CORNERSTONES FILTRATION COMPONENTS

CUMMINS ENGINE COMPANY PARKER NETS CONTRACT CECO SEES OPPORTUNITIES

A KHL Group publication

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022
www.compressortech2.com

Compressors in
energy transition
EURO GAS NEWS
EU TO TRIM GAS
CONSUMPTION

COMPANY NEWS
CATERPILLAR’S LARSON STATION
 FROM THE EDITOR
KEEFE BORDEN

COMMENT
EDITORIAL
Vice President Editorial
Michael J. Brezonick
mike.brezonick@khl.com
T: +1 262-754-4112
Short-term
C: +1 262-366-9452
Editor
Keefe Borden
keefe.borden@khl.com
Jack Burke
uncertainty
T
jack.burke@khl.com he winds are blowing in different directions for the gas
PRODUCTION compression industry, and as a whole, it’s really hard to determine
Creative & Events Director which way the industry will head.
Saara Rootes
saara.rootes@khl.com On the bullish side, both oil and gas prices are strong, which
Print Production Manager - KHL Americas encourages more production. Within the U.S., production from shale
Brenda Burbach
brenda.burbach@khl.com formations has grown and is expected to climb further in the near future.
Production Manager - KHL Global The midstream industry has responded by boosting takeaway capacity
Charlotte Kemp
charlotte.kemp@khl.com from the Permian and the Bakken. U.S. LNG processors have pushed
Group Design Manager Jeff Gilbert U.S. gas exports to record highs and those exports are expected to
Group Designer Jade Hudson
Events Design Manager Gary Brinklow climb again.
Creative Designer Kate Brown
Overall, the U.S. gas industry seems to be in a comfortable spot.
CIRCULATION Supplies are expected to increase, with the added takeaway capacity
Subscriptions subscriptions@khl.com
Head of Data and Audience Development from the midstream delivering that extra supply to processing or
James Taylor liquefaction centers. The U.S. liquefaction capacity is expanding and,
Audience Development Deputy Manager
Anna Philo meanwhile, demand in Europe and Asia is solid and growing.
anna.philo@khl.com Complicating this is the war in the Ukraine, which is disrupting normal
SALES gas supply flows for the time being – and potentially for the longer term.
Vice President, Global Sales The war has left Europe looking to replace gas supplies that previously
Alister Williams
T: +1 843 637 4127 came from Russia.
C: +1 312-860-6775
alister.williams@khl.com So far, the majority of the alternative supplies have come from the
Regional Sales Managers U.S., which has limited unused export capacity.
Daniel Brindley
+1 414 406 7025 There are a lot of unknowns: how long will this war last? How long
daniel.brindley@khl.com will the sanctions stay in place? How quickly can Europe find alternative
Gabriele Dinsel
+49 711 3416 74 71 supplies? How much can it restrict local demand prior to the coming
gabriele.dinsel@khl.com winter? How long can European consumers tolerate higher gas prices?
Petra Kaiser
+49 151 218 52 127 In the background of all of this is the world’s desire to decarbonize.
petra.kaiser@khl.com Theoretically, this could mean the end to natural gas, but there is too
Thomas Kavooras
T: +1 312 929 3478 much supply available right now for the world to walk away from.
C: +1 847 609 4393
thomas.kavooras@khl.com Any end to methane production and transportation is far off into
Josh Kunz the future.
+1 414 379 2672
josh.kunz@khl.com More immediately, producers and transporters of energy still
Roberta Prandi need equipment to move and store gas. Right now, the best
+39 0464 014421
roberta.prandi@khl.com people to provide that equipment are the OEMs that already
Niki Trucksa provide gas compression equipment. There will be a transition,
Tel: +1 262 844 5131
Niki.Trucksa@khl.com for sure. But that transition is best managed by people who
Chief Executive Officer
already make the equipment that moves natural gas.
James King In short, the long-term future for gas compression is good,
Chief Financial Officer
Paul Baker even if the short-term series of events leaves us guessing.
Chief Operating Officer
Trevor Pease

© Copyright KHL Group, 2022

KHL GROUP AMERICAS LLC Keefe Borden
14269 N 87th St. Ste. 205 Editor
Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
americas@khl.com keefe.borden@khl.com
COOK CLEAN™SEALING SYSTEMS

FOR YOUR MOST AMBITIOUS

DECARBONIZATION GOALS

As the w o rld e m b ra c e s the e ne rg y tra nsfo rm a tio n,

c o mp a nie s strug g le with the d e ma nd s o f lo we ring e missio ns
to me e t re g ula tio ns o r c o rp o ra te ESG g o a ls. C O O K C LEAN
p ro d uc ts c a n he lp yo u fo rg e yo ur p a th to ne t ze ro .

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a se a ling syste m p ro ve n to lo w e r fug itive e m issio ns in
re c ip ro c a ting c o m p re sso rs to ne a r-ze ro le ve ls.*
North America +1 877 266 5226
If yo u w a nt a p ro ve n syste m to re d uc e e m issio ns, Europe +44 151 355 5937
m a ke C O O K C LEAN p a rt o f yo ur d e c a rb o niza tio n stra te g y. China +86 21 24112600

*Le a rn m o re a t www.c o o kc o m p re ssio n.c o m / c o o kc le a n c ookc ompre ssion.c om

Cook Compression is a proud part of Dover Precision Components

 INSIDE
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022

CONTENTS
43
29

35 29
COMPRESSORTECH2 (ISSN 1085-2468) Volume 27,
No. 7 – Published 10 issues/year (January-February,
March, April, May, June, July, August-September,
October, November, December) by KHL Group
RECIPROCATING
COMPRESSORS
35 Baker Hughes sees
57
Americas LLC, 3726 East Ember Glow Way, Phoenix, expanded use for
AZ 85050, USA. Subscription rates are $85.00 per
year/$10.00 per copy worldwide. Periodicals postage reciprocating compressors
paid at Waukesha, WI 53186 and at additional mailing 39 Recips are ‘colour blind’
offices. Copyright © 2022 KHL Group Americas LLC.
All Rights Reserved. Materials protected by U.S. and
for hydrogen
international copyright laws and treaties. Unauthorized DEPARTMENTS
duplication and publication is expressly prohibited.
Printed in the USA.
FILTRATION 3 Editor’s comment:
43 Parker Hannifin nets Short-term uncertainty
Canadian Publication Mail Agreement # 40035419. contract for filtration 6 Industry News: Global LNG
Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:
systems trade jumps 4.5% in 2021
P.O. Box 456, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6V2, Canada.
Email: subscriptions@khl.com. 8 Gas Lines: North America
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
Circulation Manager, COMPRESSORTECH2,
TURBOMACHINERY to lead global pipeline
14269 N 87th St. Ste. 205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 USA. 44 Turboexpanders are network by 2025
key components to the 11 Company News: Caterpillar’s
www.compressortech2.com
energy transition Larson Station; CECO offers
Follow @COMPRESSORTECH2 on: variety of components
CORNERSTONES
CUMMINS ENGINE COMPANY
FILTRATION
PARKER NETS CONTRACT
COMPONENTS
CECO SEES OPPORTUNITIES
OUTSIDE
A KHL Group publication

18 Monitoring Government: AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022

www.compressortech2.com

PHMSA softens deadline

for gathering lines
23 Shale Play-By-Play:
Court allows Gulfport to Compressors in
energy transition
cancel contracts EURO GAS NEWS
EU TO TRIM GAS
CONSUMPTION

COMPANY NEWS

29 Euro Gas Report: EU plans CATERPILLAR’S LARSON STATION

MEMBER OF: to trim gas consumption

47 Tech Corner: Inlet Piping
55 Events and Meetings
44
Turboexpanders
Due to an editing error, COMPRESSORTECH2
published an incorrect photo of a 57 Cornerstones of are key
compressor package on the cover of
its June 2022 issue. COMPRESSORTECH2 Compression: Cummins components to
regrets the error. Engine Company energy transition

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 5

INDUSTRY
NEWS
Global LNG
trade jumps
4.5% in 2021
T
he global LNG market expanded to
49.9 Bcf/d in 2021, up 2.2 Bcf/d or
4.5%, from the prior year, according
to a recent study from a global LNG trade
organization.
The International Group of Liquefied
Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL) issued an
annual report which showed the growth in
exports and imports worldwide.
New LNG export capacity, primarily from
the U.S. and the rising global demand for
natural gas were the two main causes for
the growth in global LNG trade last year, the
organization said.
Global LNG export capacity has increased
worldwide by 29%, or 14.0 Bcf/d, from 2017
through 2021. The growth was led primarily
by capacity additions of 9.6 Bcf/d in the
United States, 2.2 Bcf/d in Australia, and
1.7 Bcf/d in Russia.
Increase in exports
Last year, the United States saw the largest
increase in LNG exports, a 2.9 Bcf/d increase
compared with the previous year. Australia’s
capacity increased that year by 0.1 Bcf/d,
Russia oil and gas construction slides as sanctions hit
The oil and gas construction project pipeline
in Russia and Eastern Europe has declined by
€71.7 billion, as a result of sanctions placed
on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, says the
new ‘Project Insight - Oil and Gas Q2 2022’
report from GlobalData.
According to the report, which monitors
projects from their announcement through
to the execution stage, the sector’s
construction pipeline has significantly
“weakened” over the past three months -
falling from a total value of €227.2 billion in
the first quarter of this year.
6 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022
GLOBAL ANNUAL LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS TRADE (2011-2021) BILLION CUBIC FEET PER DAY
remaining the world’s largest LNG exporter
for the second consecutive year.
LNG exports from Egypt increased by
0.7 Bcf/d, while exports from Algeria jumped
by 0.2 Bcf/d, the second- and third-largest
year-on-year volumetric increases among
all LNG-exporting countries, the GIIGNL
reported.
Among LNG-importing regions in 2021,
Asia and Latin America increased annual
imports: Asia’s imports rose by 2.4 Bcf/d
while Latin America saw an increase of
0.6 Bcf/d.
In four of the past five years, China
increased its imports of LNG more than any
other country. In 2021, China’s LNG imports
grew by 1.4 Bcf/d, accounting for 57% of the
Since Russia began the war in Ukraine,
Western countries have imposed financial,
trade, aircraft, shipping and immigration
sanctions on the country, with the aim of
“encouraging Russia to cease actions which
destabilise Ukraine”.
With access to intermediate goods and
international funds restricted, numerous
oil and gas projects in Russia and Eastern
Europe have been stopped, claims the report.
Among the current list of halted oil
and gas projects is Novatek’s €20.1 billion
liquefied natural gas plant, Yamal Arctic 2.
Source: EIA
increase in Asia’s LNG imports. Japan’s LNG
imports, essentially flat from 2020 to 2021,
declined by 11% (1.2 Bcf/d) between 2017
and 2021 as a result of nuclear units coming
back online. India reduced LNG imports by
0.3 Bcf/d in 2021.
Europe saw its LNG imports fall by 8%
(0.9 Bcf/d) in 2021 because larger volumes
of flexible LNG supplies, primarily from
the United States, were shipped to Asia
and Brazil. Lower LNG imports in Europe
contributed to record-low natural gas
storage inventories during 2021, even as
benchmark prices reached record highs.
The United Kingdom and Italy reduced LNG
imports more than other European countries
between 2020 and 2021. CT2
While the project is currently 60% complete,
its completion - like that of many others - is
now uncertain.
Jack Riddleston, construction analyst
at GlobalData, said, “These sanctions have
weighed heavily on oil and gas project
growth in Eastern Europe and caused
extensive disruption to activity as countries
plan to phase out Russian oil and gas
entirely.
“Projects funded by foreign entities have
also had funding pulled and restricted supply
chains have forced construction to a halt.”
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GAS LINES
NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION

North America to lead global

pipeline network by 2025
T
he North American natural gas
transmission pipeline network is
expected to reach 967,623 kilometers
by 2025 and will hold a share of about 44% of
the world’s trunk pipeline network, a recent
survey has shown.
The study, conducted by GlobalData,
shows that there were 4,785 active and
suspended pipelines globally with a total
length of more than 2,069,000 km, by the
end of 2021. The U.S. led the world’s pipeline
industry with the longest crude oil, petroleum
product, natural gas, and NGL pipelines
network.
The global oil and gas pipelines industry
outlook report offers information on the
capacity and capital expenditure outlook
with details of all operating and planned
pipelines till 2025, according to the study.
“North America is expected to witness
the start of operations of 105 planned and
announced pipelines by 2025, adding an
approximate total length of 18,879 km,”
said Teja Pappoppula, oil and gas analyst at
GlobalData.
In December 2021, natural gas had the
longest transmission pipeline length followed
by crude oil, petroleum products, and NGL. All
active, suspended, planned, and announced
pipelines length with start years up to 2025
were considered for the study. North America
would have the most pipeline length with
967,623 km, followed by the Former Soviet
Union (FSU) and Asia with 418,824 km, and
243,772 km, respectively, the study showed.
Longest natural gas pipeline
Among upcoming pipelines, San Fernando–
Cactus is the longest upcoming pipeline with
a length of 1,609 km. The natural gas pipeline
is expected to start operations in Mexico by
2023. The pipeline would bring much needed
gas to energy-deficient states of Chiapas
and Oaxaca in Mexico. The total length of
the top 10 planned and announced trunk/
transmission pipelines in the world is over
20,000 km, the study noted.
Kandla-Gorakhpur is the longest
upcoming product pipeline in the world. In
2021, China had the highest planned new-
build capital expenditure, while the US had
the highest announced new-build capital.
“The former Soviet Union occupies second
place with a share of 19.1% in the global
transmission pipeline length by 2025. The
total length of the transmission pipeline
network in the FSU is 418,824 km and is also
expected to witness planned and announced
pipeline length additions of 13,807 km by
2025. CT2

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
May-20 May-21 May-22 January December
North America International 2022 Five-Year High Five-Year Low

HENRY HUB NATURAL GAS SPOT PRICE (US$/MMBtu) BRENT CRUDE OIL PRICE (US$/Barrel)
Source: EIA Source: EIA
$9.00 $130.00
$8.00 $120.00
$110.00
$7.00
$100.00
$6.00 $90.00
$5.00 $80.00
$4.00 $70.00
$60.00
$3.00
$50.00
$2.00 $40.00
$1.00 $30.00
July-20 July-21 July -22 July-20 July-21 July-22

8 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022

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A
highly trained workforce is an
essential element of any successful
energy company. To enable that,
Caterpillar has seven training facilities across
the world whose purpose is to keep the skills
of the current workforce up to speed.
But the Caterpillar Miami Lakes Learning
Center (MLLC) in Miami Lakes, Florida is
unique. It houses the Larson Station, the first
application-specific training lab that features
a Cat G3606 A4 engine driving a single-stage
Ariel Compressor. “It is a full field experience
in a learning park,” said Jacques Ceballos,
Caterpillar aftermarket services consultant
in Miami.
Larson first opened June 20, 2017.
It was named after Eddie Larson, a
longtime Caterpillar employee who was
deeply involved in the establishment of a
commissioning program for the company’s
G3600 series engines.
The single application training lab
eliminates distractions, creates a controlled
learning environment, and provides a real-
world learning experience to its participants,
who include Cat customers, dealers, and
business partners. Anyone interested in
a class should reach out to their local Cat
PHOTO: CATERPILLAR
Caterpillar’s Miami Lakes Learning Center
(MLLC) in Miami Lakes, Florida houses the
Larson Station, the first application-specific
training lab that features a Cat G3606 A4
engine driving a single-stage Ariel Compressor.
Caterpillar’s Larson
Station dedicated to
the Cat G3600 series
Station recently celebrated five-year anniversary
dealer to enroll in one of the sessions.
Learners at Larson Station develop skills
sets in asset monitoring, engine performance
analysis, systems troubleshooting,
installation verification, and commissioning.
They are exposed to various scenarios for
evaluating proper component operation and
system response under different conditions.
Small gas engines
In addition to Larson Station, MLLC has a full
range of Cat products utilized to provide
training for the company’s small gas engines
(CG137-G3500), electric motors for gas
compression, pressure pumping engines
and transmission, and other diesel and gas
engines used in energy and transportation
industries.
MLLC offers a wide range of
technical training including engine
systems operations, failure analysis,
component reuse, engine
overhauls, electronics
COMPANY
NEWS
troubleshooting, and engine systems
troubleshooting. The center has five different
classrooms that can accommodate 8 to 12
students per class for a maximum capacity
of 60 technical students in a given week.
On an annual basis, more than 460 people
attend any of the learning sessions at the
center.
The Miami Lakes Learning Center is one of
seven Caterpillar learning centers worldwide.
Other learning centers are located in Wuxi,
China; Dubai, UAE; Kiel, Germany; Malaga,
Spain; Melbourne, Australia; and Peoria,
United States.
The center was forced to temporarily
close in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions
but learning continued. Caterpillar
accelerated investments in digital learning
platforms and currently, more than 10,000
learners worldwide have participated in one
of the virtual classes. CT2
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 11
LH 2
LH 2
 COMPANY
NEWS
Designed to be API compliant while
allowing for customer-specific
customization.
Features a flexible and redundant
capable, R2000 control panel,
with a maintenance advisor for
predictive maintenance.
Energy advisor feature for
optimizing your system’s energy
usage.
Comprehensive testing to ensure
units meet both our high standards
and yours.
FS-Elliott.com/engineered-air-compressors
Gas compression
remains CECO’s
core business
CECO sees opportunities
as the compression market
continues to evolve
T
he ability to develop new products and
services that meet customer needs
has served Compressor Engineering
Corporation (CECO) well for more than
half a century. Ernest G. Hotze started the
company in June 1964 when he saw a need
for readily available high quality reciprocating
compressor parts for slow-speed integral
engine-compressors, the workhorse of the
then nascent US interstate pipeline industry.
Humble start from family garage
From humble beginnings in the family’s
garage, with the assistance of six of his sons
as helpers, CECO gained market recognition
as a quality provider of channel valves. So
much so that CECO was forced to move out
of the garage at the family’s home when the
company’s inventory exceeded the space of
The company’s
traditional
products include
eMAX poppet
valves, shown
here, and it does
have a broader
portfolio of
products and
services for the
PHOTO: CECO
gas compression
industry.
his wife’s closet as told by Richard Hotze, the
sixth son of Ernest Hotze and current CEO.
In 1978, the company moved into its
current headquarters in southwest Houston
and has steadily grown since then. In 1984, it
added a 30,000 ft2 manufacturing facility at
the Houston site to accommodate additional
demand. Repair facilities in Odessa, Texas
were expanded and Walker, Louisiana were
added in 2007. Fast forward 58 years and
the company is still controlled by the
founder’s family and its management does
not foresee getting external investors in the
near future.
Richard Hotze enjoys what he does and
has no plans to retire soon. “We see a lot of
opportunity to continue my father’s passion
for quality replacement component parts
and engineered solutions for reciprocating
compressors,” he said.
CECO continues to be an independent
manufacturer of replacement components
and engineered solutions for reciprocating
gas compressors. “Where recips are used,
we can play,” Hotze said. The company >
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has grown over the years and morphed
several times as the oil and gas industry
expanded and contracted. CECO also serves
the industrial air market and petrochemical
industry and provides mission critical
components to the U.S. Navy.
More than a valve company
Omar Jimenez, vice president of sales and
marketing, said the company is known for
its poppet-style compressor valves, but it
does have a broader portfolio of products
and services for the gas compression
industry. “CECO poppet valves can be
found in the majority of legacy slow-speed
integral engine-compressors, but we
are much more than a valve company.
In addition to compressor valves, we
design and manufacture capacity control
solutions, provide replacement polymer
wear components, and supply legacy
2-stroke engine parts among other things.”
The company’s traditional products include
eMAX poppet valves, durMAX actuators, and
TruBalance fuel gas modulators all of which
can be found on many of the legacy 2-stroke
integrals in gas transmission service today.
The older integrals were the foundation
upon which the company was built and
remain an integral part of its business
today. CECO’s polymer products too have
been a staple in the industry and as users
expand the use of high-speed separables
LOWER OPERATING COSTS AND EMISSIONS
UPGRADE TO VHP SERIES FIVE
“We’re very optimistic
about the reciprocating
gas compression
industry, which is
what we service.”
RICHARD HOTZE, CEO
the company is well positioned to grow its
presence.
“Our polymer products in particular are
well suited to support customers as they
pursue lower emissions initiatives and focus
on reducing OPEX to drive profitability”,
Jimenez states. “For example, our LEP
Low Emissions Packing, X540 Low Lube
Polymer, and ePV Packing Vent Monitor
are ideal for owners and operators looking
to reduce fugitive emissions, reduce
lube oil consumption, and quantify their
packing case leak rates as part of their ESG
initiatives”, he said. As end users have shown
growing interest in lowering emissions, the
interest in these products has surged, the
company said. “We didn’t think it would ever
take off, but it finally did,” Hotze said. “We’re
seeing a turn in the industry and the sales
are responding.”
COMPANY
NEWS
Repair and field services
While known for its compressor valves and
continuing to make a name for itself with
its polymer wear parts CECO also provides
services to its customers. Repair services,
field service, and pipeline integrity headline
the service offerings.
The company previously had repair
facilities in New Orleans and Baton Rouge,
but Hurricane Katrina left products and
services stranded for months. Management
decided to build a new facility outside
of Baton Rouge in Walker, LA, where it
houses both its repair and pipeline service
businesses. CECO also has a major repair
facility in Odessa, Texas, in the heart of the
Permian Basin and the epicenter of a large
amount of gas compression equipment. Both
facilities are equipped to perform repairs on
integral and separable compressors from
the crosshead out. The scope of equipment
repaired includes smaller items such as
valves, packing, wiper cases plus piston &
rod assemblies and more extensive repair
of larger items. Additionally, CECO can repair
engine equipment with the expertise to
handle power cylinders, heads, connecting
rods as well as smaller ancillary equipment.
Josh Bobincheck, vice president of
operations, said the company’s Houston
manufacturing facilities primarily supports
two product lines: the polymer business and
engineered equipment. CT2
 MONITORING
GOVERNMENT
New rules postponed
O
n July 8, the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) announced it was
giving owners and operators of smaller-
diameter natural gas gathering pipelines
another year to comply with its new safety
requirements. This happened after the GPA
Midstream Association and the American
Petroleum Institute (API) took the PHMSA
to court, saying the administration failed to
heed their calls for changes in the rules.
On November 15, 2021, the PHMSA filed a
final rule expanding federal pipeline safety
oversight to all onshore gas gathering
pipelines, those lines that typically
transport natural gas from production
facilities to interstate gas transmission
pipelines. The final rule would, for the first
time, require pipeline operators to report
safety information for all gas gathering
lines, representing more than 425,000
additional miles covered by federal reporting
requirements.
Risks seen climbing in rural areas
The PHMSA said the growth of hydraulic
fracturing in the production process was one
of the reasons behind the new rules.
“Historically, gathering lines have been
lower-pressure, lower-risk, smaller-diameter
lines, typically situated in lesser-populated,
rural areas,” the PHMSA said in a press
release. But with the increase in hydraulic
fracturing over the last 15 years, “the volume
of gas extracted and transported through
gathering lines has increased significantly.
Gathering lines with diameters,
BRIAN FORD is editor in chief
THE AUTHOR
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.
18 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022
PHMSA eases safety regulation deadline for smaller
diamenter natural gas gathering lines. By Brian Ford
operating pressures and associated
risk factors similar to larger interstate
transmission lines have become more
common.”
“A number of incidents have occurred
on these high pressure, unregulated lines
– tragically leading to fatalities, injuries, and
large amounts of greenhouse gas (methane)
emissions,” the PHMSA continued.
Among other things, the new rule
establishes a new category of regulated
onshore gathering lines, Type C, covering
higher-pressure lines that pose a
heightened risk in rural areas, and applies
existing pipeline safety requirements for
roughly 90,000 miles of Type C pipelines.
The rule also requires all onshore gas
gathering pipeline operators to begin filing
incident reports and comprehensive annual
reports.
In December 2021, the GPA and API
petitioned the PHMSA to reconsider some of
the new requirements. Among other things,
the trade groups said the administration
failed to adequately assess the costs/
benefits of the new rule for midstream
operators.
“Pipelines 12.75 inches or less in outside
diameter do not present a significant risk
to public safety, and the Agency ignored
substantial cost information in concluding
that the benefits of applying certain
requirements to these pipelines justified the
costs,” the petitioners said.
Trade groups call for extensions
The groups also said the May 16, 2023,
compliance deadline for existing Type C
gathering pipes was unreasonable, and
called for a May 16, 2025, compliance
deadline for pipelines greater than 12.75
inches in outside diameter, and a May 16,
2028 compliance deadline for pipelines
12.75 inches or less in outside diameter.
However, the PHSMA denied the petition
on April 1.
In May, the GPA asked the D.C. Appeals
Court to review the PHSMA rule, and was
joined by the API.
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
then got in the act, seeking to intervene
in the lawsuit to defend the PHSMA’s gas
gathering standards.
“PHMSA’s rule establishes long overdue,
common sense standards that will improve
safety and reduce methane and other
harmful pollution from gas gathering lines
across the country,” said EDF senior attorney
Erin Murphy in a press statement.
Extra time granted for some lines
The court clerk gave the PHSMA the option
of submitting a motion by June 21 to dismiss
the case or for a summary judgement,
according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.
The PHSMA opted to settle.
On July 8, the PHMSA issued a “notice
of limited enforcement discretion” for Type
C pipelines with outer diameters greater
than or equal to 8.625 inches but less than
or equal to 12.75 inches. Pipelines in that
diameter range were given another year
(until May 17, 2024), to reach compliance.
The administration said it understood
that some operators of Type C gathering
pipelines with small outer diameters
“may face challenges” complying with
the safety requirements by May 16, 2023.
“Similarly, PHMSA understands that the
greatest safety benefits anticipated
from the Final Rule could be achieved
where regulatory resources focus on first
ensuring compliance with the Final Rule’s
requirements governing higher-risk, larger
diameter (outer diameter greater than 12.75")
Type C gathering pipelines.” CT2
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 Montana
Thrust Belt
Niobrara*
BAKKEN***
SHALE
Cody
Heath**
Williston NEWS
Basin
Powder
Big Horn River Gammon
Basin Basin
Michigan Appalachian
Mowry Basin Antrim Basin
Greater Hilliard- Devonian Current Plays
Green River Baxter- Niobrara* (Ohio) MARCELLUS
Basin Mancos Prospective Plays
Park Forest City
Uinta Basin Basin Illinois Utica
Basin Basins
Manning Canyon Basin
Mancos Piceance Denver * Mixed shale & chalk
San Joaquin Basin Basin New
Basin Hermosa Albany ** Mixed shale & Limestone
Cherokee Platform *** Mixed shale & tight
Paradox Basin
Pierre Excello- dolostone-siltstone-sandstone
Monterey-Temblor Mulky Chattanooga
Lewis Raton
San Juan Basin Basin Anadarko FAYETTEVILLE STACKED PLAYS
Monterey, Santa Basin Arkoma Black Warrior Conasuaga
Maria, Ventura, Palo Duro Bend WOODFORD Basin Basin Shallowest/youngest
Los Angeles Basins Basin Floyd-Neal Valley & Ridge
Ardmore Basin Province Intermediate depth/age
BAKKEN/ Avalon-Bone Spring Permian
Basin
BARNETT HAYNESVILLE- Chattanooga
BOSSIER TX-LA-MS Deepest/oldest
WILLISTON Barnett-Woodford
Ft. Worth
Basin Salt Basin
Hess adds fourth rig Marfa
Basin
Tuscaloosa

Hess Corporation added EAGLE

FORD
a fourth drilling rig in the Pearsall

Bakken in July. CEO John Hess Western

said, “with demand growing,
supply lagging, and the
potential for further sanctions
on Russian oil exports, we
expect tight global oil markets
to get even tighter over the
balance of the year.” Hess
produced 140,000 boe/d in
2Q22, down from 159,000
boe/d in the same quarter last
year. Management blamed
the lower quarterly production
on unplanned shut-ins due
to severe weather during
April and May. The company
is targeting production of
200,000 boe/d by 2024.
Crestwood’s Williston
gathering up 70%
During 2Q22, Crestwood
Equity Partners averaged
natural gas gathering
volumes of 241 MMcf/d
and natural gas processing
volumes of 268 MMcf/d in the
Williston Basin. Natural gas
gathering and processing
volumes increased 70% and
95%, respectively, year-over-
year, after integrating Oasis
Midstream’s assets. Four
rigs operated on acreage
dedicated to Crestwood
during 2Q, and a total of 16
wells were connected.
Gulf
MARCELLUS/UTICA
Four Marcellus/Utica
drillers earn over $1 billion
The oil and gas industry has
historically been subject to wide
swings in profits and losses.
Some years are up, others are
down. Over the past year, the
pendulum has swung to the “up”
side. Four Appalachian drillers
cleared more than $1 billion in
earnings during the first quarter
of 2022. It is an amazing story,
given these same companies
struggled to turn a profit just a
year ago. Three of the four have
assets in other plays outside
Appalachia, but the top earner
in 1Q22, which also happens
to be the biggest natural gas
producer in the country, is pure-
play Marcellus/Utica driller EQT
Corporation. The other three top
earners clearing more than $1
billion in 1Q with major assets in
Appalachia were Southwestern
Energy, Coterra Energy, and
Chesapeake Energy.
EQT elects one-time
payment for MVP
In 2018 EQT spun off its pipeline
division into a new, standalone
company. Activist investors
pressured EQT to split the
company in two to “unlock
value” in each company–the
upstream/drilling company now
called EQT Corporation and the
midstream/pipeline company
now called Equitrans Midstream.
As part of the split, EQT and
Equitrans hammered out a deal
to compensate EQT for the value
of the Mountain Valley Pipeline
(MVP) project, which became
an Equitrans asset following
the split. EQT could either (a)
take $250 million in discounts
over two years from MVP for
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 23
James Willis
highlights the
latest news from
the major North
American shale
plays
transporting its natural gas once
the pipeline goes into service
or (b) take a one-time cash
payment of $196 million. EQT
recently selected the one-time
payment option.
DC Circuit rules NEXUS
approval by FERC justified
Last year the City of Oberlin, OH,
contested FERC’s decision to
approve Enbridge/DTE Energy’s
NEXUS pipeline, a $2 billion, 255-
mile pipeline from the Ohio Utica
Shale into Michigan. NEXUS has
been flowing for several years.
The pipeline connects to other
pipelines (DTE Gas and Vector
Pipeline), exporting some of the
gas into Canada. Oberlin claimed
FERC’s approval of NEXUS was
faulty because gas exports are
not “in the public interest.” In
July, three judges from the U.S.
District Court of Appeals for the >
SHALE
NEWS
District of Columbia unanimously
ruled against Oberlin, siding with
FERC’s decision to approve the
project, saying it was justified
even with gas exports.
Court allows Gulfport to
cancel pipe contracts
Gulfport Energy has successfully
canceled binding long-term
contracts with multiple pipeline
companies, including deals
that move Marcellus/Utica gas
through the Rover and Rockies
Express pipelines. In 2020 FERC
told Gulfport it could not use
bankruptcy proceedings as an
excuse for canceling long-term
contracts. The federal standard
to break a pipeline contract is
that it must be in the public’s
best interest, not just the best
interest of management and
shareholders. According to
FERC, that standard was not met
by Gulfport. Last year Gulfport
filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit,
asking the court to overturn
FERC’s authority on pipeline
PERMIAN
(DELAWARE)
Targa buys Lucid for
$3.5 billion
Targa Resources Corp. is
purchasing Lucid Energy
Group, a privately held natural
gas processor in the Permian
Basin, from Riverstone Holdings
LLC and Goldman Sachs
Asset Management for $3.55
billion in cash. Lucid provides
natural gas gathering, treating,
and processing services in
the Delaware Basin. Assets
include 1,050 miles of natural
gas pipelines and 1.4 Bcf/d
of cryogenic natural gas
processing capacity in service
24 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022
HAYNESVILLE
Williams green lights Louisiana Energy Gateway
Williams has reached a final investment decision on its clean energy project, the Louisiana Energy
Gateway (LEG), which will gather 1.8 Bcf/d of natural gas produced in the Haynesville basin for delivery
to the Transco pipeline, industrial markets, and LNG export facilities along the Gulf Coast. Two early
customers include Rockliff Energy and GeoSouthern. Williams plans to develop carbon capture and
storage infrastructure as part of the LEG project, which is expected to go into service in late 2024. Earlier
this year, Williams signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Quantum Energy Partners to form a joint
venture allowing Quantum to become an equity investor and partner in the project.
Tellurian buys EnSight assets for $125 million
Tellurian Inc. will purchase natural gas assets from privately held EnSight IV Energy Partners, LLC and
EnSight Haynesville Partners, LLC, located in the Haynesville Shale for $125 million in cash. The assets
include approximately 5,000 net acres in DeSoto, Bossier, Caddo, and Webster Parishes, Louisiana, with
44 producing wells and five wells in progress. Current net production is 45 MMcf/d. EnSight currently
operates a one-rig drilling program, which Tellurian plans to maintain through 4Q22. Tellurian is building the
Driftwood LNG export facility on the west bank of the Calcasieu River, south of Lake Charles.
Momentum buying Midcoast assets for $1.3 billion
According to sources talking with Reuters, Momentum Midstream, which is privately-owned, is buying
pipeline assets from Midcoast Energy located in the East Texas part of the Haynesville for $1.3 billion.
The deal is backed by funds from private equity firm EnCap Flatrock Midstream. According to its website,
Midcoast operates a 3,625-mile gathering and processing pipeline network transporting both natural gas
and NGLs.
contracts. In July, the 5th Circuit Williams’ PennEast Transco pipeline in Pennsylvania
overruled FERC, setting what competitor opposed by NJ and New Jersey to deliver
some in the midstream sector In March 2019, Williams Marcellus gas to PA, NJ, and
call a dangerous precedent. announced a plan to beef up its Maryland. The project, called >
or under construction, located increase natural gas deliveries Mexico increased significantly
primarily in Eddy and Lea from the Waha area to multiple YoY by 131% as private producers
counties in New Mexico. Lucid’s mainline connections, including continue to drive higher activity
assets are anchored by long- Katy, TX, and various U.S. Gulf levels. During 2Q, Crestwood
term, fixed-fee contracts on over Coast markets. The target in- had an average of seven rigs
600,000 dedicated acres. service date for the project is running on its footprint, three
Nov. 1, 2023. of which were located in Eddy
Kinder Morgan green County, NM. Crude oil gathering
lights PHP expansion Crestwood’s Delaware volumes on the system acquired
Kinder Morgan announced a final gathering up 22% from Oasis Midstream averaged
investment decision to proceed During 2Q22, Crestwood Equity 24,000 bbl/d as Percussion
with its Permian Highway Partners’ Delaware Basin Petroleum continues to operate
Pipeline (PHP) expansion project natural gas gathering volumes three rigs on its asset footprint.
after securing binding firm averaged 270 MMcf/d, a 22% Some 41 wells were connected
transportation agreements for increase year-over-year (YoY). to Crestwood’s Delaware Basin
all available capacity. The project Crestwood processed 151 system during 2Q. Crestwood
will increase PHP’s capacity by MMcf/d, an increase of 124% expects more than 120 well-
approximately 550 MMcf/d. The YoY. Gathering volumes on the connects in the Delaware in
expansion adds compression to Willow Lake system in New 2022.
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RATINGS ■ SPECIFICATIONS ■ INFORMATION CO2 COMPRESSION PARTNERS IN TRAINING COMPONENTS
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JULY 2022 www.compressortech2.com

2022
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Energy transition
Investors surge into hydrogen
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 SHALE
NEWS

ROCKIES POWDER RIVER BASIN, MIDCONTINENT (ANADARKO/

DENVER-JULESBURG BASIN, NIOBRARA) SCOOP/STACK)
ArcLight sells San Juan operator Citizen Energy closes on deal adding 200 wells
North Hudson Resource Partners, in partnership with the Tulsa-based Citizen Energy announced it has closed on acquiring
management team of LOGOS Resources II, announced it has substantially all of the oil and gas properties of Red Bluff Resources
acquired LOGOS from affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners for and Bricktown Energy. The acquisition generates an 18% increase
approximately $402 million. LOGOS’ assets include over 230,000 in Citizen’s daily production and includes an additional 13,000
net acres in the San Juan Basin with current net production of 106 boe/d (56% liquids), 200 operated wells, and 739 non-operated
MMcfe/d and an extensive inventory of drilling locations in the wells. Citizen’s existing 245,000 net acre position, coupled with
core of the Mancos Shale and Gallup oil play. LOGOS anticipates the sellers’ 80,000 net acres, will create a dominant Mid-Continent
increasing net production to approximately 130 MMcfe/d by footprint. Following the acquisition, Citizen’s assets now consist of
year-end. 86,000 boe/d, 720+ operated wells, 326,000+ net acres (98% HBP),
and a projected EBITDAX of $750-$800 million.
DCM Midstream fined $3.25 million
The U.S. Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection
Agency, and the State of Colorado announced a settlement the Regional Energy Access NJ. The project will flow 829
with DCP Operating Company and five other subsidiaries of DCP expansion project, was aimed MMcf/d of natural gas to multiple
Midstream to strengthen leak detection and repair practices at eight at competing with the PennEast delivery points along Transco’s
natural gas processing plants in Weld County, CO, located within Pipeline project by flowing gas existing system.
the Denver Metro/North Front Range Ozone Nonattainment Area. from the prolific Marcellus in
The settlement was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of northeastern Pennsylvania to TGP explodes in Pa.
Colorado. The complaint alleges DCP violated leak detection and the Trenton, NJ area. PennEast A portion of Kinder Morgan’s
repair requirements in federal and state clean air laws, resulting in canceled its project after stiff Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP)
excess emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC.) opposition from state officials running through Clermont, PA,
in NJ. Williams now faces the in McKean County, exploded
PDC adds 99 wells in DJ Basin same opposition for its project and caused a fire in a remote
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission approved PDC from NJ. The Williams project wooded area in July. TGP
Energy’s Broe Oil & Gas Development Plan (OGDP) permit, which will construct and operate declared a force majeure
includes 30 wells in rural Weld County, CO. The Broe OGDP was approximately 35.8 miles of shutting down the pipeline
initiated by Great Western Petroleum which was acquired by PDC pipeline loop and one new (actually two pipelines) in
in May 2022. This is PDC’s first OGDP approval on Great Western compressor station, as well as the area, knocking some 330
acreage. Combined with a previously announced Kenosha OGDP modify existing compressor MMcf/d of gas offline in that
approval, PDC has added 99 new wells to its inventory. stations and facilities in PA and area. CT2

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EUROPE
EU members approve proposed
gas use reduction plan
Energy ministers from the 27 European
Union member states – except Hungary –
have approved a proposal by the European
Commission to reduce natural gas use
across the bloc by 15% until the spring of
2023.
The proposal was unveiled as gas flows
from Russia to Europe remained curtailed,
because of what the Commission described
as “the Kremlin’s weaponization of gas
exports.”
THE AUTHOR
ANNA KACHKOVA is an
independent oil and gas writer
based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
She has over 13 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
In particular, the Nord Stream pipeline
from Russia to Germany was offline when
the proposals were published, and while it
subsequently came back online, only 20% of
its capacity was being used as of August 4.
Under the Commission’s European Gas
Demand Reduction Plan, EU member states
would focus on substituting gas with other
fuels, as well as achieving overall energy
savings across all sectors. The plan aims
to safeguard supply to households and
essential users such as hospitals, as well as
industries considered to provide essential
products and services to the economy and
EU supply chains.
The 15% reduction target amounts to
around six weeks of EU gas consumption
based on 2021 levels. The target would be
voluntary, but under the initial proposals,
a mandatory gas demand reduction could
have been imposed on all EU member states
without consultation if there was a risk of
a severe supply shortage or exceptionally
high demand. However, this part of the plan
PHOTO: REUTERS
German
Chancellor OIaf
Scholz stands
next to a gas
turbine meant to
be transported to
the compressor
station of the
Nord Stream 1
gas pipeline in
Russia during
his visit to
Siemens Energy’s
site in Muelheim
an der Ruhr,
Germany.
EURO GAS
REPORT
Anna Kachkova
provides information
on the latest gas
compression news
from Europe
received pushback from various countries
and the Czech presidency of the EU Council
redrafted the text so that members of the
bloc would need to vote to approve any
mandatory cuts. Certain other changes
and exemptions were also worked into the
proposals.
The amended text was more widely
acceptable to EU members. A certain amount
of opposition to mandatory measures
remains, though, with the Polish government
subsequently calling for the ability to
veto binding cuts days after the plan was
approved by energy ministers.
GERMANY
Nord Stream continues to flow
below capacity amid turbine
standoff
The Nord Stream pipeline from Russia to
Germany continued to flow at roughly 20%
capacity as of August 4, amid a dispute over
the status of a turbine that had recently been
returned to Europe following maintenance in
Canada.
The SGT-A65 turbine is normally installed
at the Portovaya compressor station in
Russia but had been sent to Canada for
repairs by Germany’s Siemens Energy. The
turbine is one of eight aeroderivative gas
turbines used at the compressor station.
Six of the units have a capacity of 52 MW
each, while two have a capacity of 27 MW
each. There are also four back-up turbines
at Portovaya aimed at ensuring the
compressor station keeps running when
some of the equipment goes offline for
maintenance.
However, Russia’s state-owned Gazprom
cut gas flows on Nord Stream to 40% of its
total capacity of 5.9 Bcf/d (1.67 × 108 m3/d) >
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 29
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 EURO GAS
REPORT

in mid-June citing maintenance issues. GREECE, BULGARIA

This was followed by a 10-day shutdown for ICGB completes Greece-Bulgaria

MAP: EQUINOR
The project will include a 1,000 km (621-mile)
CO2 export trunkline operated by Equinor.
BELGIUM, NORWAY
Equinor, Fluxys to develop North
Sea CO2 pipeline
Norway’s Equinor and Belgium’s Fluxys
have agreed to develop a pipeline for
transporting carbon dioxide (CO2) to
storage sites in the North Sea. The project
will connect Belgium and Norway, and
will offer open access to emitters in
Belgium and surrounding countries. The
project will include a 1,000 km (621-mile)
CO2 export trunkline operated by Equinor,
connecting an onshore CO2 transmission
infrastructure
maintenance in July. Once flows restarted,
they remained limited, with Gazprom saying
that only one of the six main turbines at
the Portovaya compressor station was
operating, as well as one of the back-up
turbines. According to the company, three
other turbines at Portovaya also require major
overhauls.
Concerns over gas supply shortages
in Germany prompted the Canadian
government in mid-July to allow Siemens to
return the repaired turbine to Europe under
a sanctions waiver. This has not resolved
the issue however, and the turbine remained
in Germany as of August 4, with Gazprom
claiming sanctions made its return to Russia
impossible.
Germany has rejected this claim, however,
accusing Gazprom of not honoring its
contracts and limiting supplies to Europe for
political reasons.
link, receives certification
Construction on the Interconnector Greece-
Bulgaria (IGB) pipeline was completed
in July. Operator ICGB also received a
final certification, allowing it to act as an
independent transmission operator. The
company became the second independent
transmission operator in Bulgaria.
ICGB’s CEO on the Bulgarian side, Teodora
Georgieva, told media later in July that the
company intended to offer interested parties
all unbooked capacity on the pipeline.
The IGB pipeline has an initial capacity of
105.9 Bcf/y, of which 55.4 Bcf/y has been
secured under long-term contracts of up
to 25 years. Linden Energy has also said it
would use 10% of the pipeline’s capacity
following its acquisition of Bulgaria’s Overgas,
for which it is currently seeking regulatory
approval. The remaining capacity will be
offered to all interested parties. CT2

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Baker Hughes recently shipped four of its
HG series of reciprocating compressors to
a refinery in Thailand. PHOTO: BAKER HUGHES
New applications for an
established technology.
By Keefe Borden
O
ne of the most common ways that
industries adapt and advance is to
find new uses for an established
technology. Many OEMs have used the
proven technology of reciprocating
compressors for new uses, primarily the
transition of the energy sector away from
hydrocarbons.
Baker Hughes is now using its experience
as technology provider for reciprocating
compressors to boost the hydrogen used
in new uses, primarily in transportation. The
company has seen a growing demand for
hydrogen compressors worldwide.
Baker Hughes has provided compression
solutions for hydrogen applications since
1962 and now has more than 2,250 units of
hydrogen compressors installed worldwide,
the majority of which are reciprocating
compressors.
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
Baker Hughes sees
expanded use
for reciprocating
compressors
Looking at all the applications and the API
618 standards, there are about 3,000 Baker
Hughes reciprocating compressors installed.
Many of these machines can operate up to
three years in severe conditions without the
need of stopping the machine to perform
maintenance.
Growing intereest in green hydrogen
Until few years ago, the majority of Baker
Hughes customers seeking hydrogen
compression were refiners. Now, however,
industrial companies are showing a steady
BAKER HUGHES
interest in hydrogen compressors for a wider
variety of uses that include mobility.
“Now, we are hearing a lot of interest in
green hydrogen,” said Tommaso Wolfler,
product leader, reciprocating compressors at
Baker Hughes. “We have used reciprocating
compressors in refining for 60 years, and the
same machines can be used in the energy
transition.”
The use of hydrogen compression at
refineries has given Baker Hughes the
needed experience to adapt the technology
for other applications. “It’s the same gas >
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 35
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
BAKER HUGHES

that we know very well, and we were able

to take on challenging applications with
high fuel complexity and extreme operating
conditions, providing solutions that are
process optimized and cost competitive,”
he said.

Expanded capacity of reciprocators

Current hydrogen applications for refueling
stations require a diaphragm compressor,
which can compress the gas up to 900
bar. But diaphragm compressors typically
do not have the capacity of reciprocating
technology. To make up for the limited
capacity, an operator would need multiple
diaphragm compressors to keep up with the
volume of a single reciprocating machine.
In addition, diaphragm compressors
generally require more stringent maintenance
intervals. On the contrary, reciprocating
compressors can have extremely long useful
lives. “Some of them are dinosaurs.”
Baker Hughes manufactures the HG series
of reciprocating compressors. These are
the largest machines the company designs,
some of which have up to 10 cylinders with a
cylinder size up to 1250 mm. The HG series of
reciprocating compressors are an important
part of the energy transition, but hydrogen
compressors still face some technical
challenges.
“We are continuously investing in this
technology and we are at work to increase
efficiency, to avoid contamination and
to reach higher discharge pressure,” he
said. The gas has to be purged of moisture
before it is compressed. To avoid additional
contamination, engineers designed it with a
proprietary technology that avoids lubrication
fluids. The engineers worked with a unique
sealing design and compressor architecture
to achieve high discharge pressure without
lubrication.
Combination of compressors
“The process challenge is to have a high
discharge pressure without lubrication,”
Wolfler said. In other scenarios, Baker Hughes
provides a combination of both reciprocating
and centrifugal compressors.
“When you need to have large flow
rates with high discharge pressures, we
36 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022
can combine the technologies,” he said.
The centrifugal compressors enable the
process to achieve larger flow rates, while
the reciprocating machines use enable
higher pressures. “We are pioneering in this
direction, developing High Pressure Ratio
Compression (HPRC) technologies working in
combination with reciprocating compressors
to guarantee large H2 production with less
CAPEX investment, as well as OPEX services,
with a footprint reduced up to 75% as per
specific applications.”
Asia refinery
Even as end users have shown a growing
interest in reciprocating compressors for new
applications, Baker Hughes continues to see
steady interest from traditional customers,
including refiners. Baker Hughes recently
shipped an HG unit to China and is preparing
separate orders for customers in the U.S. and
Saudi Arabia.
The company also recently produced and
shipped four HG compressors to the Sriracha
oil refinery operated by Thai Oil, a subsidiary
of the state-held PTT Group. Managers at
the refinery decided in 2018 to expand its
There are about 3000 Baker Hughes compressors
installed worldwide that meet API 618 standards.
PHOTO: BAKER HUGHES.
capacity 275,000 b/d to 400,000 b/d and
to make it more environmentally friendly
by providing a series of new processing
facilities that included new hydrocracking
unit, residue hydrocracking unit, hydrogen
manufacturing unit, hydrotreating unit and a
new hydrodesulphurization unit.
Driven by electric motor
Given the refinery’s high flow rate for the gas,
Baker Hughes recommended its HG series of
reciprocating compressors. In this case, the
units have eight cylinders each.
Baker Hughes supplied four identical
units throughout the refinery, each of which
included a relative auxiliary cooling and
lubrication system driven by a 20 MW electric
motor. Each unit has a footprint of 11 X 15
meters, weighs 330 tons, draws 20.7 MW of
power and has a capacity to transport 9150
m3/hour of hydrogen.
Baker Hughes tested and manufactured
the units before the end of 2020 and the
refinery is in the process of commissioning
them. CT2 >
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Modern reciprocating
compressors can reach
a given compression
ratio in fewer stages than
turbo compressors.
By Timothy Ablondi
and Mark Barton
H
ydrogen is poised to play a crucial
role in the energy transition
and has emerged as a powerful
decarbonization agent for many carbon-
intensive sectors, including process
industry, transportation, mobility, and power
generation.
Compressors are an essential part of
the hydrogen value chain and are needed
to efficiently transport and store hydrogen
from its point of production to end-use. This
includes the gathering of emissions-free
“Green” hydrogen produced by electrolyzers;
“Grey” hydrogen from steam methane
or autothermal reformers (SMRs/ATRs);
or “Blue” hydrogen, which is essentially
“grey” hydrogen with CO2 removed from
the generating source. Other applications
include transporting hydrogen via short or
long-distance pipelines, compressing it to the
pressure levels required by vehicle fueling
stations, fuel cells, supplying gas turbines,
or other downstream and petrochemical
processes.
Hydrogen compressors do not “see”
the hydrogen production method “colour”,
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
Compressors
are hydrogen
‘colour blind’
as every process produces the same low
molecular (i.e., mole) weight hydrogen gas.
However, there are several factors that must
be considered when selecting a machine
for a given application. In this article, we will
discuss a few key variables, including:
1. Gas Composition
2. Water Content
3. Wet vs. Dry Process Gas Flow
4. Suction Pressure
5. Process Gas Temperature
6. Compression Ratio
7. Cylinder Lube-oil Carryover
For end-users, failure to specify these
values to OEMs submitting bids can result in
a number of undesirable outcomes, including
higher costs (in both CAPEX and OPEX) and
confusion as to which compressor solution is
best suited for the application.
Hydrogen compression basics
Hydrogen has a mole weight of 2.02 g/mol
and a density approximately 1/8th that of
natural gas. This has important implications
for compression as each compressor
technology is impacted differently basis the
low gas mole weight.
Reciprocating compressors work on the
SIEMENS ENERGY
principle of positive displacement; therefore,
efficiency is not affected by the molecular
weight of the process gas compressed. This
is in contrast to centrifugal-type turbo-
compressors, which utilize high-speed
impeller rotation to increase the kinetic
energy of the gas which is then converted
to pressure through the stationary diffuser.
The gas kinetic energy is a direct function
of its velocity and mass (molecular weight).
Since the mole weight of hydrogen is low, the
velocity of the gas will need to be higher to
achieve an equivalent pressure compared to
a heavier mole weight gas.
Increasing the kinetic energy can be done
two ways: the first is increasing impeller tip
speed by increasing rotational speed and/or
expanding the diameter of the impeller. The
limiting factor here is often the mechanical
strength limits of the impeller materials.
The second is by incorporating additional
compressor stages.
Currently, state-of-the-art reciprocating
compressors can achieve a given overall
compression ratio in fewer stages than
turbo-compressors. For example, achieving
a pressure ratio of 4:1 on hydrogen gas
would typically require only two stages in
a reciprocating compressor. With a turbo-
compressor, the same application may take
as many as six stages and would likely come
at a higher CAPEX as well.
While turbo-compressors have limitations
in hydrogen service, progress is being made
on advancing the technology for improving >
1
FIGURE Reciprocating compressors are
currently the most efficient option for
compressing hydrogen in most applications.
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 39
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
SIEMENS ENERGY
compression ratio capabilities. Research and
development efforts are currently focusing
on several areas, including the design of the
core compressor, bearings, materials, seals,
train architecture, and packaging.
Ultimately, the choice of compressor
will be dictated by the unique requirements
of the process. Turbo-compressors are
generally a better option for situations
with moderate to high flows and lower
compression ratios (i.e., hydrotreating units
in refineries). Reciprocating compressors,
on the other hand, are better suited for
lower volumes and higher pressures, or
where a high range and flexibility in part-
load operation is expected. A prime example
would be downstream of an electrolyzer unit
in a green hydrogen production plant.
Design considerations for
reciprocating compressors
Siemens Energy is a leading provider of
both reciprocating and turbo-compressors
to the hydrogen market. With over 2,500
reciprocating units (more than 2.5 million
horsepower) installed worldwide in hydrogen
rich services, the company has extensive
experience designing these machines for a
wide range of applications. To ensure optimal
compressor solutions are obtained, the
impacts of critical process parameters need
to be clearly understood. Some of the most
important are outlined below.
■ Gas Composition - Gas composition dic-
tates gas compressibility and gas molecular
weight. It is possible for different gas mix
40 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022
combinations to have the same combined
molecular weight but different compress-
ibility values. This is critical, as compress-
ibility will impact power consumption of the
compressor, which in turn will affect motor
selection and lifecycle costs of the plant.
Generally, a lower molecular weight will
require larger cylinders vs. the equivalent
mass flow of a higher molecular weight gas.
Specifying the exact make-up of the gas to
the compressor OEM (i.e., 100% H2 vs. 99%
H2, 1% O2) will ensure that the correct design
is selected, and that costs and energy
consumption are optimized.
■ Water Content & Wet vs. Dry Flow – Water
content also impacts gas molecular weight
and compressibility. 100% dry hydrogen
gas will have a lower molecular weight than
100% hydrogen gas saturated with water.
A gas containing water can have its flow
represented as a “dry flow” where the water
content is not considered or as a “wet flow”
which does take water into account. A wet
gas application will typically require a smaller
compressor solution if it is sized on the basis
of wet flow rather than the same value as
a dry flow. Additional scope and material
considerations may also be required if water
is present in the gas.
■ Suction Pressure - Reciprocating
compressors are highly sensitive to suction
pressure, especially near atmospheric (1
BarA). This is because positive displacement
machines need to physically create
the volume to be compressed. A unit
compressing gas at 1BarA will require first
REFERENCES
[1]
Strategy and Part of the
PWC Network, The dawn of
green hydrogen in https://
www.strategyand.pwc.com/
m1/en/reports/2020/the-
dawn-of-green-hydrogen/
the-dawn-of-green-
hydrogen.pdf
[2]
H2 Compression: An Integral
Part of the H Value Chain’,
Siemens Energy, (2021).
2
FIGURE Compressors
are needed at
virtually every step
of the hydrogen
value chain to
efficiently transport
and store hydrogen.
stage cylinders roughly twice the volume of
the equivalent service compressing the gas
from 2 BarA. This sensitivity is noticeable
even when comparing 1.05 BarA to 1.1 BarA.
Therefore, it is important to be precise when
defining the pressure as “atmospheric”.
■ Gas Temperature - A higher temperature
gas will require larger bore cylinders to create
the same volume as a lower temperature gas
at the same pressure. Compressing a gas
with a higher suction temperature will have
a higher discharge temperature. This can
result in discharge temperature limits being
reached sooner, thus additional stages of
compression may be required.
■ Compression Ratio – Achieving higher
compression ratios requires additional stages
of compression; and additional stages require
additional cylinders. Compressor staging
requirements will also be influenced by
discharge temperature limits. For hydrogen,
depending on process gas temperatures, the
compression ratio per stage would typically
be around ~2.
■ Lube-oil Carryover - Lubrication provides
protective film for wear parts and is critical
to compressor reliability and availability. To
improve reliability and availability, non-
lubricated services require a slower piston
speed. This is met by reducing electric motor
RPM, or shortening the compressor stroke.
Reduced piston speed will necessitate
larger bore cylinders to meet equivalent flow
capacities. Non-lube applications have lower
discharge pressure limits and bore diameter
limitations. CT2
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Parker Hannifin nets contract
for offshore filtration system
P
arker Hannifin has secured a contract
to supply gas turbine filtration
systems for use aboard a floating
production storage and offloading (FPSO)
vessel planned for offshore Brazil. The value
of the contract was not disclosed.
Through its Gas Turbine Filtration division,
Parker Hannifin has provided air intake
filtration packages for use on FPSOs. Its close
relationship with major gas turbine OEMs
often makes it a preferred supplier for new
projects, the company said.
One of its most recent successes
includes a project to provide its E12 air-inlet
Static Offshore high velocity, modular gas
turbine filtration units for a new FPSO being
commissioned by a major Brazilian oil and
gas company.
Gas turbines used on FPSOs require
protection from the elements and
contaminants within the environment they
are installed. The challenge for gas turbine
filtration manufacturers is to provide the right
balance of protection, reliability, cost, and
lifecycle maintenance within a compact, light,
and robust package suitable for use onboard
these vessels, the company said.
“Our support for such projects goes
beyond the provision of reliable, compact,
robust solutions that meet the filtration
and protection needs for valuable GTs used
PHOTO: REUTERS
onboard the FPSOs,” said Gerald Woodward,
division sales & marketing manager, gas
turbine filtration at Parker Hannifin. “We have
also invested in a strong supply chain in both
Brazil and Europe, which meets localization
demands and supports the operator and EPC
in meeting their project goals.”
Modular, compact systems
Parker’s Static Offshore E12 air-inlet systems
are modular, compact, and easily serviced.
The systems are highly efficient and
specifically designed for offshore use with
the smaller, high velocity efficiency turbines
used on FPSOs, the company said.
“We have developed standard modules
for our offshore air intake packages to both
reduce cost and ensure filter performance.
Our long history in designing offshore filter
systems and deep understanding of the
elements they face, mean we offer high
performance solutions that protect the GTs,
while optimizing maintenance requirements,
and reducing overall cost of ownership,”
he said.
The new contract from the EPC serving
the oil operator is the latest in a series of
awards for FPSOs operating offshore Brazil to
exploit oil and gas resources there. It is the
second of a planned four FPSOs and intake
units are planned for delivery in CY22. Parker
FILTRATION
PARKER HANNIFIN
Parker Hannifin will provide its Static Offshore
E12 air-inlet high velocity modular gas turbine
filtration units for a new FPSO offshore Brazil.
Contract marks second of
four planned FPSOs and
intake units planned for
2022. By Keefe Borden
was also successful in securing the order
for the first FPSO, with units scheduled for
delivery in April 2022.
“Over time, we have provided around
150 modular GT filtration units with Static
Offshore E12 air-inlet high velocity worldwide,”
Woodward said. “We continue to develop and
enhance our filtration units to support the
increasing efficiency of modern gas turbines,
as well as investing to ensure support
systems and supply chains are robust for
Brazilian operators.”
Earlier this year, Parker Hannifin
announced it released new ancillary spares
kits for gas turbine filter house maintenance.
The kits are designed to ensure customers
can easily access the replacement parts
needed to avoid unplanned downtime and
maintain filter house performance over years
of operation, the company said.
While timely filter replacement is essential
to the protection of gas turbines, it is critical
that all components are properly maintained
to ensure continued turbine performance.
Specific customer needs
Tailored to specific customer and site needs,
the new kits provide a comprehensive set of
spares to service the inlet house for a period
of five years, or three filter replacement
cycles, the company reported. CT2
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 43
TURBOMACHINERY
CHART INDUSTRIES
Turboexpanders are
key components to
the energy transition
Some traits of hydrogen pose challenges to end users. By Keefe Borden
W
ith the energy sector looking to
decarbonize, the transition away
from hydrocarbons is underway
with hydrogen taking center stage in many
of the industry’s roadmaps. Georgia-based
Chart Industries (NYSE: GTLS) has responded
to this interest by bolstering its offering of
products and technologies that enable the
industry to move away from hydrocarbons
and toward clean energy solutions.
As part of that effort, Chart acquired L.A.
Turbine (LAT) in 3Q21 for about $80 million
in cash. LAT is a turboexpander design,
engineering, manufacturing and assembly
company of new and aftermarket equipment,
with significant in-house engineering
expertise. With the addition of LAT, Chart is
able to offer customers a “one-stop shop”
solution and more options within what they
refer to as the “Nexus of Clean”—clean power,
clean water, clean food and clean industrials.
This includes technology equipment for
a variety of applications used in
hydrogen and helium liquefaction,
carbon capture and energy storage,
industrial gas, natural gas processing,
small-scale LNG plants and heavy
hydrocarbon removal at LNG plants.
Chart purchased LAT because of
their capability to manufacture unique
expanders required for hydrogen and
helium liquefaction, and due to LAT’s
vertical integration, Chart is further
differentiated by the ability to
execute faster on new expander
product developments and
standard expander manufacturing,
resulting in greater control over
44 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022
delivery timeframes. There is a high degree
of fit between the high specification
engineering of both LAT and Chart, which is
already yielding positive results in increasing
the size of hydrogen liquefaction plant
capacities and improving plant efficiencies.
“These very specialized expanders are
difficult to design and produce as they
require very high speed and efficiency, and
in some cases, must be oil-free machines
with gas foil bearings for smaller plants, and
for larger plants, be equipped with magnetic
bearings,” said Chart CEO Jill Evanko.
Turboexpanders are part of the “secret
sauce” of the liquefaction process.
“Turboexpanders help determine the
efficiency of the liquefier and provide other
operational advantages,” said Doug Ducote,
chief technology officer at Chart. Having
this equipment design capability in-house
complements Chart’s brazed aluminum heat
exchanger and cold box manufacturing.
Energy carrier
The emergence of hydrogen as an
alternative to hydrocarbons has
created a range of opportunities for
companies like Chart that produce
equipment throughout the hydrogen
value chain. Chart has designed and
manufactured hydrogen equipment
for more than 57 years. Chart does
Cryo Technologies designs and builds
modern turboexpander cycles to
liquefy hydrogen using either helium
or hydrogen as a working fluid, with or
without liquid nitrogen precooling.
not produce or own the hydrogen molecule.
Rather it has applied its cryogenic expertise
to develop a complete solution to enable
customers to take full advantage of the
hydrogen value chain from liquefaction,
storage, distribution, and end use fueling
applications.
Interestingly, while many of the
technologies required to develop hydrogen
at scale are in development, Chart has been
providing hydrogen liquefaction, storage,
vaporization and distribution systems since
the 1960s with a client list that includes the
world’s leading industrial gas companies and
space exploration organizations.
Through advancements in fuel cell stack
technologies and continued cost reductions,
hydrogen can be used as an energy carrier to
fulfill several roles in the energy sector. With
the ability to store renewable power, produce
electricity, and power light and heavy-
duty vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions,
hydrogen becomes a potential global energy
source at scale.
In addition to the purchase of LAT, Chart
purchased an engineering company, Cryo
Technologies in 1Q21, whose deep cryogenic
system design expertise enhances its
ability to offer hydrogen and helium system
solutions.
A quick look at Chart’s CV shows the
company continues to be a prime mover in
natural gas, the cleanest burning fossil fuel,
and one that is often described as the bridge
fuel towards an eventual hydrogen solution.
LNG is not going away. Rather, it is going
to be a part of the overall hybrid solution,
and to get there, Chart is leveraging its LNG
 TURBOMACHINERY
CHART INDUSTRIES

rates, both LNG and liquid hydrogen are

stored and transported in insulated vessels.
Chart makes equipment to move hydrogen
by transport trailer, ISO container, rail car or
marine transport.

Range of energy products

A. Turbine’s
newest expander offering, the ARES AMB
turboexpander-compressor with on-skid control panel.
expertise by applying many of the same for end users and processors. Hydrogen’s
technologies used to produce, store and volumetric density is low compared to LNG,
transport liquefied natural gas to hydrogen. which requires more and large volumes of
The LNG supply chain provides a model for storage tanks. Plus, the colder temperatures
the hydrogen supply chain and uses many of required to liquefy hydrogen (-252.8 deg C),
the same concepts for hydrogen liquefaction, compared with natural gas which liquefies at
storage and transportation. -162 deg C, pose the risk of liquefying air and
Like methane, hydrogen is a gas, but its generating oxygen-rich condensates.
unique characteristics pose a few challenges Although the two gases boil at different
The energy industry has never committed
more than it has now to a diverse range of
energy products and a long-term reduction
in hydrocarbons. Chart is a major contributor
and influencer in the development, design
and manufacture of hydrogen based
and other clean energy solutions. Every
day brings new announcements and
advancements in companies’ abilities to
contribute to the clean energy transition
through the newest energy candidate,
hydrogen. The companies that can develop
the infrastructure used to store, transport,
liquefy and re-gasify hydrogen, and other
alternatives, will have a promising future in
the new energy economy. CT2

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Inlet piping length for
centrifugal compressors
How much is too much?
By Christopher Braman,
Elliott Group USA and
Tim Allison, SwRI
F
low distribution at the compressor
inlet flange is critical to both machine
performance and accurately measuring
the inlet conditions. A flow distribution that
is radially uniform is preferred to minimize
the aerodynamic effects at the compressor
inlet. Non-uniform velocity or pressure
fluctuations, also called distortions, increase
aerodynamic losses at the blade leading
edge and can lead to unstable compressor
operation. Fortunately, fluctuations are
self-correcting so that a uniform flow can
be achieved given enough length
CHRISTOPHER BRAMAN is an
THE AUTHORS
engineer in the Compressor Design
& Development group at Elliott
Group in Jeannette, Pennsylvania.
He has over 20 years of experience in product
engineering and research and development
for centrifugal compressors and other
turbomachinery. He received a B.S. degree
in Mechanical Engineering from
Pennsylvania State University.
TIM ALLISON is the Machinery
Department Director at Southwest
Research Institute where he leads
an organization that focuses on R&D for
the energy industry. His research experience
includes analysis, fabrication, and testing of
turbomachinery and systems for advanced
power or oil & gas applications.
of straight pipe. However, the length of
straight pipe depends on the magnitude
of the velocity and pressure fluctuations.
For compressors, a long length of straight
pipe at the inlet is not always possible due
to space constraints and process piping
that usually contains valves, elbows, and
pipe expansions. The primary concern is to
identify the length of straight pipe needed
to minimize inlet flow distortions. This article
summarizes practical guidelines for piping
configurations that will not adversely affect
compressor performance, while recognizing
that piping must be minimized for economic
plant design. It presents a basic approach to
the analysis of piping configurations.
V1 - Inlet velocity
q V12
T1 - Inlet temperature
= Because velocity-static pressure ratios can
Z - Compressor factor
p1 2 * g * Z * R * T1
R - Gas constant
As a starting point, the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Performance
Test Code (PTC) on Compressors &
Exhausters can be used to determine the
length of straight pipe upstream of the
compressor inlet to provide uniform flow
for test measurements. The PTC [1] requires
a minimum of three diameters of straight
pipe between an elbow and the compressor
inlet and longer lengths up to 10 or more
diameters for piping smaller than 24-inch
diameter, axial inlets, or other upstream
disturbances. A second recommendation,
which is part of Elliott Group’s practice, is if
the velocity pressure (dynamic pressure, q)
entering the compressor inlet is more than
one percent of the static pressure (p1), a flow
equalizer must be used at the elbow exit. The
ratio of velocity pressure to static pressure
TECH CORNER
FLOW DISTRIBUTION
q/p1 STRAIGHT LENGTH (PIPE DIAMETERS)
0.005 1.5
0.01 3.0
0.015 4.5
1
TABLE Relationship between velocity-static
pressure ratio and straight inlet piping length
recommendation.
is calculated using the following equation.
Because the effect of changing Z is small, it
is usually ignored.
Low velocity-static pressure ratios
Elliott’s extensive factory test experience
confirms the ASME straight run requirement
and the velocity-static pressure ratio limit
as adequate for test piping arrangements.
be much lower than 0.01 in practice, the
straight pipe requirements from the PTC have
been modified, as listed in Table 1.
Using the above values as benchmarks
and solving the q/p1 equation, we can plot
diameters of straight pipe run upstream
of the compressor versus inlet velocity for
various molecular weights (Figure 1). Since
most compressors have an inlet temperature
range of 0°F to 100°F, the curve is based
on 50°F. In this range, the built-in error is
small. When the inlet temperature differs
considerably, however, the straight pipe
length can be determined with Figure 1 by
correcting the actual inlet flow velocity to
50°F using the equation below for ideal
gases. >
22.6 * V1 V1 - Inlet velocity
V50F = T1 - Inlet temperature
T1
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 47
TECH CORNER
FLOW DISTRIBUTION

STRAIGHT PIPE RUN REQUIREMENTS FOR BASE CASE

CURVES BASED ON TEMPERATURE OF 50OF
10
9
8
7
6
5
4

2
# DIAMETERS OF STRAIGHT PIPE

1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4

0.3 3
FIGURE Dean
vortices from single be a variation in axial flow across the pipe
0.2
90-degree elbow [3]. diameter. As a result, uniform gas distribution
to the impeller is more difficult to obtain than
for the base case, and the piping length
0.1

10 20 30 40 50 60 80 100 200 300

1
FIGURE Relationship recommendation should be multiplied by
between straight pipe a correction factor of 1.5. In regards to flow
GAS VELOCITY @ COMPRESSOR INLET [ft/sec] length and flow velocity, distortion, the single elbow results in the
depending on gas setup of a counter-rotating vortex pair, also
10 MW 20 MW 30 MW 40 MW 50 MW 80 MW 100 MW
molecular weight (MW). called Dean Vortices, as shown in Figure 3.

The process detailed so far provides The elbow can be oriented with the pipe
guidance on a basic starting point for coming into the elbow parallel or normal to
the number of straight pipe diameters the compressor rotor, as shown in Figure
needed upstream of a compressor inlet. 2. When the upstream pipe is parallel to
This basic number will be modified with the compressor rotor, this arrangement
correction factors based on the components is considered the least disruptive to the
immediately upstream of the compressor. inlet flow, and the correction factor will be
First, some common piping arrangements 1. The upstream pipe being normal to the
and correction factors need to be identified. compressor rotor causes the gas volume
For compressors, it is common for the inlet entering the compressor to be greater on the
to be proceeded by a straight run of pipe side opposite to the direction from which the
downstream of a long radius pipe elbow. pipe approaches. In other words, there will
ELBOW ELBOW
PARALLEL NORMAL
TO ROTOR TO ROTOR
FIGURE 2
Orientation of
single elbow
upstream of a
compressor [2].
Uneven distribution of flow
Another common arrangement is two
elbows immediately upstream of the inlet
pipe, as shown in Figure 4. Again, there are
two variations of this arrangement with
the pipe (upstream of the elbows) oriented
parallel or normal to the compressor rotor.
When parallel to the compressor rotor, the
gas flowing through these two elbows
leaves the second elbow with a swirl or a
rotating component, in addition to the normal
velocity distortion associated with an elbow.
When normal to the rotor, this arrangement
produces some swirl, but also the uneven
distribution of flow outlined above. For these
reasons, the suggested correction factors
for these two arrangements are 1.75 and 2,
respectively. To illustrate the difference in
flow distortion, Figure 5 shows the resulting
vortices downstream of two elbows.
Compressors with axial inlets, typically
single stage with overhung rotors, are
more sensitive to upstream flow deviations
because they do not typically have any inlet

48 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022

 TECH CORNER
FLOW DISTRIBUTION

guide vanes. For this reason, a compressor with an axial inlet should
have a 1.25 correction factor applied. If an axial inlet compressor has
an elbow or two upstream of the inlet, the factors for parallel plane
arrangements (Figure 4) would be used. Table 2 lists these correction We have your
factors as well as correction factors for other common arrangements.
missing link.
Upstream piping components
To quantify how different upstream piping components, like valves, All the compressor parts
affect the straight run requirements, we can look at piping standards you need are in stock now
for performance testing as outlined in the PTC and requirements
at Samco.
for uniform flow distribution (velocity profile) as applied to flow
metering elements, published by both the ASME and the American
High-speed, slow-speed,
Gas Association (AGA). A velocity profile with minimum distortion is
a critical requirement for a flow metering element such as an orifice
new, rebuilt, common,
or flow nozzle. Uniform velocity profiles are obtained by using long, rare—all OEM quality.
straight runs of pipe and flow equalizers upstream of the metering
element. The length of straight pipe is a function of the piping Call Samco.
configuration preceding the straight run and the ratio of the orifice (or We’ve got it.
nozzle) diameter to the nominal pipe diameter. This diameter ratio is
referred to as the B
‚ -ratio. The requirements for flow metering accuracy
are well established and generally recognized throughout the industry.

flow element diameter

‚ =
B
nominal pipe diameter
>
TWO ELBOWS AT 90O TO EACH OTHER WITH
SECOND ELBOW PARALLEL TO ROTOR

TWO ELBOWS AT 90O TO EACH OTHER WITH

SECOND ELBOW NORMAL TO ROTOR

FIGURE 4
Orientation of two
elbows upstream of a
compressor [2].
(281) 443-6505
callsamco.com Gas compression parts. Now.
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 TECH CORNER
FLOW DISTRIBUTION

ARRANGEMENT CORRECTION FACTOR of 0.5, one elbow requires 9 diameters,

One long radius elbow, plane parallel to rotor 1.00 and a partially-closed valve requires 25
One long radius elbow, plane normal to rotor 1.50 diameters. Therefore, the factor for one
Two elbows, with second elbow plane parallel to rotor 1.75 elbow (base case) is 9/9 or 1 and is 25/9 or
Two elbows with second elbow plane normal to rotor 2.00 2.78 for a partially closed valve. If we look at
Butterfly valve before an elbow, valve axis normal to inlet 1.50 the complete range of B ‚ -ratios, average the

Butterfly valve before an elbow, valve axis parallel to inlet 2.00 data, and let the single elbow be the base
case, a series of correction factors can be
Butterfly valve in straight run entering inlet, valve axis normal to rotor
Butterfly valve in straight run entering inlet, valve axis parallel to rotor
1.50
2.00
developed. Table 4 shows the correction >
Two elbows in same plane, plane parallel to rotor 1.15
Two elbows in same plane, plane normal to rotor 1.75
Axial inlet 1.25 T

TABLE 2 Piping arrangement correction factors. piping components expressed in nominal

As the B ‚ -ratio increases, the length
of straight pipe required for a given
arrangement also increases. The reason for
this is that as the orifice size increases for a
given pipe diameter, a more uniform velocity
distribution is required. Table 3 outlines the
straight pipe run requirements for various
pipe diameters for a B‚ -ratio of 0.5 [4].
Real world constraints can make it unrealistic
to apply these requirements to the
inlet of a compressor; however, the
relationship of requirements for FIGURE 5 Downstream
various configurations can provide vortices produced by two
valuable guidance for compressor inlet out-of-plane elbows [3].
requirements. For example, for a B ‚ -ratio

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 TECH CORNER
FLOW DISTRIBUTION

STRAIGHT PIPE RUN If a plant design cannot support the

PIPING CONFIGURATION REQUIREMENT (DIAMETERS)
minimum straight run of pipes required by
One long radius elbow 9
this method, a few options are available to
Regulator or partially closed valve 25 reduce the requirements. The first would
Gate valve (open) 6 be to apply a special-mitered, vaned elbow
Check valve 11 as shown in Figure 6. This elbow requires
Butterfly valve before an elbow, valve axis normal to inlet 1.50 a minimum installation space, has a low
Butterfly valve before an elbow, valve axis parallel to inlet 2.00 loss factor, and provides for a minimum-of-
Butterfly valve in straight run entering inlet, valve axis normal to rotor 1.50 velocity profile distortion downstream of
the elbow. However, a poor velocity profile
Butterfly valve in straight run entering inlet, valve axis parallel to rotor 2.00
upstream is carried through the elbow. In
Two elbows in same plane, plane parallel to rotor 1.15
addition, using two mitered, vaned elbows in
Two elbows in same plane, plane normal to rotor 1.75 series with one 90 degrees to the other will
Axial inlet 1.25 T not create a swirl in the flow. For large piping,
the cost would be comparable to standard
3
TABLE Straight pipe run requirements for TYPICAL MITERED, VANED ELBOW formed elbows. When mitered, vaned elbows
piping components ( ‚B = 0.5). are used in place of standard elbows, such
as the one pictured, the correction factors
3/4 in x 1/4 in Stiffener
factors developed based on the complete may be divided by 2.
range of B
‚ -ratio data using a single elbow as The inlet piping recommendations
the baseline [4]. discussed previously are intended to reduce
the effect of upstream piping features, such
Required diameter of straight pipe 5 in as elbows and control valves. However,
Made from 1/4
To illustrate how this information can section of 20-in pipe STD. there is little discussion on a practical
be applied, consider a hydrocarbon gas method of confirming the effect before
compressor with a molecular weight of 25, Rolled section and after implementing the upstream
shape of
an inlet temperature of 85°F, and an inlet FIGURE 6 ellipse 14.7 in
wide
piping changes. In Reference [3], the pipe
velocity of 100 fps. The piping arrangement Mitered length upstream of an axial-inlet centrifugal
is as shown in Figure 4 with the elbow plane vaned STD. 24-in compressor had no significant effect on
pipe
parallel to the rotor, but in addition, there is elbow [5]. the compressor performance, as shown in
a butterfly valve ahead of the two elbows. Figure 7. Recall that axial-inlet compressors
Entering Figure 1 at 100 fps and a molecular diameter is required. Applying the piping are more sensitive to upstream pipe layouts.
weight of 25, a straight run of 1.45 pipe configuration correction factor of 1.75 and the Therefore, it is likely that inlet piping has
butterfly valve factor of 1.5 gives: higher sensitivities to certain types of
CORRECTION 1.45 x 1.75 x 1.5 = 3.8 diameters compressor designs, and this should be
PIPING CONFIGURATION FACTOR (F)
Therefore, this arrangement requires considered in applications before making
One long radius elbow 1.00
approximately 4 diameters of straight pipe significant modifications to the compressor
Regulator or partially 3.00 before the compressor inlet. installation. CT2
closed valve
Gate valve (open) 1.00 1.1 1.1
Check valve 1.25 1 1
0.9 0.9
4 Piping component correction factors.
ISENTROPIC EFFICIENCY

TABLE 0.8 0.8

ISENTROPIC HEAD

0.7 0.7
[1]
1997, Performance Test Code on Compressors and Exhausters, 0.6 0.6
REFERENCES

PTC 10 - 1997(R2014), American Society of Mechanical Engineers,

0.5 0.5
New York.
[2]
Hackel, R. A., and King, R. F. Jr., “Centrifugal Compressor Inlet 0.4 0.4
Piping - A Practical Guide,” Compressed Air and Gas Institute, 4(2). 0.3 0.3
Baseline Baseline
[3]
White, B. A., Bueno, P. C., Fierro, F., and Cook, T. L., 2018, 0.2 1D
0.2 1D
“Mechanical, Stress and Flow Considerations for Piping 2D 2D
4D 4D
Design of Centrifugal Compressors,” Proceedings of the 47th 0.1 10D
0.1 10D
Turbomachinery & 34th Pump Symposia, Houston, TX.
0 0
[4]
2004, Pressure Test Codes - Flow Measurement, ASME PTC 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1
19.5-2004, American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
[5]
CORRECTED MASS FLOW CORRECTED MASS FLOW
1962, Aerospace Applied Thermodynamics Manual, SAE
International.
FIGURE 7 Upstream pipe length had no significant effect on compressor performance [3]
.

52 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022

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Cummins Engine
Company’s humble start
Leading diesel truck engine manufacturer also developed gas engines for compressors.
C
ummins, Inc. has grown to be the
world’s largest manufacturer
of over-the-road diesel
truck engines. But like most
success stories, it started from
humble beginnings. Clessie
Cummings, born in Indiana in
1888, had no formal education after
the eighth grade, having to quit
school to work on the family farm. Being very
mechanically inclined, the legend is that at
11 years old, he built his own steam engine
from molten iron that he poured into wooden
molds. The steam engine worked and was
used to irrigate the family farm.
Thinking like an engineer
Handy with tools and thinking like an
engineer, even if not trained like one, Clessie
became a mechanic at the Marmon Motor
Company, which led to him working with
Ray Harroun on the 1911 Marmon Wasp race
car that won the inaugural Indy 500. On the
The first Cummins engine was a re-designed
Hvid diesel engine with
Clessie Cummins’ own
improvements. Available
in 1.5 to 8 hp (1.1 to 6 kW),
about 3000 of the 600 rpm
engines were produced.
side, Clessie worked as a
chauffeur for Columbus, Indiana banker and
investor William Irwin, a major sponsor of
Harroun’s effort. Irwin recognized Clessie’s
talent and nurtured it. It wasn’t long before
they thought of building engines for local
farms, but in 1918, when they first saw an
imported diesel engine from Dutch firm,
R.M. Hvid, they saw potential in building this
new engine type under license for the U.S.
market. The Cummins Engine Company was
formally established in Columbus, Indiana in
1919 and was soon producing re-designed
Hvid diesel engines with Clessie’s own
improvements, available in 1.5 to 8 hp (1.1 to 6
CORNERSTONES
OF COMPRESSION
By the late 1990s, Cummins new gas
engines were growing market share
as 1800 rpm drivers for rotary screw
and reciprocating gas compressors.
Shown here is a package under
construction in 2004 with a Model
G8.3 engine driving a rotary screw
compressor [left] and a 175 hp (130
kW) Model GTA8.3 driving a small
reciprocating compressor, c.2003.
kW) at 600 rpm. About 3000 were produced.
By 1921, Cummins had secured two out of
33 submitted patents for improved fuel
efficiency and manifold technology for the
licensed Hvid engines.
Marine and diesel markets
Subsequent diesel engines included the
Model K, KO and L/LR/LRT, some of which
would supply marine and industrial markets
for 40 years. The single-disc fuel system,
which generated fuel pressure within the
injector, also debuted in 1929 and would run >
Cummins ended
its Hvid license
in 1924, with
introduction of
its own Model M
engine, followed
by this 5.5 in.
bore Model F.
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | 57
CORNERSTONES
OF COMPRESSION

RATING @ 1800
MODEL BORE IN. (MM) STROKE IN. (MM) NO. OF CYLINDERS RPM HP (KW)
GTA5.9 4.02 (102) 4.72 (120) 6 Inline 116 (87)
GTA8.3 4.49 (114) 5.32 (135) 6 Inline 190 (142)
GTA8.3 SLB 4.49 (114) 5.32 (135) 6 Inline 175 (130)
GTA855 5.50 (140) 6.00 (152) 6 Inline 286 (213)
GTA855E 5.50 (140) 6.00 (152) 6 Inline 256 (191)
KTA19GC 6.25 (159) 6.25 (159) 6 Inline 420 (313)

In 1964, Cummins started building natural
gas engines based on the designs of its
existing diesels. These were used primarily for
mechanical drive applications and generator
sets. Some were applied in the gas compression
market, including this now mothballed 109 hp (81
kW), 1800 rpm model G-495 belt-driving a slower
speed Ingersoll-Rand compressor.
through WWII. Clessie Cummins was elected
president of the company in 1930, promoting
his diesels by sponsoring race cars powered
by its engines, including the first ever
turbocharged engine run in the Indy 500.
Engine development continued with the
HB, smaller Model A, HS (supercharged), HR
(revised, with a bigger bore), NH and NHS,
and the NVH-1200, a V-12 sharing the HR
bore and stroke producing 400 hp (298 kW)
at 2100 rpm, and the supercharged NVHS
at 550 hp (410 kW). While Clessie and Team
Cummins were using racing for R&D, J. Irwin
Miller, grandnephew of William Irwin, became
company president in 1947 and chairman in
1951, when Cummins Inc. was incorporated.
By 1955, Cummins engines powered about
60% of diesel trucks in the U.S., highlighted
by the JT-600 turbodiesel. However, Clessie
Cummins was separated from his company
in 1954. Prior to retirement, he had been
In c.1929, Cummins introduced the Model K, which
would be one of the diesel engines that would
supply the marine and industrial markets.
KTA38GCE 6.25 (159)
working on an experimental compression-
release engine brake.
Slowing diesel sales
In the early 1960s, Cummins Inc. experienced
stronger competition and slower diesel sales.
In 1964, looking to diversify, the company
started building natural gas engines based
on the designs of its existing diesels. These
were used primarily for stationary mechanical
drive applications and generator sets, and
many remained in service for 50 years. Some
were applied in the gas compression market,
however, the high compression ratio that
was important in engines for fuel efficiency
made them unreliable with the inconsistent
heat values found in natural gas in the
upstream compression market.
Heavy duty natural gas engine
However, always strong in development,
Cummins eventually regained its lead in the
global diesel market, growing to production
6.25 (159) 12 vee 760 (567)
In the last 30 years, Cummins has succeeded in
the 1800 rpm gas compressor drive market with
a range of models with 8.5:1 compression ratio.
Listed here are the most common models used for
gas compressor drive applications in the U.S.
of 1.5 million engines in 2018. The company
also improved its gas engine offering,
producing its first heavy-duty natural
gas engine in 1991 with the same base
engine components, including the blocks,
crankshafts and connecting rods, used in
Cummins diesel engines. Learning from their
experience in the gas compression market
two decades earlier, this time Cummins was
very careful and deliberate. Engine features
and performance, including a more fuel
tolerant 8.5:1 compression ratio, were based
on customer input. Field trials preceded
large scale release of each production
model. This approach was successful, and
by the late 1990s, Cummins gas engines
were growing market share as 1800 rpm
drivers for rotary screw and reciprocating
gas compressors. When fully developed and
released, Cummins’ naturally aspirated and
turbocharged four-cycle natural gas engine
line ranged from 41 hp to 760 hp (31 to 567
kW). In 2019, the company reported that
more than 80,000 of its gas engines were in
use in applications that included natural gas
vehicles, power generation and compressor
drives. CT2

1919 1921 1924 1955 1964 2019

Cummins Engine Cummins secured two Introducd Model M Cummins engines Started building Reported that
Company was out of 33 submitted engine in one to four powered about natural gas engines more than 80,000
established in patents for improved cylinders at 7.5 hp (5.6 60% of diesel trucks using existing of its gas engines
Columbus, Indiana. fuel efficiency. kW) per cylinder. in the U.S. diesel designs. were in use.

58 | COMPRESSORTECH2 | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022

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