that summarize results and can be shared in
minutes after a survey.
The cloud-connected, multi-gas solution
is also the first of its kind to quantify the
three most important greenhouse gases
methane, carbon dioxide and water vapor
in Jenbach, Austria, the business also has
primary operations in Welland, Ontario,
Canada, and Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Winsert supplies custom valve seat
inserts for both the Waukesha and
Jenbacher gas engine products.
■ CHINA saw steady growth in its natural
gas output in the first two months of the
year, according to official data from the
Chinese government.
The country’s natural gas output rose
by 13.5% year-on-year to 34.8 billion cubic
meters in the Jan-Feb period, data from the
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed.
The figure represented a 22.5% increase
continuously while flying. Each greenhouse
gas affects the environment differently and
is present in the air in different amounts.
Sourcing individual gases also provides
important information to scientists and
researchers when studying the complex
environmental processes affecting climate
and pollution.
Patented cavity enhanced laser
absorption spectroscopy detects methane
with a sensitivity more than 1000 times
higher than conventional leak detection tools,
the company said. This sensitivity and speed
allow HoverGuard to detect leaks while flying
at altitudes of 130 ft., or higher, and at speeds
greater than 55 mph. It can cover 10 to 15
times more land area per minute by operating
on low-cost commercial UAV capable of
carrying a payload of 6.6 lb.
“HoverGuard represents an important
step-change in gas leak detection both in
terms of safety and the environment.” said
Doug Baer, Ph.D., ABB Global Product Line
Manager of Laser Analyzers. “Previously
inspectors had to rely on slow, qualitative,
analog sensors or expensive delicate
cameras to find leaks. Our groundbreaking
solution effectively probes otherwise
inaccessible locations to increase safety
across the pipeline network. It detects and
compared with the level in the same period
of 2019, as well as annual average growth of
10.7% in the past two years.
■ BOSCH REXROTH WINS TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Bosch Rexroth received the Hermes Award,
given annually at Hannover Messe, for its
SVA R2 subsea valve actuator.
The award honors outstanding products
with a “particularly high level of innovation.”
The SVA R2 is the world's first electrical
actuator for controlling process valves
under water. The SVA R2 is designed to offer
an energy-efficient and safe alternative to
the actuators previously used in offshore oil
and gas production.
INDUSTRY
NEWS
maps natural gas leaks around hard-to-reach
sites such as bridges, areas with right-of-
way restrictions or vegetation coverage and
storage assets.” CT2
Siemens supplying
FPSO in South America
Siemens Energy will supply eight complete
topside modules for power generation,
transmission, and distribution, as well as
gas processing and compression aboard
an FPSO that will operate offshore South
America starting in 2024.
MISC Berhad is building the FPSO to
expand its fleet of 14 floating production
systems. The FPSO is expected to have a
processing capacity of 180 000 barrels of
oil and 12 million cubic meters of gas per
day.
Siemens Energy’s scope of supply
includes the EPC work for all eight modules
and several key components: two electric,
low-pressure centrifugal compressors;
two electric, CO2 compressors; three main
injection compressors driven by Siemens
Energy SGT-A35-GT62X gas turbines;
four Siemens Energy SGT-A35-GT30 gas
turbines for power generation; an E-house;
plus all electricals including an electrical
control and management system (ECMS).
Siemens Energy was awarded an engineering
procurement construction (EPC) contract from
MISC Berhad for the supply of eight complete
topside modules for a floating production,
storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel.
MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 7
 INDUSTRY
NEWS

Natural gas a ‘sustainable

source of energy,’ experts say
A group of experts at the virtual Gas forum hopes that the European Parliament Committee on Sustainable Energy. The UNECE
Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) made and the EU member states will support the includes 56 member states in Europe, North
a series of recommendations to promote sustainability rating of natural gas when America and Asia. Russia and the U.S. are two
natural gas as a sustainable source of energy they are due to discuss this next month. UNECE members that are expected to provide
and supported the intention of the European “GECF believes that all UNECE member states it with up to 70% of gas production by 2050.
Union to consider gas as a sustainable should recognize the use of gas, especially Sentyurin said natural gas supply in the
source of energy under the new green in cases where the gas technology replaces UNECE region will increase at an annual
labelling system. higher-emitting power sources and can cut average growth rate of 0.8%, representing
Speaking before the Group of Experts emissions,” said Sentyurin. an overall increase of 29%. Total supply is
on Gas of the United Nations Economic The UNECE’s Group of Experts on Gas is a expected to climb from 2320 billion cubic
Commission for Europe (UNECE), GECF high-level policy consultation body formed meters (bcm) in 2019 to around 3000 bcm in
Secretary General H.E. Yury Sentyurin said the to empower and inform the work of UNECE 2050.
“The UNECE region will be responsible
for 18% of the total gas demand growth
Kinder Morgan forms low-carbon group through to 2050,” he said. “Despite ambitious
Kinder Morgan, Inc. said it has formed a new Energy Transition Ventures group within Kinder decarbonization targets in many UNECE
Morgan to identify, analyze and pursue commercial opportunities emerging from the low- members, natural gas will retain a critical
carbon energy transition. The group, led by Jesse Arenivas, president of Energy Transition role in region’s energy mix, being the most
Ventures and CO2, and Anthony Ashley, vice president of Energy Transition Ventures, will resilient hydrocarbon resource.”
focus on broadening Kinder Morgan’s reach beyond the low-carbon energy initiatives The session noted that the UNECE region
currently in development by KMI’s business units. is falling short of its commitments and
“While we continue to remain disciplined and focused on attractive returns when objectives on sustainable energy. The Group
evaluating investment opportunities in these new ventures, we are extremely pleased to of Experts concluded that it can help meet
announce the formation of this new group at a time when energy markets are evolving both those goals by transforming the energy
nationally and abroad,” said Steve Kean, CEO of KMI. He added the pair have the ideal skill sets system and reducing the environmental
to lead this organization, with more than 50 years of combined experience. impact of energy. CT2
PEOPLE NEWS

■ COOPER MACHINERY SERVICES,
the Houston-based provider of
machinery services and parts
for compressors and engines,
announced that PATRICK GILLESPIE
has been promoted to vice president of sales
– Americas.
Gillespie began his industry career in 2010
as market development manager for GE in
Moscow.
He joined Cooper in August of 2019 as
senior director of sales – Americas.
In his new role, Gillespie will lead
Cooper’s sales effort for capital projects,
key accounts, distributors, Canada and Latin
America.
■ VOITH TURBO said CORNELIUS
WEITZMANN, currently a member
of the board of management
of Voith Turbo, will be appointed
president & CEO of Voith Turbo
and member of the corporate board of
management effective June 1. He succeeds
Dr. Uwe Knotzer, who is leaving the company
at his own request. Knotzer has been with
Voith since 2002. Weitzmann joined Voith
in 2007. Since April 2015, he has been a
member of the board of management of
Voith Turbo, responsible for the Power,
Oil & Gas Division, before he took over the
management of the Mobility Division in June
2016.
■ YOKOGAWA has promoted
KEVIN MCMILLEN to lead its North
American business, which
manufactures and supplies test,
measurement, field instrumentation
products in applications including oil & gas
and power generation.
“The energy transition is challenging the
relevance of many industries, and driving
many businesses to re-evaluate their
strategies in alignment with the direction
of society and emerging technologies,”
McMillen said.
Since 2016, McMillen has served as the
vice president of System Sales for North
America.

8 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021

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GAS LINES
U.S. PIPELINES UPDATE

Four U.S. pipelines enter service, one canceled

Permian Highway Pipeline

T
he U.S. Energy Information connects to nearly 20 natural gas processing
Agency reported that four new natural Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline sites in the Delaware Basin. It transports an
gas pipeline projects entered service (PHP) entered service in early January. The additional 1.8 Bcf/d of natural gas to the Waha
between November 2020 and February 2021: 430-mile pipeline brings 2.1 Bcf/d of additional Hub in West Texas. .
natural gas capacity from the Waha Hub, In December, Tellurian withdrew its
Saginaw Trail Pipeline located in West Texas near production application to build the Permian Global Access
Consumer Energy’s $610 million intrastate activities in the Permian Basin, to Katy, Texas, Pipeline in Texas and Louisiana, effectively
Saginaw Trail Pipeline entered service in near the Gulf Coast. canceling the project. The proposed 2.0
late November 2020. The project replaced Bcf/d project would have transported natural
and expanded natural gas pipelines and Agua Blanca Expansion Project gas from the Permian Basin to a proposed
infrastructure in Saginaw, Genesse, and Whitewater/MPLX’s Agua Blanca Expansion liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Gillis,
Oakland Counties in Michigan, increasing Project, which entered service in late January, Louisiana. CT2
natural gas capacity by 0.2 Bcf/d.
RECENTLY COMPLETED NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECTS IN THE MIDWEST
Buckeye Xpress Project
Columbia Gas Transmission’s (CGT) 0.3 Bcf/d
Buckeye Xpress Project began operations
in December 2020. The $709 million project
involved infrastructure improvements and
replaced 66 miles of existing natural gas
pipeline with more reliable 36-in. pipe in Ohio
and West Virginia. The project increases
transportation capacity out of the Appalachia
Basin into CGT’s interconnection in Leach,
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Natural Gas Pipeline Project Tracker Note: Map as of March 11, 2021
Kentucky, and the TCO Pool in West Virginia.

BAKER HUGHES RIG COUNT US NATURAL GAS STORAGE (Bcf)

Source: Baker Hughes Source: EIA
1400 5000
1200
4000
1000
800 3000

600 2000
400
1000
200
0 0
Feb-19 Feb-20 Feb-21 January December
North America International 2021 Five-Year High Five-Year Low

HENRY HUB NATURAL GAS SPOT PRICE (US$/MMBtu) BRENT CRUDE OIL PRICE (US$/Barrel)
Source: EIA Source: EIA
$5.50 $90.00
$5.00 $80.00
$4.50 $70.00
$4.00 $60.00
$3.50 $50.00
$3.00 $40.00
$2.50 $30.00
$2.00 $20.00
$1.50 $10.00
Feb-19 Feb-20 Feb-21 Feb-19 Feb-20 Feb-21

10 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021

 MONITORING
GOVERNMENT

FERC’S “paper briefing”

sparks controversy
Additional review comes after agency approved plans for In November, opponents were denied
their request for a rehearing on FERC’s
a compressor now in operation. By Brian Ford authorization. The compressor went into full
service on January 25.

T
he Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission’s (FERC) decision to
hear concerns regarding a now-
operational pipeline compressor station in
Massachusetts has set off something of a
commotion in the natural gas world.
On Feb. 18, the commission voted
3-2 to establish a “paper briefing”, which
would “further examine public safety
concerns associated with the operation of
the Weymouth Compressor Station.” This
comes after FERC already authorized the
construction and operation of the station.
Whether the commission will take any
further action remains to be seen, and
industry observers view a reversal of FERC’s
earlier authorization as highly unlikely. Still,
the review is seen as unusual as it deals with
a project that already has been authorized
and is up and running.
Located near the town of Weymouth just
south of Boston, the compressor has been
a controversial subject since subsidiaries of
Canada-based oil and gas pipeline company
Enbridge, Inc. first applied in 2015 for a FERC
certificate allowing the construction and
operation of the Atlantic Bridge Project,
which was designed to provide additional
capacity on Enbridge’s Algonquin Gas
Transmission and Maritimes & Northeast
Pipeline systems to move natural
BRIAN FORD is editor in chief
THE AUTHOR
gas into New England and the Canadian
Maritime provinces. The Weymouth
compressor has been described as the
lynchpin of the project.
Local opposition
In 2017, FERC granted a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity for the Atlantic
Bridge Project. Enbridge’s subsidiary,
Algonquin Gas Transmission, began
construction of Weymouth in late 2019.
The compressor project has been beset
by local opposition, as various groups,
including both Massachusetts senators, said
the facility poses public safety and health
threats.
In September 2020, the opposition
became louder after the compressor
experienced an unplanned emergency
shutdown during testing, resulting in
the release of gas and volatile organic
compounds. Following the resolution of that
shutdown, FERC authorized Algonquin to
put the compressor into service. Days later,
another emergency shutdown occurred,
causing a delay in the start of full operations.
NEW CHAIRMAN AT FERC
Meanwhile, changes have been going on within FERC.
President Joe Biden named Richard Glick chairman of FERC on Jan. 21. A FERC member
since 2017, he is one of two Democrats on the panel. Glick has signaled a willingness to
Initial briefs for the paper hearing were
due in early April and reply briefs 30 days
after that.
Commissioner James Danly, who served
as FERC chairman prior to Glick, was one of
the two dissenters against the paper hearing,
noting there is no legal basis for FERC to re-
examine its final orders.
“On top of being unlawful, the order
is bad policy,” he said. “Issuing an order
that appears to revisit final, unappealable
certificate orders impairs regulatory certainty
and arrogates to the commission authority it
does not have.
“Intended or not, the message from
this order is clear: even if a pipeline has its
certificate, a court upholds that certificate,
and that pipeline is in compliance, the
commission can now find a way to modify, or
even possibly revoke, the certificate.”
The situation at FERC will get more
interesting when Republican Commissioner
Neil Chatterjee’s term ends in May, which
would allow the Biden administration to
nominate a replacement, and change the
political balance of the panel. CT2

give the project’s opponents more opportunity to voice their concerns.

for Industrial Info Resources,
which provides up-to-date project
information on a wide range of
industries across the globe. He has worked as
a reporter and editor for newspapers and other
publications since 1979.
“The Weymouth Compressor Station raises serious environmental justice questions,
which we need to examine,” Glick wrote on Twitter. “The communities surrounding the
project are regularly subjected to high levels of pollution & residents are concerned
emissions from the station will make things worse.”
Glick also wrote that FERC has paid “little more than lip service” to environmental
justice, adding, “That needs to change.”

12 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021

HIGHEST GAS PURITY AND
LOW ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Process Gas
Compressor inside
Diaphragm
Compressor inside

Burckhardt Compression offers a complete portfolio of compressor solutions for hydrogen fuel stations and power-to-x applica-
tions. Our oil-free diaphragm (900 bar) and piston compressors (450 bar) stand for the highest gas purity at high pressures with
low energy consumption and reduced maintenance costs. In addition, Burckhardt Compression has a global network of local
service centers that enables us to offer local support with a quick response rate.
Learn more: burckhardtcompression.com/hydrogen
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YZERS and
COMPRESSORS Optimizing the
H2 VALUE CHAIN
Energy transition with compressors
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 SHALE Montana
Thrust Belt
Niobrara*
BAKKEN***
Heath**
NEWS Cody
Williston
Basin
Powder
Big Horn River Gammon
Basin Basin
Michigan
Mowry Basin Antrim
Greater Hilliard-
Green River Baxter- Niobrara*
Basin Mancos
Park Forest City
Uinta Basin Basin Basin Illinois
Manning Canyon Basin
Mancos Piceance Denver
San Joaquin Basin Basin New
Basin Hermosa Cherokee Platform Albany
Paradox Basin
Pierre Excello-
Monterey-Temblor Lewis Mulky
Raton
San Juan Basin Basin Anadarko FAYETTEVILLE
Monterey, Santa Basin Arkoma Black Warrior
Maria, Ventura, Palo Duro Bend WOODFORD Basin Basin
Los Angeles Basins Basin Floyd-Neal
Ardmore Basin
Avalon-Bone Spring Permian BARNETT HAYNESVILLE- Chattanooga
Basin Ft. Worth BOSSIER TX-LA-MS
Barnett-Woodford Basin Salt Basin
James Willis highlights the latest news Marfa
Basin
Tuscaloosa
EAGLE
FORD
from the major North American shale plays Current Plays Pearsall
Prospective Plays Western
MARCELLUS/UTICA between venture capital firm Basins Gulf

Antero gets new investor,
drilling 80-85 wells
Antero Resources, one of the
largest drillers in the Marcellus/
Utica (working primarily in West
Virginia) pumped a prolific 3.65
Bcfe/d in Q4 2020. Antero is the
third-largest producer of natural
gas and the second-largest
producer of NGLs in the U.S. The
company drills in the wet gas
region of the Marcellus/Utica.
During a recent quarterly update,
Antero announced Quantum
Energy Partners is investing
$500 to $550 million in Antero’s
drilling program beginning this
year and running until 2024.
PennEnergy sells Pa. pipe
system for $205 million
PennEnergy Resources sold a
gathering pipeline system in
western Pennsylvania, called
Pine Run Midstream, to a joint
venture partnership
THE AUTHOR
Energy Spectrum Partners * Mixed shale & chalk
** Mixed shale & Limestone
(based in Texas) and utility/ *** Mixed shale & tight dolostone-siltstone-sandstone
pipeline company UGI for $205 STACKED PLAYS
million. Pine Run Midstream is Shallowest/youngest Intermediate depth/age Deepest/oldest
MIDCONTINENT (Anadarko/SCOOP/STACK)
TC Energy commits to Wisconsin Access
TC Energy (formerly TransCanada) will move forward with building the Wisconsin Access Project
to increase natural gas capacity, improve reliability and reduce emissions on a segment of its ANR
Pipeline system. The $200 million project, which involves meter station upgrades and compressor
station modifications, will provide 72 MMcf/d (2 X 106 m3) of firm transportation service under long-
term contracts to utilities serving the midwestern United States. All project work will occur on ANR
Pipeline’s existing facilities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.
Bluestem Pipeline online early
Williams announced Bluestem Pipeline, a 120,000 b/d natural gas liquids pipeline that provides
improved market access and liquidity for mixed NGLs, was completed under budget and began service
in December, two months ahead of schedule. Bluestem is a 189-mile, 16 in. (304 km, 406.4 mm) NGL
pipeline that begins at MidContinent Fractionation & Storage LLC’s facility in Conway, Kansas. It delivers
NGLs to the Targa Resources pipeline system near Kingfisher, Oklahoma.
Tailwater Capital buys Tall Oak II, III
Tailwater Capital, a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, signed agreements to acquire Tall Oak
Midstream II and Tall Oak Midstream III from EnCap Flatrock Midstream. Financial terms were not
disclosed. Tall Oak II consists of over 750 miles (1207 km) of low- and high-pressure gathering lines
across eight Oklahoma counties in the STACK Extension. Tall Oak III’s assets consist of more than

JAMES WILLIS
is the editor of the
Marcellus Drilling
News, a daily newsletter
covering the Marcellus and Utica
plays.
■ For more information, go to:
www.marcellusdrilling.com
120 miles (193 km) of low- and high-pressure pipelines in the Arkoma Basin, as well as the recently
developed Panther Creek Plant, a 200 MMcf/d (5.6 X 106 m3) RSV technology processing plant.
Enable’s MASS expansion online in 2Q21
Enable Midstream Partners reports construction of its Enable Gas Trasmission (EGT) MASS (Merge,
Arkoma, SCOOP and STACK) is anticipated to be placed into service during 2Q21. The project expands
capacity along EGT by 100 MMcf/d, delivering gas from the Mid-Continent to delivery points in
Louisiana and Arkansas.

16 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021

 SHALE
NEWS

Appalachian
Basin
Devonian
(Ohio) MARCELLUS
PERMIAN ((Delaware)
Utica
Northern expands in Permian
Northern Oil and Gas expanded its footprint in the
Permian during 4Q20. Northern spent $8.4 million
on acquisitions, acquiring one new net producing
Chattanooga well, 3.6 net wells in process, 655 net acres (265
ha) and 373 net royalty acres (151 ha). Across the
Conasuaga 11 transactions, four targeted the Permian Basin.
Valley & Ridge Northern said as of January 2021, the company’s backlog
Province
of acquisition opportunities exceeds US$1 billion in potential
deal value.
Agua Blanca expansion online
WhiteWater Midstream’s Agua Blanca pipeline system
expansion has entered commercial service early. The
1.8 Bcf/d (50.9 X 106 m3/d) expansion of Agua Blanca
delivers gas from across the Delaware Basin to the Waha
hub. The new expansion brings the system’s total capacity to over
3 Bcf/d (84.9 X 106 m3/d). Agua Blanca is connected to nearly 20 gas
processing sites in the Delaware Basin and is currently transporting
gas produced in Culberson, Loving, Reeves, Pecos, Winkler and Ward
counties in Texas, and Eddy and Lea counties in New Mexico, to the
Waha hub. The recent expansion includes a 42 in. (1067 mm) diameter
trunk line that more than doubles system capacity.
Post-merger Devon focuses on Permian
Earlier this year Devon Energy closed on a “merger of equals” with
WPX Energy. The new combined entity retained the Devon name. The
merged company plans to spend $1.6 to $1.8 billion in 2021 on drilling,
with 80% of that (and nearly all of its active rigs) focused on the
Permian Basin.
Devon raised its full-year 2021 oil production forecast to a range
of 280,000 to 300,000 b/d. Rick Muncrief, formerly CEO of WPX, has
become CEO of the merged company.
Callon spending, producing less in 2021
Callon Petroleum Company predicted its annual production for 2021
would reach 90-92 Mboe/d (63% oil), down 2 Mboe/d from 2020
because of the impact from a major winter storm that hit Texas earlier
this year. Callon is an independent oil and natural gas company with
roughly 200,000 acres in the Permian and Eagle Ford plays in Texas.
The company merged with Carrizo Oil & Gas in 2019. As of Dec. 31,
Callon had 1496 gross (1320.6 net) horizontal wells producing 94.9
MBoe/d (62% oil).

a 43 mile (69 km) gathering
pipeline located in Butler
and Armstrong counties in
Pennslyvania. Stonehenge III,
a subsidiary of Stonehenge
Energy Resources (a portfolio
company of Energy Spectrum
Partners), will become the
majority owner of Pine Run
with a 51% share. UGI Energy
Services, a subsidiary of UGI, will
own 49%.
Royalty settlement with
Chesapeake Energy
Pennsylvania Attorney General
Josh Shapiro announced a
$5.3 million settlement with
Chesapeake Energy in a royalty
lawsuit against the company.
Chesapeake had deducted
more than $100 million from
Pennslyvania royalty checks
over the past dozen years. The
average landowner will get just
over $300 from the settlement.
As part of the settlement terms,
landowners who are signed
with Chesapeake may now opt
to have no post-production
deductions taken from their
royalty checks going forward.
DGO buys five Utica wells
Diversified Gas & Oil (DGO)
recently added five Utica Shale
wells in Monroe County Ohio
for $8.4 million. The company
now owns close to 8 million
acres (32.3 million ha) of leases
in the Appalachian Basin with
about 60,000 conventional oil
and gas wells. The company’s
focus has been to acquire
quality production and cash
flow regardless of the well or
commodity type (gas or oil). DGO
owns more than 400 Marcellus/
Utica shale wells in its portfolio.
Shell ethance cracker
online in 2022
Shell has started operations of
the cooling tower at its ethane
cracker in Beaver County,
Pennsylvania. Bits and pieces of
the plant will come online over 2022, Shell CEO Ben Van Beurden
time and the plant will become said. The entire project is now
fully operational sometime in 70% complete. CT2
ROCKIES (Powder River Basin, Denver-
Julesburg Basin, Niobrara)
Wyoming RFP for hydrogen projects
The Wyoming Energy Authority issued a Request for Proposals
(RFP) for the “State of Wyoming Pilot Project: Design and/or
Construction of a Pilot Project Demonstrating ‘Green’ or ‘Blue’
Hydrogen Production and Use.” The goal of the program is to
identify actual and proposed benefits of hydrogen projects for
Wyoming, its residents, and communities. Potential H2 benefits
include infrastructure development, business creation or retention,
job creation or retention, technological advancement, intellectual
property rights and commercialization.
HighPoint files for bankruptcy, merging with Bonanza
HighPoint Resources, a Denver-based company focused on the
development of oil and natural gas in the Denver-Julesburg Basin
of Colorado, announced in March it has filed for voluntary Chapter
11 bankruptcy protection. HighPoint filed a prepackaged plan that
gained enough votes from shareholders to approve a merger with
Bonanza Creek Energy, which also focuses on the DJ Basin. Once
the $376 million merger is complete, Bonanza Creek shareholders
will own 68% of the combined company.

MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 17

SHALE
NEWS

BAKKEN/WILLISTON the Powder River Basin for $215 HAYNESVILLE

Bakken gas production
hits new high
Even though the active rig count
in the Bakken remains
low following a pullback by
drillers in 2020, natural gas
production in the play hit an
all-time high by the end of
2020 and again in early 2021.
According to S&P Global Platts
Analytics, Bakken production
in December increased to 2.1
Bcf/d (59.4 X 106 m3), which
is 135 MMcf/d (3.8 X 106 m3)
above December 2019. Use of
the Northern Border Pipeline in
the Bakken also hit new highs
at 2 Bcf/d (56.6 X 106 m3), or
180 MMcf/d (5.1 X 106 m3) above
December 2019 levels.
Continental to raise
spending in 2021
Continental Resources, one of
the biggest producers in the
Bakken, has bumped up its
forecasted spending in 2021
from $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion
given the recent recovery of oil
prices. The company projects
producing up to 165,000 b/d
of oil. Continental produced
160,505 b/d of oil in 2020.
The company also purchased
130,000 net acres (52,609 ha)
and 9000 b/d of production in
million from an unnamed seller.
Equinor sells Bakken
assets
Norwegian government-owned
Equinor, formerly Statoil, will sell
its Bakken Shale assets to a
new player, Grayson Mill Energy,
backed by private investment
firm EnCap Investments.
The $900 million deal includes
242,000 net acres (97,934 ha)
in the Bakken.
Enerplus completes
purchase of Bruin
In March, Enerplus Corp., with
operations in both the Marcellus
and Williston basins, closed
on its previously announced
acquisition of Bruin E&P, a
pure-play Williston Basin private
company. Enerplus paid $465
million in cash. Bruin holds
155,500 acres of leases and
operates 459 wells.
Crestwood Bakken sets
record gas volume
Crestwood Equity Partners’
Arrow system in the Bakken
Shale hit record volumes for
natural gas, crude and water
in the final quarter of 2020,
with “a lot more activity”
expected in 2021. Compared
Vine Energy files for IPO
Vine Energy, backed by investment firm Blackstone, is a major
producer of natural gas in the Louisiana Haynesville. Vine recently
filed an IPO to raise up to $350 million. Vine previously filed to raise
$500 million in April 2017 but withdrew the IPO two years later.
The company owns approximately 125,000 acres in Northwest
Louisiana.
The company focuses on developing the stacked Haynesville
and Mid-Bossier layers. As of Dec. 31, Vine had approximately 370
net producing wells and roughly 25 years of future drilling locations.
Tellurian wells increase production
Tellurian, with plans to build the ~ 27.6 mtpa Driftwood LNG export
facility and an associated pipeline in Louisiana, owns active
upstream assets in the Haynesville, including 9373 net acres
and interests in 72 producing wells. Tellurian reports its assets
produced 16.9 Bcf of natural gas for the year ended Dec. 31, up from
13.9 Bcf for the prior year.
Goodrich picks up more acreage
Goodrich Petroleum acquired an extra 2000 net acres in the core
of the Haynesville in Caddo Parish, La., in Q4 2020, bringing the
company’s acreage totals in the Haynesville to approximately
49,000 gross (26,000 net) acres.
The company drills for natural gas and oil in the Haynesville
Shale, the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale, and in the Eagle Ford. Goodrich
production in 2020 averaged 134 MMcfe/d (98% gas)
to Q4 2019, Arrow natural gas In Q4 2020 Crestwood saw
processing volumes increased the return of rig activity in the
45%, natural gas gathering Bakken, Delaware Permian, and
volumes increased 38%, water the Barnett shale as producers
gathering volumes increased resumed drilling and completion
21%, and oil gathering volumes activities with rising crude
increased 5%. prices. CT2

EAGLE FORD (Austin Chalk,
Tuscaloosa Marine Shale)
Magnolia continues Giddings
Field program
Magnolia Oil & Gas drills in the Eagle Ford and
Austin Chalk in Karnes County, Texas, and
the Giddings Field covering several South
Texas counties. Magnolia currently operates
one rig in Giddings that continues to drill
multi-well pads in the company’s 70 acre
(28.3 ha) core developmental area. Drilling
is not currently planned in Karnes County.
The total cost per well in the Giddings Field
continues to improve, with recent well costs
averaging $6.5 million.
Penn Virginia running two rigs
Penn Virginia Corp., a pure-play driller in the
Eagle Ford, restarted its drilling program
this year and plans to maintain two active
rigs throughout 2021. The company had
temporarily suspended drilling in 2020 when
the COVID-19 pandemic hit. CEO Darrin Henke
said the company could slow its drilling
program if costs rise faster than expected.
The company plans to spend $205 to 235
million this year on drilling and completions.
Ovintiv sells EF assets
Ovintiv (formerly Encana) announced the
sale of its Eagle Ford assets for $880 million
to Validus Energy. Ovintiv bought the Eagle
Ford assets in 2014 for $3.1 billion from
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. CEO Doug Suttles
said proceeds will allow the company to pay
down its debt.

18 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021

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OFFSHORE MAINTENANCE
SULZER
Working
under
pressure
R
eplacing important
operational assets,
such as large motors,
requires considerable planning
in any industry, but when the
assets are 100 miles (160 km)
out to sea, it is essential that
everything goes to plan. For
one Shell platform in the North
Sea, Sulzer, the Winterhur,
Switzerland-based specialist in
compressor, motor, turbine and
generator service, was called in
to replace two large high voltage
(HV) motors as part of a major
maintenance project. Keeping to
the planned schedule was vital
to minimizing costs associated
with lost production.
Offshore platforms present
significant challenges for
both the equipment and the
personnel that work on them.
Their remote location, the
harsh environment and the
need for extreme reliability,
means that major components,
such as motors, pumps and
compressors need to be
maintained regularly.
Time for a change
For the Shell Gannet A platform,
two gas compressor motors
were beyond their original
design life of 20 years and were
20 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021
due to be replaced. This was
verified by Sulzer during routine
maintenance and inspections on
the platform.
Working under an existing
agreement with Shell, Sulzer
was contracted to remove
the 15,400 kW flash gas
compressor motor and replace
it with a Laurence Scott motor
purchased by Shell. This type
of replacement project takes
considerable planning and
Sulzer used the time available
to get everything in place before
the planned maintenance
window.
One of the first challenges
to be tackled was the lifting
constraints of the platform itself.
Sulzer team
replaces
two large
compressor
motors at
offshore oil
installation
Sulzer service personnel
use a rotor withdrawal kit
to reassemble the new
compressor motor.
The new compressor motor
weighed 36 tons (33 tonnes),
which exceeded the limits of the
crane used to transfer it from
the supply vessel to the platform
deck. It would, therefore, be
necessary to disassemble the
motor into several components
to allow transfer from the supply
vessel to the platform, where it
would be assembled.
Usually, this would not
have been a problem, but
in this case the deck space
was at a premium due to the
size of the motor and the
amount of equipment that
was required to complete the
wider maintenance project. A
rotor withdrawal kit and gantry
system was designed and
manufactured, which would
be used on the platform’s main
deck to remove the rotor from
the stator and assemble the
new machine on the deck.
Expanding project scope
During the preparations for the
installation of the flash gas
motor, plans to ensure that
every aspect of the project was
covered were created, including
scenario planning and risk
assessment of all the jobs that
needed to be completed. Then,
two months before the project
was to begin, Shell requested
that Sulzer also install a second
8950 kW motor for the sales gas
 OFFSHORE MAINTENANCE
The rotor of the new compressor motor is installed.
compressor.
This would mean that in the
same timeframe, the engineers
would need to complete the
installation of two motors, and
this dictated that the size of
the team would have to be
doubled to accomplish the task
on time. Fortunately, Sulzer has
considerable resources of skilled
manpower and the second team
was quickly assembled.
The project to replace the
SULZER
Sulzer maintenance personnel
led the effort to replace a pair of
compressor more from a Shell
platform in the North Sea. The
motors, used to drive flash and
sales gas compressors, were
beyond their 20-year design life.
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for reliability?
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two main production motors an industry-standard PEEK
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save energy
Practice makes perfect
Laurence Scott built a new, Visit xp.hoerbiger.com to learn more about XP Valves.
replacement motor for Shell
and it was shipped to Sulzer’s
Falkirk Service Center. Here, the
engineers that would travel to
the platform performed a trial
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disassembly of the motor using
OFFSHORE MAINTENANCE
SULZER
a rotor withdrawal kit and gantry
crane system. This equipment
could be used on both new
motors, even though they came
from different manufacturers.
During the project planning
stage, it was identified that
there was minimal shimming
underneath the original flash
gas motor. This had the potential
to cause difficulties when the
new motor was aligned to the
compressor, so the feet of the
new motor were skimmed by
a couple of millimeters prior to
final packing. The new motors
were then shipped to the
platform in component form,
where the surrounding gantry
system was assembled, the
rotors threaded into the main
stators and the motors fully
reassembled on the main deck.
Installing the new motors
The assembly of a new motor
on the pipe deck of a drilling
platform with the surrounding
marine environment meant that
a protective habitat needed to
be built over the gantry crane
where the rotor and stator would
Experience, Reliability, Integrity...
The AXH manufacturing complex consists of six plants, totaling 585,500 SF on 67 acres.
be reassembled. The process
needed to replicate the one
completed in the service center
to ensure a high build quality.
As soon as the
compressors were shut
down for maintenance, Sulzer
engineers started work to
remove the original motors
from their mountings. They
disconnected the coolers before
disassembling parts of the
platform around the motor to
enable the assets to be lifted
out of position and placed on
the deck.
“Due to the importance of
these motors, it was essential
to keep to the timetable for
the whole shutdown period,
since any overrun would incur
significant costs,” said Bryan
Reid, Site Services manager for
Sulzer. “We carried out extensive
planning and risk mitigation to
ensure that the project was
executed with the customer’s
goals in mind.”
When any unplanned
downtime has such
considerable costs associated
with it, and the time required to
The stator of one of the replacement compressor motors is craned to the
assembly area. With lift capacity on the platform limited, the motors needed to
be disassembled to allow transfer from the supply vessel to the platform.
procure a replacement motor throughout. The ability to adapt
is approximately 40 weeks, to challenges which developed
the cost of an unexpected during the change out allowed
motor failure could amount to the scope to be delivered as
hundreds of millions of dollars.” per the plan and with a perfect
safety result.”
Installation complete “The project required
“The support and input into the extensive planning to deliver
project build and development it within the shutdown period,
phase far surpassed our and Shell has expressed its
expectations and flowed appreciation for the efforts
seamlessly into the execution of the whole team” said Reid.
phase of the change-out,” “By committing experienced
said Greg Chapman, Electrical resources and expertise in
Support engineer for Shell on offshore engineering, we have
Gannet A platform. “The skill set delivered our share of the
and experience of the team that maintenance outage to the
carried out the work offshore complete satisfaction of the
was exceptional and evident customer.” CT2
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 EURO GAS
AS
REPORT
BULGARIA
Bulgartransgaz signs deals for
construction of two gas pipelines
Bulgaria’s state-owned Bulgartransgaz said
in mid-March that it had awarded contracts
worth a combined BGN39.1mn ($23.5mn) for
the construction of two new gas pipelines
in the country. The deals were signed in
February.
According to two separate notices filed
with Bulgaria’s public procurement agency,
the larger of the contracts is worth BGN24mn
($14mn), and covers the construction of a
pipeline to Pirdop and Panagyurishte. It was
awarded to a joint venture between Bulgaria’s
Atomenergoremont and North Macedonia’s
Rapid Build.
The smaller of the contracts covers a
pipeline to Svishtov and was awarded to a
joint venture between Glavbolgarstroy and
Glavbolgarstroy International.
The contracts do not include the value
of the materials and equipment required
for the projects, which will be supplied by
Bulgartransgaz.
Separately, later in March it was
announced that Bulgartransgaz had signed
a BGN5.3mn ($3.2mn) contract for drafting
an investment project for the upgrading
of above-ground facilities at the
ANNA KACHKOVA is an
THE AUTHOR
independent oil and gas writer
based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
She has over 10 years’ experience
of covering the energy industry, including
five years in Houston, Texas, as NewsBase’s
North America editor. Her email address is:
aikachkova@gmail.com
24 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021
Chiren natural gas storage site.
The contract was announced by Bulgarian
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, and involves
the PGH-Chiren Engineering consortium,
which is now due to produce a draft of the
investment project within 10 months.
Bulgaria will aim to complete the upgrades
GERMANY
EUGAL pipeline becomes fully
operational
Germany’s Gascade announced on April 1
that the EUGAL pipeline can now operate
at its full capacity of up to 1.9 tcf/y (5.5
× 1010 m3/y). Both EUGAL lines and the
compressor station serving the project
are now operational.
Gas has been flowing through the first
of the EUGAL lines since January 2020,
but Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline,
from which EUGAL is set to receive
gas, remains delayed as a result of US
sanctions. It is around 95% complete,
with only a small section of offshore
pipeline still to be laid in Danish waters.
A second pipelaying vessel has been
deployed by Russia’s Gazprom, and the
Danish Maritime Authority estimated
most recently that construction could
EUGAL is served by the
Radeland 2 compressor
station in Brandenburg.
Anna Kachkova
provides information
on the latest gas
compression news
from Europe
by 2024, according to Borissov.
Data from the public procurement agency
showed that the consortium includes
Germany’s DIAG Industries, as
well as Bulgaria’s Turbine Spare Parts
Services Partners and Chimcomplect
Engineering.
last until the end of September. Further
delays cannot be ruled out, though.
Nonetheless, EUGAL’s completion
means that once Nord Stream 2 enters
service, the capacity to transport the gas
onwards across Europe already exists.
The 480-km (298-mile) pipeline runs from
Germany’s Baltic Sea coast to the German-
Czech border, largely along the route of the
existing OPAL pipeline.
EUGAL is served by the Radeland 2
compressor station in Brandenburg, which

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA,
SERBIA
Srbijagas, Gas-Res sign deal on gas
pipeline
Serbia’s state-owned Srbijagas announced in
mid-March that it had signed an agreement
with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Gas-Res
on the construction of a new gas pipeline
between the two countries.
The gas pipeline would connect Indjija in
northern Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s
Novi Grad on the northwestern border with
Croatia. It will cover 320 km (199 miles) of
territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina and
90 km (56 km) in Serbia, and will have the
capacity to carry 42.2 Bcf/y (1.2 × 109 m3/y)
of gas.
The project is designed to connect
Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia’s gas
Gascade describes as “one of the most
modern compressor stations in Western
Europe”. The station contains three
compressors, each with a capacity of
22.1 MW, powered by Solar Titan 250 gas
turbines. The maximum working pressure
is 100 bar.
Jens Schumann, managing director of
Gasunie Deutschland, which is a partner
in EUGAL, noted that the pipeline “can
be an essential element in a European
hydrogen network in the future.”
Eugal pipeline,
shown
here under
construction,
is now fully
operational.
pipeline network, and to the Balkan Stream
project. The latter is an extension of Russia’s
TurkStream pipeline, which allows Bulgaria,
Serbia and Hungary to receive Russian gas
via Turkey.
The only existing compressor station on
the Balkan Stream pipeline is located at Velika
Plana in eastern Serbia, with two more due to
come online this year in Bulgaria.
The agreement between Srbijagas
and Gas-Res comes after there has been
speculation by government officials in
Bosnia and Herzegovina that a new branch of
TurkStream could be built, extending to their
country.
Separately, Serbia is pushing ahead with
work on the planned Bulgaria-Serbia gas
interconnector, and launched a tender for
the construction of that project earlier in
early March. The country is aiming to select a
contractor for the project, which is estimated
to be worth EUR85.5mn ($100.7mn), by the
end of May.
CYPRUS, GREECE, ITALY
IGI Poseidon signs further
agreement on EastMed pipeline
IGI Poseidon announced that together with
the Israel Natural Gas Lines Company it had
signed an addendum to their memorandum
of understanding (MoU) from 2019 on the
development of the EastMed pipeline.
The new agreement, which updates
the MoU, calls on the two companies to
co-operate on building the infrastructure
necessary to connect Israel with the planned
pipeline, which will carry natural gas to Italy,
as well as the rest of Europe via Cyprus.
The governments of Israel, Greece and
Cyprus signed a deal in January 2020 to
build the 1900-km (1180-mile) EastMed
pipeline, which is expected to cost $6 to $7
bn and would have an initial capacity of 353
Bcf/y (1 × 1010 m3/y). Turkey has opposed the
project, but the administration of former US
President Donald Trump supported it. The
new administration, under U.S. President
Joe Biden, has not said anything about the
project since taking over in January. However,
given that the US remains concerned about
Russia’s dominance over gas supplies into
Europe, an alternative may be welcomed.
EURO GAS
REPORT
NORWAY, UK
Ancala wins Solveig gas
transportation contract
Lundin Energy Norway has awarded
Ancala Midstream a contract to transport
and process gas from the Solveig field in
the Norwegian North Sea. Under the life-
of-field contract, which is reported to be
worth over GBP10mn ($14mn), gas will be
transported and processed via the Beryl
pipeline and the Ancala-operated Scottish
Area Gas Evacuation (SAGE) pipeline and
terminal at St Fergus, Scotland.
Solveig is a tie-back to the Edvard
Grieg field, which has been producing
since 2015, and is anticipated to come
online in the third quarter of this year.
Under the deal, Ancala will also provide
transportation and processing for an
extended production test at Lundin’s
Rolvsnes discovery, which is due to start
up in the third quarter of 2022.
Solveig will be the first of two new
fields being tied into SAGE in 2021, along
with Zennor Petroleum’s Finlaggan field.
The start-up of the two fields will raise
throughput on SAGE to 55%.
“We have worked closely with Lundin
to develop innovative solutions to the
technical challenges faced and in doing
so reduced project development costs
for the Solveig and Rolvsnes owners,”
Ancala’s CEO, Jim Halliday, was quoted by
media as saying.
The SAGE system comprises a
200-mile, 30-in. bore pipeline and a gas
processing terminal. It transports gas from
across the UK and Norwegian portions of
the North Sea. From the terminal, gas is
supplied to the UK’s national grid.
IGI Poseidon, which is a 50:50 joint
venture between Greece’s DEPA and Italy’s
Edison, said that the latest agreement
highlighted the “maturity” of the EastMed
project and helped pave the way to finalizing
the pipeline’s development path in 2022. If
a final investment decision (FID) is reached
in 2022 as planned, the developers would
target a construction completion date of
2025. CT2
MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 25
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REGIONAL REPORT
INDIA

REGIONAL REPORT:

India’s ambitious
gas push India is pursuing a goal
of raising the share of
natural gas in its energy

I
ndia has embarked on a major push to
increase the share of natural gas in its
energy mix. The Asian country has set
a goal of raising gas’ share of the energy
supplies to 15% by 2030, from around 6%
currently.
The target is seen as an ambitious one
– perhaps even too ambitious – and the
COVID-19 pandemic threatens to slow India’s
progress on meeting this goal. Nonetheless,
a major investment program into natural gas
infrastructure is underway and there are
steps the country can take in order to help
spur its gas push.
highways in the country and developing
5,000 compressed biogas plants with a
projected capacity of 15mn tonnes.
The investment target “seems ambitious
in nature,” Goyal said. “Moreover, this
investment is a blend of private sector,
public sector entities as well as government
spending, with private sector entities making
the largest contribution.”
Given this expectation for private sector
participation, making India attractive to
investors will likely need to be a priority for
the country’s government. Some of the
challenges facing the country currently may
mix to 15% by 2030, and
needs to take major steps
in order to meet this
target. By Anna Kachkova
prove to be a deterrent, though.
Goyal said the growth of natural gas
in India faces multiple challenges: the
exclusion of gas under the Goods & Services
Tax regime, limited pipeline connectivity

Big spender
In support of its gas goal, India has set out
plans to invest $60bn into gas infrastructure
across the country by 2024.
“The target of $60bn of gas infrastructure
investment mentioned by the Government
of India by 2024 comprises development of
pipelines, LNG terminals and CGD (city gas
distribution) networks in the country,” Vasu
Goyal, a senior gas analyst in the Climate and
Sustainability team at consultancy IHS Markit,
told COMPRESSORTECH2.
Planned investments include doubling
the gas transmission pipeline network from
17,000 km (10,600 miles) currently to 34,000
km (21,100 miles), as well as the expansion of
regasification capacity from 42mn tonnes/
year to 61mn tonnes/year through the
addition of new LNG import terminals on both
the east and west coasts of the country.
Other planned investments will go towards
growing CGD infrastructure, establishing
1,000 LNG-fuelling stations across the key

28 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021

 REGIONAL REPORT
INDIA

to the southern and eastern parts of the bringing significant volumes of gas to the allows the Kochi LNG terminal to operate at
country, depressed domestic gas prices, southern and eastern parts of the country for its 5mn tonnes/year design capacity – a
and the limited demand for gas from power the first time. significant improvement given that IHS Markit
producers. While the Indian gas sector Notable examples of projects being data show the facility operating at just 21% of
is growing at a “healthy” pace and has wrapped up include state-owned GAIL (India) its capacity in July-September 2020.
attracted major international players, these Ltd’s completion of the Kochi-Mangalore Additionally, Indian Minister for Petroleum
challenges need to be overcome in order to pipeline project in November 2020. This and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said
encourage further foreign participation, he
said.
“The target of a 15% share in the energy
mix is also ambitious considering the
country’s growing energy needs,” Goyal
said. “In order to achieve the 15% target,
the government has to push for strong
reforms in the gas sector; boost the gas
in power demand, subsiding coal; improve
the domestic gas price regime to promote
indigenous production; and reduce taxation
on natural gas.”

Progress made
There may be significant obstacles to
overcome, but progress has certainly been
made to bring the country to its current
level of gas infrastructure – with this set
to continue, and indeed accelerate. In
2020, India commissioned two LNG import
terminals and expanded its pipeline network,
Markets served:
The Jaigarh LNG import terminal has the EUROPE
potential to boost India’s capacity to receive
CIS
natural gas. Photo courtesy of H-Energy.
MIDDLE EAST
AFRICA
ASIA

www.eurogassystems.com

MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 29

REGIONAL REPORT
INDIA
the country has started construction of its
first 50 LNG stations. These developments
come during a year when COVID-19 severely
disrupted plans in India and globally.
Although the pandemic continues to pose
a risk, the pace of expansion bodes well
for an acceleration of gas infrastructure
development in the country. Indeed, data
analytics and consulting firm GlobalData
said in early April that India was expected to
account for one third of oil and gas project
start-ups in the Asia-Pacific region by
2025. This translates into 647 oil and gas
projects, including 80 upstream projects
and 123 midstream ones, while refining and
petrochemical start-ups make up the rest of
the number.
“The proportion of gas projects expected
to start operations in the upstream (fields)
segment by 2025 is 53%, midstream 43%,
and in trunk/transmission pipelines 55%,”
Soorya Tejomoortula, an oil and gas analyst
at GlobalData, told COMPRESSORTECH2.
Tejomoortula said GlobalData’s forecast is
based on information culled from company
web pages, annual reports, news and press
releases, presentations, company reports,
and regulatory filings, but added that the
global pandemic may continue to upend
announced plans. “We understand that as
in 2020, the resurgence of the COVID-19
pandemic once gain in India represents a
major risk for the start years of upcoming
projects (already India seems to witnessing
second wave of COVID-19),” he said.
Because of this, some of the planned
start-ups could be delayed. Nonetheless,
GlobalData appears to be confident that
these projects will eventually reach
completion. The fact that more midstream
projects are anticipated to come online than
upstream ones demonstrates the country’s
growing reliance on imports to meet its gas
needs.
“India is one of the largest consumers
and importers of oil and gas in the world
due to its economic growth,” commented
Tejomoortula in GlobalData’s April 1 release.
“Though India is taking steps to increase oil
and gas production, the focus is more on the
development of midstream, refineries and
petrochemicals infrastructure for greater
30 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021
India has plans to invest $60 billion on
gas infrastructure, including city gas
distribution networks shown here.
imports, processing, transport and storage.”
This is in line with consultancy Rystad
Energy’s expectations that India’s LNG
PHOTO COURTESY OF BAHARAT PETROLEUM
demand will surge from 25mn tonnes/year in
2020 to almost 45m tonnes/year in 2030 and
85mn tonnes/year in 2040, as domestic gas
production falls.
Rystad projects that India’s overall gas
demand will rise from 2.3 tcf/y (6.4 × 1010
m3/y) in 2020 to 3.7 tcf/y (1.05 × 1011 m3/y)
in 2030 and 5.2 tcf/y (1.47 × 1011 m3/y) in
2040, with increases in the power, fertilizer,
industrial and transportation sectors acting shift away from coal to gas more rapidly.
as the main drivers. However, it also poses a huge challenge,
Already, demand for natural gas from given the high levels of dependence on coal
Indian power plants was reported to have in the country.
shot up during parts of 2020. However, this
was attributed in large part to Indian buyers Projects to watch
snapping up cheap LNG as spot prices for There are a number of major projects in
the super-chilled fuel sank to new lows – a the works that could significantly advance
trend that was exacerbated by Covid-19 India’s gas ambitions if they are completed
depressing global demand. And while as planned. In terms of key LNG import
Asian countries are increasingly making terminals under development, both IHS
decarbonization a long-term priority, the Markit’s Goyal and GlobalData’s Tejomoortula
respective cost-competitiveness of coal and cited the Jafrabad, Jaigarh and Dhamra
LNG continues to be a factor. splants as having the potential to boost
That said, Bloomberg reported in mid- Indian capacity significantly. Goyal also
March that senior Indian government officials listed the Ratnagiri and Karaikal LNG projects
are currently debating whether to set a as being of particular significance, while
target of bringing the country’s greenhouse Tejomoortula mentioned the Chhara LNG
gas (GHG) emissions down to zero on a terminal, with GlobalData’s figures indicating
net basis by 2050. The news service cited that it had one of the largest regasification
sources familiar with the matter as saying capacities among the major plants under
policymakers were also considering a development. GlobalData also singled out
deadline of 2047, as this would mark the the Karwar floating LNG (FLNG) project in its
centenary of India’s independence from release.
British rule. In terms of gas pipelines, GlobalData
India is currently the world’s third-largest highlighted the Jagdishpur-Haldia Phase II
GHG emitter, and pressure has been rising on project in particular in its release. This 1,900-
its government to adopt a net-zero pledge km (1,180-mile) pipeline is being built at an
ahead of this year’s UN Climate Change estimated cost of $1.4bn and is expected to
Conference (COP26). enter service in 2022.
If India ends up adopting a 2050 net-zero Both Goyal and Tejomoortula said the
target, this would put it 10 years ahead of Ennore-Tuticorin and Mallavaram-Bhilwara
China, which won praise in some quarters pipelines will help India meet its projected
last year by setting a net-zero deadline of targets. Goyal also listed GAIL’s Kochi-
2060. And such a target could help India to Mangalore project – which came online in
 REGIONAL REPORT
INDIA

January – AP Gas Distribution Co.’s Kakinada-
Vizag-Srikakulam pipeline and Indradhanush
Gas Grid Ltd’s North-East Natural Gas Pipeline,
while Tejomoortula also flagged up the
Mehsana-Bhatinda project.
These are merely a handful of the projects
that the analysts expect to have the most
meaningful impact in terms of capacity
additions. Other ventures are also under
development and have the potential to bring
India closer to its gas targets. However, it is
clear that even as India makes significant
progress, it still faces major obstacles still
remain.
Looking ahead
The adoption of a net-zero target could
certainly help accelerate India’s gas push.
Questions remain over how realistic such
targets are for any country, especially given
that the technologies likely required to meet
them have yet to be commercialized. Often,
such targets are accompanied by general
ideas on how they are to be met, rather
than detailed roadmaps. Nonetheless, the
energy transition is gaining momentum, and
decarbonization is being treated with an
increasing sense of urgency.
In the medium term at least, this bodes
well for natural gas, especially in regions
such as Asia, where the fuel has the potential
to displace high levels of coal use for power
generation. In the longer term, the picture
is more complicated, with environmental
groups among those calling for all fossil
fuels including gas to be phased out and
replaced primarily by renewables. The oil
and gas industry, meanwhile, is among
those insisting that fossil fuels – and gas
in particular – will be needed for decades
to come as energy demand continues to
grow and renewable sources remain unable
to meet all of that demand. Additionally,
economics will continue to play a major role
in the pace of the energy transition.
In India’s case, it appears certain that the
share of gas in the country’s energy mix –
and the infrastructure required to support it –
will grow significantly over the coming years.
But whether it will grow quickly enough to
meet India’s ambitious targets is far less
clear. CT2

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A longer look
at lubrication
O
ften when a company develops
a new product, the main effect is
hopefully a positive impact on the
manufacturer’s bottom line. There are times,
however, when developing something new
leads to a whole different way at looking
at how a technology can impact a market
segment – and even the world at large.
Sloan Lubrication Systems has
discovered that through the development
and launch of its TriCip lubrication system.
Unveiled in late 2018, TriCip combines a
proprietary lubricating fluid with a precision
delivery system and advanced controls
and monitoring to achieve up to a 90%
reduction in compressor lube rates to
address over-lubrication. More than 150 units
were in operation as of the end of 2020, the
company said.
Yet as TriCip has made its way into the
field, it has given the Freeport, Pa.-based lube
system specialist new perspectives on how
lubrication issues can have an impact far
beyond what has been understood before.
“What we’ve learned through the
experience we’ve had with TriCip is that
lube systems have a much broader effect
on the overall pipeline and gas quality
and operations that than we’d ever really
considered,” said Eric Sloan, marketing
manager at the family-owned manufacturer.
The application
of Sloan’s TriCip
lubrication
system has
provided new
perspectives on
the impacts its
technology can
have downstream
and on the
climate.
“Some of the issues that our customers
are dealing with – contamination of the gas
stream, metering station contamination,
excess oil build-up in pipelines, etc. – are very
big issues. TriCip is a cost-effective solution
versus available options to remove excess oil
after it is already in the pipeline.”
Advanced control system
TriCip also offers significant benefits on the
power side of integral compressors, where
over-lubrication is common and problematic,
Sloan said. The system’s advanced control
system can be utilized to automatically
adjust lubrication rates based on varying
engine speeds (rpm) and horsepower.
“The problem is that the gas stream isn’t
always the same,” Sloan said. “The ethane
content varies and as that changes, the
rated horsepower is altered as well. If you
don’t adjust the lubrication rate, you’re going
to be over-lubricating the engine.
“That oil is either burned, which
contributes directly to the emissions, or it
fouls the catalysts, or it ends up in the stack
getting dispersed around the site or creates
a carbon buildup.”
The company will be describing those
issues more completely in a paper it will
present at GMRC’s upcoming Engine Analyzer
& Reliability Workshop, to be held July 19-21
LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGY
SLOAN LUBRICATION
Sloan Lubrication
studying effects lube
systems can have on
equipment, pipelines
and the environment.
By Mike Brezonick
in Louisville, Ky.
“What we have learned has helped
us look at it from more of a pipeline-wide
perspective,” Sloan said, “and understand
the effects that the lubrication system can
have on the entire pipeline versus just on
the individual compressor or at the individual
compressor station.
“I think at this point, in 2021, TriCip is
saving somewhere between 35,000 and
75,000 gal. of lube oil that would otherwise
end up in a pipeline. All of that does
contribute directly to carbon emissions
and we’re trying to pivot toward thinking
about what does this all mean in terms of a
company’s carbon impact?
“Energy companies are setting really
ambitions goals and it’s made us consider
how we can have a significant impact on
those goals. We’re starting to look at it from
the perspective of how we can help our
customers meet the ambitious climate goals
that they’re setting.”
Part of the solution
In support of this new way of thinking,
Sloan Lubrication Systems is in the process
of addressing its own climate impacts.
Beginning with a strategic planning
initiative in early 2021, the company has
revised its mission statement, highlighting
sustainability, with a goal of implementing a
defined ESG strategy by the end of the year.
“Watching the fast pace of change
in our industry in response its growing
understanding of long-term impacts has
been fascinating. The real solutions will
come from the efforts and innovation in
our industry, and we want to be a part of
that.” CT2
MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 33
COMPANY NEWS
EURO GAS SYSTEMS
A second
decade of
growth
W
hen Euro Gas Systems (EGS)
was founded in March 2010,
the Romanian company was
primarily focused on serving the European
and Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS) markets with gas compression
manufacturing and packaging services.
Indeed, its very first compression packages
were sold to a gas exploration and
production company in the nearby Russian
Federation and in its first two years, it
“Today we can proudly
say that due to the
dedication and hard
work of the EGS team, the
company is experiencing
rapid growth and market
share, allowing for the
manufacturing facilities
expansions we are
investing in.”
ROGER WACHTER, EGS general manager.
34 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021
Euro Gas Systems’
continuous investments
spur continuous expansion
delivered packages to the Ukraine, Russia,
Kazakhstan and Poland.
But while in the intervening years EGS has
grown into one of the largest compressor
packagers in Europe, it has also become
very apparent that the company has
ambitions well beyond a single region. That
is evidenced by how EGS has expanded its
product range and industry affiliations, along
with regular – and significant – additions and Since its founding in 2010, Euro Gas Systems
enhancements to its manufacturing and (EGS) has continued to expand its fabrication
fabrication capabilities. and packaging capabilities, which now
“Today we can proudly say that due to encompasses three plants, with another
the dedication and hard work of the EGS coming this year.
team, the company is experiencing rapid
growth and market share, allowing for the
manufacturing facilities expansions we are midstream (pipeline transmission, gas
investing in,” said Roger Wachter, general storage injection/withdrawal). EGS company
manager for EGS. also repackages existing compressor
EGS specializes in natural gas engine and equipment to meet EU directives including
electric motor driven compressor packages PED, ATEX, Mechanical Directive, Low Voltage
from 40 to 5000 hp (30 kW to 3.6 MW), tailor- Directive and CE Marking. EGS’s integrated
made to customer requirements through its management system encompasses quality,
in-house engineering capability that includes environmental protection, occupational
design and manufacturing of all pressure health and safety and radiological security
vessels and process systems. in accordance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and
The company offers packages for OHSAS 18001 standards.
upstream (wellhead compression, gas Since beginning, the company sought to
gathering, air and nitrogen injection) and expand its geographic reach and now also

In 2014, EGS established a separate NDT
(non-destructive testing) lab to meet its own
testing needs as well as those of other area
manufacturers.
In early 2019, EGS completed an
expansion of Plant 2, roughly doubling the
working area. As that wasn’t enough to
keep up with market demand, last spring
EGS completed the construction of Plant
3, a 17,000 sq. ft (1579 m2) shop dedicated
The Jaigarh LNG import terminal has the
potential to boost India’s capacity to receive
natural gas. Photo courtesy of H-Energy. Along with continually improving its
facilities, EGS made significant investments
in machinery, most recently a customized
MicroStep DRM CNC five-axis robotic plasma
and oxy/acetylene cutting machine capable
cutting and processing complex forms.
serves the Middle East, Africa and Asian
markets.
Steady Progress
An early significant expansion for EGS came
when it became an Authorized Packager
for Ariel Corporation in 2013, which followed
the establishment of a new assembly plant
(Plant 2) in 2012. In the following years, the
company continued its growth by extending
the offices and manufacture space and by
becoming a Platinum Packager for INNIO
Waukesha and OEM for Caterpillar.
COMPANY NEWS
EURO GAS SYSTEMS
to pressure vessels, skids and other steel
fabrications. Plant 3, can accommodate
vessel diameters up to 10 ft. (3 m), lengths up
to 42 ft. (13 m), with thicknesses up to 2.5 in.
(63 mm). It can also fabricate structural skids
up to 16 ft. (5 m) wide x 42 ft. (13 m) long.
The new facility has seven dedicated
vessel welding stalls, four additional sub-
assembly worktables and approximately
1237 sq.ft. (115 m2) of open floor space
that can be used for construction of skids
and larger products or additional vessel
fabrication.
Plant 3 incorporates two 15 metric ton
Konecranes traveling bridge cranes with jib
hoists; and an I/H beam contouring system
for skid fabrication up to 36 in. (91 cm) in
height which also can cut openings in shells
and heads up to 80 in. (2 m) in diameter
utilizing CAD/CAM software.
Other machinery includes a Davi MCB K30
four-roll vessel shell rolling machine, capable
of forming 2.48 in. (63 mm) thick, 10 ft. (3
m) diameter shells, a 400 ton (362 tonne)
Durma press break for steel plate bending
and a YCM double-column CNC vertical/
horizontal machining center with a with
33,069 lb. (15,000 kg) table load capability
for machining compressor/engine sub skid
modules.
MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 35
COMPANY NEWS
EURO GAS SYSTEMS
EGS supplies engine and electric motor driven compressor packages from 40
to 5000 hp (30 kW to 3.6 MW). The company is an authorized packager for Ariel
Corp., a platinum packager for INNIO Waukesha and an OEM for Caterpillar.
With Plant 3, ESG now has a total
manufacturing space of 82,000 sq. ft.
(7600 m2).
More Capability
Since Plant 3 opened, EGS has continued to
enhance its capabilities, with the most recent
investment being a customized MicroStep
DRM 12001 CNC five-axis robotic plasma and
oxy/acetylene cutting machine capable of
processing plates up to 6.5 x 16.4 ft. (2 x 5
m). The MicroStep machine incorporates a
scanner designed for scanning of 3D shapes,
enabling it to cut and process complex
forms.
“This investment allows EGS to not only
to support our ever-growing international
market demand but also allows our team to
streamline production time with increased
accuracy throughout all stages of the
manufacturing process,” said Wachter.
“Improvements in efficiency will result in product
cost reduction and improve delivery time of our gas
compression equipment for our customers.”
ROGER WACHTER, EGS general manager.
36 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021
“Improvements in efficiency will result in
product cost reduction and improve delivery
time of our gas compression equipment for
our customers.”
More Products
Along with bolstering its fabrication and
assembly capabilities, EGS has also
expanded its product range. It began
packaging screw compressor systems,
utilizing Sulliar and GEA screw compressors,
in 2015 and in 2017, developed its first
in-house air-cooled finned tube heat
exchangers for gas, oil and/or water
applications. The heat exchanger business
has grown to the extent that there is now a
dedicated Air Cooled Heat Exchanger (ACHE)
division of EGS.
The company has also developed
customized generator sets incorporating
reciprocating engines from 400 to 5000 hp
(298 to 3728 kW) WEG, ABB and Leroy-Somer
alternators and ComAp controls.
More To Come
EGS said it has secured additional property
and has begun construction of an additional
manufacturing facility on the same campus
as Plants 2 and 3. Plant 4 production will
be dedicated to heat exchangers, which
are sold as separate products and used in
EGS compressor packages. Plant 4 will be
nearly twice the size of Plant 3, with two
bays totaling 33,000 sq. ft. (3100 m2), plus
additional office space. With the completion
of Plant 4, which is scheduled for later this
year, Plant 1 will be turned into warehouse
space.
Along with the local improvements,
EGS has worked to grow its capabilities in
other locations. “Market expansion is an
ongoing focus, combined with developing
regional capabilities for better customer
support,” Wachter said. “We started with
our first service center outside of our main
base in Romania, strategically positioned
in Nigeria, and are currently working on
opening up a couple of more service
centers in the Middle East (UAE) and Asia
(Indonesia).” CT2
https://eurogassystems.com
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 TECH CORNER
OPTIMIZING COMPRESSOR STATIONS

Optimizing compressor
A study of how to optimize
ABSTRACT

Many gas compressor stations use multiple gas turbine-driven centrifugal compressors. In
many instances, the units are not identical. The challenge is to control the units such, that
certain operational parameters, for example fuel consumption, are optimized. gas compressor stations
For practical use, the two methods available are to control all compressors for the same
turndown, or to control all gas turbines for the same load. This methodology can be derived with non identical units.
and discussed for the case of identical machines, and will be expanded for the case where the
compressors and their drivers are not identical. By Rainer Kurz, Avneet
The article describes a variety of optimization methods, starting with a simple algorithm,
then comparing equalization methods, and finally illustration the capability of methods that Singh, Roman Zamotorin,
combine turbomachinery optimization and the optimization of pipeline hydraulics.
Matt Lubomirsky

F
uel optimization for compression
applications has to consider both
the application characteristics, and
the characteristics of the drivers and
compressors involved. The present study
attempts to provide a generalized view that
involves consideration of the equipment in
a station, but also can include the behavior
of the entire compression system, using a
pipeline with multiple compressor station as
an example. Different compressor control
modes are considered and very simple, as
well as more complicated concepts are
introduced.
This paper assumes two shaft gas
turbines as drivers, and centrifugal
compressors as the driven equipment. It
considers in particular the impact
THE AUTHORS
of the change in gas turbine efficiency with
load and speed. The available gas turbine
power depends on ambient conditions and
the power turbine speed. The gas turbine
efficiency additionally ids a function of the
gas turbine load, with the best heat rate at
full load.
The driven compressor for the
applications in question is typically a
centrifugal compressor, that is either directly,
or via a fixed ratio gearbox, coupled with
the power turbine. Therefore, the most
effective and efficient way of controlling the
compressor operation is by varying its speed.
It should be noted that ’control by varying
the speed’ does not mean ‘controlling the
speed’. The control mode typically applies to
a process parameter, for example suction
pressure, discharge pressure, or flow. Any
a pipeline upstream and downstream of a
compressor station) imposes the suction
and discharge pressure on the compressor,
and the compressor reacts to it, based on
the power available, with a certain flow.
The flow, in turn may alter the suction and
discharge pressure the system imposes
on the compressor. Some systems have a
strong impact of the flow on the pressure
levels: Pipelines’ pressure losses are directly
related to the flow through said pipelines.
Other systems may show very little change
in suction and discharge pressure with flow.
Minimizing fuel consumption is not
the only optimization goal used. Other
characteristics that play a role include
maximizing availability, possibly also for short
term events, leading to partly loaded units
in anticipation of a rapid increase in load (in

DR. RAINER KURZ is the manager,
Systems Analysis and Field Testing
at Solar Turbines Inc. in San Diego.
AVNEET SINGH is the manager, Gas
Compressor Performance and
Applications at Solar Turbines
Incorporated in San Diego.
DR. ROMAN
ZAMOTORIN is a system
analysis engineer at Solar Turbines
Inc. in Houston.
MATT LUBORMIRSKY
is a Consulting Engineer, Systems
Analysis at Solar Turbines Inc. in
San Diego.
deviation from the controlled parameter will
lead to an adjustment of the engine power
output, which will result in a change in
compressor speed.
If multiple units operate in a station,
different ways of load sharing are possible.
Two frequently used methods involve to
either keep all engines at the same relative
load, or to keep all driven compressors at the
same distance from their surge line, thus at
the same turndown. Turndown is defined as
the distance of the compressor operating
point from the surge line for constant head.
The operating point of the driven
compressor is determined by the system
in which it works. The system (for example
the world of power generation, this would
be called a spinning reserve). Minimizing
the number of starts, or minimizing running
hours could be other requirements.
When a compressor station, or a number
of related compressor stations in a pipeline
are planned, certain considerations have to
be made. The first consideration involves
the capability to cope with changes in flow
capacity on all time scales (i.e., hourly, daily,
seasonally). Contractual requirements and
obligations, such as pressures and volumes
at transfer points, have to be considered.
The second consideration deals with the
fact that the nominal capacity of a pipeline
may grow when additional customers

38 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021


stations
demand a higher supply of natural gas. In
fact, many new pipelines start out with 50%
and less capacity and grow to full capacity
over several years, or are sized for easy
expansion. Other applications, for example
in upstream application, will also experience
changes in suction pressure and flow due
to declining fields. Total cost of ownership
reflects the cost to install, operate and
decommission the stations. While the first
two considerations reflect the capability
to generate revenue, the latter focuses
on the necessary costs. These costs (ci)
may appear at any point in time during
installation, operation and decommissioning
of the station. Revenue reduction resulting
from equipment downtime is an important
element of the total cost of ownership.
Studies at the start of the planning
process will typically assess the station
size. For pipelines, the starting point is the
distance the pipeline has to cover and the
amount of gas that needs to be transported.
Optimization studies then will assess the
impact of pipe diameter, operating pressure,
number of compressor stations. Tradeoffs
include the cost for the pipe, the cost for the
compression equipment, and the operation
cost for the different choices. Larger pipes
reduce the amount of compression power
FIGURE 1
Pipeline
optimization.
OPTIMIZING COMPRESSOR STATIONS
FIGURE 2 Case A.
FIGURE 2 Case B.
to be installed, but increase the cost for
the pipe. Having stations closer together
reduces the amount of power to be installed,
and reduces the fuel cost, but increses
maintenance requirements. Figure 1 shows
the result of such an evaluation, with the
recommendation for a 28 in pipe, and a
compressor station pressure ratio of about
1.3 to 1.4.
Changing operating conditions
While some compressor stations are
more or less operated at constant load,
many installations see widely fluctuating
TECH CORNER
FIGURE 2 Case A.
FIGURE 2 Case B.
operating conditions. These fluctuations
are, in concept, foreseeable in the planning
stage. Give the load dependency of the
driver efficiency, a station that runs under a
wide range of loads will often operate in part
load, thus incurring higher fuel consumption,
unless one has multiple units, with the option
to shut down units, rather than operating in
part load. We will first discuss the desirable
number of compressors in station in relation
to the range of load fluctuations. We then
will discuss the impact of changing ambient
temperature: Since the engine output
changes with the inlet temperature, even
at constant station flow demand (that is,
with the compressors consuming constant
power), the engine load (relative to their
maximum available power) can fluctuate
with changing ambient temperatures.
First, we compare the impact of variability
in operating conditions:
Case A (Figure 2), for a station with large
swings in load, exhibits a clear advantage
of multi-unit stations. Because the smaller
units are operated closer to full load for most
of the time, the resulting fuel usage is lower
than for single-unit stations. This holds true
for both slopes in part- load efficiency and
even if the smaller units achieve a lower base
efficiency than the larger units. For virtually
all cases, a station with three or four units
MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 39
TECH CORNER
OPTIMIZING COMPRESSOR STATIONS
minimizes the fuel usage. Additional units
yield no additional benefits.
Case B, typical for large pipelines with
few take-offs, gives a somewhat different
picture. Comparing Figure 3 shows that the
conclusion regarding the optimum number
of stations depends highly on the baseline
efficiency of the packages involved. If
the smaller units have the same design
efficiency as the larger units, then a three-
unit station is advantageous. If we assume
lower efficiencies for the smaller units than
for the larger units, a one or two unit station
uses less fuel.
Both Figures 6 and 7 distinguish between
gas turbines with steeper (series 2) and
less steep reductions (Series 1) in part load
efficiency Also, both pictures on the left
assume an efficiency advantage for larger
units. The minimum in fuel usage also implies
a minimum in CO2 production.
Having said that, it again needs to be
emphasized that a station outage may
cause significantly higher cost due to lost
revenue than the fuel cost for an entire
year. A standby unit reduces the exposure
significantly. Also, if the station uses multiple
units, then the unavailability of one of these
units has a smaller impact on the amount of
gas that can be produced (admittedly,
the chances that one out of four units
fails are higher than the chances that
one out of two units fail).
Besides fluctuations in the
required compressor power, as
described above, we also find
situations where the ambient
40 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021
temperatures show large swings, especially
between summer and winter conditions.
Depending on the number of units in a
station, the situation during low ambient
temperatures may allow to shut a unit down
entirely. Of course, if the station flow is to be
maintained, the compressors in operation
will see a larger flow (Figure 4). In the figure
above, the advantage of smaller units ( 3
units in a station) over larger units ( 2 units
in a station) is illustrated: The station with
3 units can accommodate the shut down
FIGURE 4
Two units versus
three units: Capability
to shut a unit down.
FIGURE 5
Fuel consumption.
of a unit, while for a station with two units,
the compressor that remains in operation
will not be able to handle the increased flow.
Shutdown of units, instead of running units
in part load has a positive impact on fuel
consumption (Figure 5) and maintenance
cost (a unit that is shutdown does not
accrue fired hours, a unit operating in part
load does).
In cases where the operating conditions
change significantly over time, which
is a situation frequently encountered in
installations near oil or gas fields, concepts
that take advantage of package flexibility
may be considered. The example below
shows a situation at a declining gas field,
where, over time, gas flow and suction
pressure dropped. The addition of another
compressor to the train to accommodate the
declining suction pressure, and the resulting
increase in pressure ratio had been planned,
so the skid was prepared to accept an
additional compressor body. Together with
targeted restages, that allowed to re-use
existing aerodynamic hardware, the wide
range of operating conditions was covered
(Figure 6).
Basic operations optimization
Simple, but very effective methods include
the concept to load all involved units
evenly, and to run the least amount of units
necessary. The downside of this approach
is, that if done consistently, the number
of starts and stops for the units may
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 TECH CORNER
OPTIMIZING COMPRESSOR STATIONS

FIGURE 6 Declining gas field.

increase. Loading units evenly can either be and the compressors are aerodynamic Further considerations have to be made
accomplished by running all compressors scales, thus maintaining aerodynamic to decide which options should be pursued
at the same distance from their respective similarity. The parallel operation forces all for steps 2 and 3. One consideration could be
surge line, or by running all gas turbines units to operate at the same suction and maintenance cost: It could well be that the
at the same load setting, for example by discharge pressure. Based on the above, the larger unit accrues lower maintenance cost
equalizing their gas producer speed relative total available station power P = 5 PTC. per fired hour than two of the smaller units.
to the speed at full. We can now define different load steps: Similarly, if the larger unit is more efficient
Additional considerations are required if Step 1: P = PTC than the small units, one would opt for
the units involved are different in size and Step 2: P = PKC or P = 2 PTC starting the larger unit in steps 2 and 3.
operating characteristics. Many compressor Step 3: P = PKC + PTC or P = 3 PTC Another option would be to analyze
stations combine units of different size Step 4: P = PKC + 2 PTC typical load cycle for the station: If the load
and vintage. The newer units may be less Step 5: P = PKC + 3 PTC typically rises beyond step 3 relatively fast,
expensive to operate, may have a higher fuel For all power demands that are higher it might be advantageous to start the large
efficiency, and may be bigger (in terms of than step n, but lower than step n+1, the unit in step 2. If, however, the load often
power output) compared to the older units. running units are equally loaded. just stays between steps 1, 2, and 3 (as is
One of the key tasks may be to re-stage the
compressors of the older units in order to
be able to contribute at a reasonable cost to
the station operation. For the purpose of this
study, we assume that this has happened.
More involved methods would include
simulations of entire systems (for example,
of a pipeline with multiple compressor
stations, and multiple compressor units per
station) using numerical simulations.
A simple, but very effective scheme is
outlined as follows: Let us assume we have a
compressor station with one large unit (KC),
and three smaller units (TC), all operating
in parallel. For simplicity, the smaller unit
produces half the power of the larger unit:
PKC = 2 PTC

7
FIGURE Various equipment combinations in
operation: Fuel flow versus compressed gas flow.

MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 43

TECH CORNER
OPTIMIZING COMPRESSOR STATIONS
8
FIGURE Load equalization. Equal load, with either the 15 MW (20,000 hp) or the 22.5 MW (30,000 hp) engine
leading versus equal turndown for the compressor.
the case for stations that have seasonally
lower loads), then these steps may be better
covered by the smaller units.
The simulations in this section sassume
compressor operating points at constant
head. The flow therefore changes with the
amount of power supplied to the compressor.
The change in in compressor efficiency
and operating speed are accounted for in
the simulation. Also, the gas turbine power
output and heat rate are adjusted for power
turbine speed and load. The available power
is based on realistic site conditions.
The station in question is analyzed based
on one or two units of 15 MW (20,000 hp)
and 22.5 MW (30,000 hp) compressor sets
(Figure 7). The 22.5 MW sets are assumed
to have a higher overall efficiency than the
15 MW sets. For very low flows, individual
gas turbines are used. With increasing flow,
the combinations used go from two times
15 MW units to one 15 MW and one 22.5
MW unit, and finally to two times 22.5 MW
units. There is overlap between the different
configurations. The addition of a unit at
increases the fuel flow initially, because now
two units operate in part load instead of one
unit at full load.
Similarly, for all higher flow cases it is
44 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021
advantageous to run the unit combinations
up to their full load capability before turning
on additional or bigger units.
Figure 8 shows the results of the
simulations for different control methods at
a compressor station with two compressor
sets of different size (Unit 1 with 1.5 times
the power of Unit 2). Compared are the
cases where the units are equally loaded
(with either the small or the big unit leading)
or where they are controlled for equal
turndown.
Equal load is usually accomplished
by controlling the gas producer speed of
the gas turbine. As can be seen, the fuel
consumption for a certain station flow
demand is about the same for either control
method. There is a significant advantage
for the equal turndown method at low and
high flows, where the equal load method
is limited either by surge line on one unit or
by maximum speed on another. Turndown
FIGURE 9
Pipeline schematic.
equalization has a wider allowable flow range
since it is more tied to compressor maps and
initially the compressor selection had been
done based on turndown evaluation, not
engine load. It is probable to find compressor
selections, which will provide the same
operating range, if we are at station design
and if there is a particular request to find
optimized solution based on sharing the load
equally. However, it might be easier just to
use turndown equalization.
Optimizations that involve multiple, but
connected compressor stations require
the modelling of the connecting pipes, in
other words pipeline hydraulics have to be
considered. This will lead to a number of
constraints for the individual compressor
station, that are not obvious on the station
level. A key feature is, that for a pipeline,
pipeline flow and station pressures are
not independent. In other words, if the
flow through the pipeline is increased, the
pressure ratio for the compressor station has
to increase, too.
Generally, variable speed centrifugal
compressors are uniquely suitable for this
type of operating characteristic, because all
steady state points can be placed near the
bets efficiency are of the compressor, while
the wide range allows for suitable deviations
imposed by non-steady state operation. Even
with massive load changes (for example by
bringing the driver form 50% to 100% load
within less than a minute, the compressor
will not operate at constant head and varying
flow for more than a few seconds.
Figure 9 shows the layout of such a
pipeline of a given length (Ltot), 5 compressor
stations (station 1 through 5) at roughly
equal distance, and a side stream entering
the main pipe just upstream of station 3.
The simulation takes into account the fuel
consumption of each of the stations, as well
as the line pack (i.e. the gas stored in the
pipeline system itself). The pipeline geometry
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TECH CORNER
OPTIMIZING COMPRESSOR STATIONS

(diameter, roughness), maximum allowable

operating pressure (MAOP), site elevations,
and local ambient temperatures are known.
The compressor stations use a variety
of different centrifugal compressors, all
of them driven by two shaft gas turbines.
Recycle of individual units, as well as shut
down of individual units is possible, and has
to be considered as part of the simulation.
Also, and entire station can be bypassed. A
summary of the installed units is in Table 1.
In the study, the actual operating
conditions for all units were used as a
starting point. In this situation, all but two
units in station 5 were running, and all of
them at relatively low load (Table 2). The
optimized scenario consumed 74% of the fuel
compared to the original situation. The two
major contributing factors are the smaller
number of units running at higher load, and
the generally lower gas velocity in the pipe
(Figure 10), which significantly reduced the FIGURE 10 Optimizing the fuel consumption. Shifting load between stations allows to lower the flow
pressure losses. This was accomplished velocities, and thus the pressure drop in the pipeline. Shown is the flow velocity in the pipeline at various
by running station two with more units at a stations. The optimization allows for lower flow velocity levels in parts of the pipeline, thus reducing
higher load. The higher load on Station 2 was power consumption in the compressor stations.
achieved by running at higher head despite
being in recycling. In the planning phase, key influence example fuel consumption, are optimized.
It can also be seen that, apart from the factors include the number of stations, The control system has to rely on
optimization of the pipeline hydraulics, the and the number of units, based on measurable parameters, even if parameters
recipe given in the previous section seems to assessments on the variability of the that are not directly measured (such as the
be approximately replicated by the numerical operating conditions. Variability will occur gas composition for the compressor) change
optimization. on various time scales. during operation. The methods to control
Understanding the behavior of During the operation, relatively simple all compressors for the same turndown
turbomachinery equipment and the overall rules can be derived based on the conceptual provides good results regarding both
system allows appropriate methods for fuel understanding, or from evaluation of more efficiency and operating range, compared
and operational optimization on the station complex studies. The concepts described to controlling all gas turbines for the same
level and for entire pipelines. Optimization work even if units are not identical, and can load. Modelling the entire pipeline allows
can and should happen both during the entirely be based on measurable parameters. further optimization that cannot be achieved
planning of system, as well as during the The challenge is to control the units such, if the optimization is performed at the station
operation of a system. that certain operational parameters, for level only. CT2

TABLE 1 INSTALLED POWER TABLE 2 STATION LOAD

POWER CLASS OF TOTAL INSTALLED NUMBER AVG. LOAD
STATION NUMBER OF UNITS UNITS (MW) POWER (MW) NUMBER AVG. LOAD OF UNITS OF RUNNING
OF UNITS OF RUNNING RUNNING UNITS
1 0 0 0 STATION RUNNING UNITS (OPTIMIZED) (OPTIMIZED)
2 2 14.5 29 1 0 N/A 0 N/A
3 2 15.3 30.6 2 2 56% 2 70%
4 2 15.3 30.6 3 2 57% 1 94%
5 5 3 ea 6 37 4 2 63% 1 83%
1 ea 7.8
1 ea 11.2 5 3 96.6% 1 97%

46 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021

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The ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code
Conceived in 1911 out of a need to protect the public,
this proven code governs the safe design and
construction of pressure vessels in compressor
systems. By Norm Shade
P
ressure vessels are containers
constructed to store pressurized
media and as such, have inherent
safety risks. The safe application of these
components has always been an important
challenge. A large loss of life from many
catastrophic accidents in the late nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries led states to
create rules and regulations governing the
construction of steam boilers and pressure
vessels.
Manufacturers and users of boilers and
pressure vessels realized that the lack of
uniformity in regulations between states
would make it difficult to import and export
pressurized products between states. It
was the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) that stepped in to unify
the design formulation and make standard
specifications for steam boilers and pressure
vessels.
Forum for discussion
ASME was founded in 1880 by Henry
Worthington, Alexander Holley, and
John Sweet, along with other prominent
industrialists and technical innovators. The
purpose was to better serve the needs of
engineers and designers and the managers
of machine shops by providing them with a
forum for discussion and collaboration. The
founders established engineering standards,
which would ensure safety, reliability and
operational efficiency in machine design and
mechanical production.
ASME issued its first standard, “Code
The Grover Shoe Factory in Brockton, Mass.,
before and after a March 20, 1905 boiler
explosion that completely leveled the factory
and resulted in 58 deaths and 117 injuries. The
incident led to the development of the ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
Prior to development
of the ASME BPVC,
pressure vessels
(which were built with
riveted joints) lacked
any industry design
and manufacturing
codes and standards.
Catastrophic failures
were all too common,
usually causing
property damage and
often, injuries and
deaths.
for the Conduct of Trials of Steam Boilers,”
in 1884. Shortly after that in 1887, ASME
issued, “Standard for the Diameter and
Overall Dimensions of Pipe and Its Threaded
Ends,” which addressed mass production
and standardization issues with the
manufacturing of pipe. Many others followed,
including the ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code (BPVC), which was conceived in
CORNERSTONES
OF COMPRESSION
1911 out of a need to protect
the safety of the public.
This need became apparent
shortly after the conception
of the steam engine in the
late 18th century.
As the industrial revolution
progressed, steam power
and, later, pressurized air
became widely used. Steam
boilers, coolers and air receivers were
commonly used at increasingly higher
pressures. Inspections were random,
operating guidelines nonexistent, and
pressures were regularly turned up. In the
19th century there were literally thousands
of boiler explosions in the U.S. and Europe,
some of which resulted in many deaths.
The consequences of these failures were
MAY 2021 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 49
CORNERSTONES
OF COMPRESSION
locally focused and usually received minimal
national or international attention. For years,
boiler explosions were simply regarded as
inevitable evil or “acts of God”. Undoubtedly,
one of the failures that led to the legislating
of rules and regulations was the boiler
explosion that occurred at the Grover Shoe
Factory in Brockton, Mass., on March 10, 1905.
That incident, which completely leveled the
factory, resulted in 58 deaths and 117 injuries.
Catastrophic failures of pressurized
air receivers also destroyed property and
claimed lives. One such tragedy struck in
March 1906, when Bury Compressor Co.
co-owner, Edward Bury, and his foreman
were killed when an air compressor receiver
exploded during testing in the company’s
Erie, Pa., plant.
States draft regional rules
In 1907, Massachusetts passed “An Act
Relating to the Operation and Inspection
of Steam Boilers.” This motivated another
state, Ohio, to draft their own laws, “The Ohio
Board of Boiler Rules” in 1908. Other states
and cities began to formulate their own rules
and regulations for boilers and pressure
vessels. As regulations differed from state to
state and often conflicted with one another,
manufacturers began to find it difficult to
construct vessels for use in one state that
would be accepted in another. Because of
this lack of uniformity, both manufacturers
and users appealed in 1911 to ASME to correct
the situation. ASME appointed a committee
to formulate standard specifications for the
construction of
steam boilers and
other pressure
Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code is commonly
used for the design and construction of pressure containing
components, such as pulsation bottles, scrubbers, separators,
coolers and other pressurized vessels used in compressor systems.
ASME founded by ASME Boiler and
Henry Worthington, Pressure Vessel Code
Alexander Holley, and (BPVC) conceived to
John Sweet. protect the public.
50 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | MAY 2021
vessels and for their care in service.
The first committee of seven experts
was assisted by an advisory committee of
18 engineers representing various phases
of design, construction, installation and
operation of boilers. The committee made
its preliminary report in 1913 and sent 2000
copies out for review by many disciplines.
After three years of countless meetings and
public hearings, a final draft of ASME Rules
of Construction of Stationary Boilers and for
Allowable Working Pressures was adopted
in 1915. It consisted of one book with 114
pages, which measured 5 by 8 in. (127 by
203 mm).
First code for pressure vessels
The National Board of Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Inspectors was formed in 1919, and
the first code rules for pressure vessels,
entitled Rules for the Construction of Unfired
Pressure Vessels, followed in 1925. The code
developed over time into the ASME BPVC,
which today has over 92,000 copies in use
in over 100 countries around the world. The
BPVC now consists of 16,000 pages in
28 volumes, with multiple subdivisions,
parts, subsections, and mandatory and
Adoption of ASME Rules of The National Board of
Construction of Stationary Boiler and Pressure
Boilers and for Allowable Vessel Inspectors
Working Pressures. formed.
Although early codes and standards focused
on steam boilers, unfired pressure vessels
still lacked appropriate codes as evidenced by
this 1919 incident in Boston, MA, where a huge
tank experienced a brittle rupture, flooding and
destroying an elevated train structure with 2.5
million gallons of molasses, killing 21 people and
injuring 150.
non-mandatory appendices. Section VIII of
the BPVC is the most commonly used code
for design and construction of pressure
vessels in the U.S.
Currently, 49 states and all the
provinces of Canada have adopted, by law,
various sections of the BPVC. Accepted
internationally as well, over 25% of the
companies accredited by the ASME Codes
and Standards to manufacture pressure
parts in accordance with various sections
of the BPVC are located outside of North
America. Over the past 95 years, the safety
record of pressure-containing components
manufactured in accordance with the rules
of the BPVC is outstanding. Since pulsation
bottles, suction scrubbers, separators,
coolers and other pressure vessels are
important parts of compression systems, the
BPVC has been essential to the design and
manufacture of safe systems.
To date, ASME has produced
approximately 600 codes and standards
covering many technical areas, such as
fasteners, piping and fittings, elevators,
pipelines, compressors and drivers, and
power plant systems and components. Many
of these apply to the compression industry.
The BPVC is the largest ASME standard,
both in physical size (number of volumes
and pages) and in the number of volunteers
who participate in its preparation and
maintenance. CT2
First code ‘Rules for Currently, 49 states and all
the Construction Canadian provinces have
of Unfired Pressure adopted, by law, various
Vessels’ published. sections of the BPVC.
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