A gas field has recently been discovered with development wells on the way.

One of the reservoirs

in this field is targeted for this development and expectations to bring the first MMSCF of gas is
being considered by management.

There are currently THREE (3) development wells that are planned to come on stream from 01
January 2021. Figure 1 also presents the proposed gas production facility with known pressure and
temperatures. The unknown conditions are also required to complete the design tasks.

Key Assumptions

Pressure loss along gas lines = 25% of upstream pressure

Pressure loss along liquid lines = 15% of upstream pressure

Pressure loss along multiphase flow line = 20% of upstream pressure

Table 1 :Gas composition

Component Mole fraction Molar Mass

CO2 0.00002 44.0

N2 0.09877 28.01
C1 0.8 16.04
C2 0.0600 30.07

C3 0.03431 44.01
i-C4 0.005 58.124
n-C4 0.0019 58.124

Totals 1.00000

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 Figure 1: Processing facility for the gas oil field

QUESTION 1 : NATURAL GAS RESERVOIR ENGINEERING (15 MARKS)

Table 2: Gas production data derived from 2010 - 2015

Date Pressure (psia) Gp

BSCF
01 Jan 2010 6000 0
02 Jan 2011 5500 1.06
01 Jan 2012 5000 2.15
03 Jan 2013 4500 3.50
01 Jan 2014 4000 4.94
02 Jan 2015 3500 6.48

*BSCF = 10^9 SCF

Based on the gas production data in table 2 . Provide an estimate of the following (Indicate on the
graph and show all workings)

a. Gas in Place (10 marks)

b. The recovery factor if the abandonment pressure is expected to be at 2000 psia (5 marks)

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QUESTION 2 : NATURAL GAS WELL DELIVERABILITY (15 MARKS)

With Production to be considered from three (3) gas wells and assuming each has similar
performance. The following data is presented as reservoir and well conditions during an
isochronal well test for one of the gas wells

Reservoir pressure = 6000 psia, Rock permeability = 1 mD. Tubing inside diameter = 3 in,
Fanning Friction factor = 0.0044 , Average gas deviation factor = 0.93,

Length of well = 13000 ft , average gas viscosity = 0.0137 cp, well head test pressure = 650
psia, Gas production test rate = 10MMSCFD. The result of the well test made it possible to
provide an IPR for each gas well as shown in figure 2 .

7000
IPR
6000 TPR

5000

4000
Pwf (psia)

3000

2000

1000

0
0 3000 6000 9000 12000 15000
Q (MSCD)

Figure 2: IPR curve and TPR for each gas well

Based on the relevant information provided above

a. Determine the bottom hole flowing pressure , Pwf and hence the total pressure drop along
the production tubing that corresponds to the test rate assuming a single-phase gas flows
though the production tubing.( 5 marks)
b. Determine the natural flowing conditions ( i.e., Pwf and corresponding gas production rate
of a typical gas well.

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 (HINT: sketching on figure 2, derive the Tubing performance relationship (TPR) based
on the test bottom hole pressure and production rates) (5 marks)
c. What is the AOF of each well. ( 2 marks)
d. Determine the total operating production rate in MMSCF for all 3 gas wells? (3marks)

NATURAL GAS PROCESSING

The processing sequence on the surface facility is to separate the gas from contaminants and water,
dehydrate the gas, and compress the gas for pipeline transport. Currently, there is need a for design
of surface equipment to process the gas. Key parameters such as vessel pressures and temperature
and sizes of vessels to process the gas from the 3 wells are required.

QUESTION 3: Natural Gas Separation (15 MARKS)

A two-stage separation has been selected for the production facility based on well stream flow
rate, separation pressures and temperatures. With flashing conditions in each vessel water and
condensates are expected to drop out of solution. A condense rate of 10 bbl/ MMSCF and water
rate of 100bwpd of the total production is expected.

It is also considered to use 2 mins retention time for 2 phase flow and 5 mins for three phase flow
conditions

Given that the separation stage pressure ratio is 1.1 and neglecting pressure drop due to piping
between separators, size vertical and horizontal separators for the flow stream (Note : consider
½ full for the horizontal separator )

a. Complete results in the tables ( showing all workings)

Vertical separator

Separation Operating Separator size Gas Liquid

stage pressure (psia) D(inch) X H(ft)) capacity capacity
(MMSCFD) (bbl)
1
2

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Horizontal separator

Separation Operating Separator size Gas Liquid

stage pressure (psia) D(inch) X H(ft)) capacity capacity
(MMSCFD) (bbl)
1
2

b. Which separator type is recommended and why?

QUESTION 4: Natural Gas Dehydration (15 MARKS)

For the purpose of gas dehydration, size a trayed type TEG glycol dehydration unit based on the
following criteria

• Glycol/wate r ratio ( 5-gal TEG/l b m H2 O removed)

• T EG concentration: 99.9%
• Outlet water content 10 lb of water /MMSCF
• Inlet temperature if wet gas = 85 0F
• 5 mins retention for 2-phase flash separators with no condensates are present.

a. Complete results in the tables (showing all workings)

Inlet scrubber

Term Value Unit

D in
L ft

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Trayed type glycol contactor

Term Value Unit

Ct
Cg
Qs MMscf
Dc in
T
tdo F
∆td F
Number of ft
trays

Reboiler

Term Value Unit

Cwi lb/MMSCF
QG gal/hr
Ht BTU/hr
Afb Ft2

Glycol flash separator

Term Value Unit

tr min
Vs gal

b. What is the estimated total mass of water expected to be removed Wr, by the dehydration
𝑄𝑠 (𝐶𝑊𝑖 −𝐶𝑊𝑜 )
unit in lb of water per hour ? Use: 𝑊𝑟 =
24

where Wi in inlet water content and Wo is the outlet water content of the dry gas from the
contactor and Qs is the standard flow rate based on 0.7 specific gravity and 100 OF temperature

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NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION

QUESTION 5: Gas Compression ( 15 MARKS)

A low suction pressure Ps is expected from the dehydration unit which may not be sufficient for
gas transport via pipeline to the onshore site. Therefore, compressor station is proposed. Knowing
that the Maximum allowable compression ratio per compressor is 4.0 and an efficiency of 85% is
expected. The maximum operating temperature of the pipeline is 1200F. let k = 1.28

a. Complete the table of parameters ( show all workings) (10 marks))

Terms Value Unit

Suction Pressure, Ps Psia
o
Suction Temperature , Ts F
Discharge Pressure, Psia
(pipeline inlet) Pd
o
Discharge Temperature, Td F
Work done by compressor hp
(BHP)

b. Based on the discharge temperature, justify if there are any requirements for inter and or
after stage cooling of the gas after compression. (3 marks)
c. Is stage compression required, given the MOP of the pipeline? (2 marks)

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QUESTION 6: Natural gas Pipeline Transport (15 MARKS)

The dry gas recurved after compression is proposed to be transported via pipeline (neglecting all
forms of elevation) to the onshore facility 90 miles away for further processing.

Relevant information

The maximum operating pressure (MOP) of the pipeline is 1200 psig

Friction factor = 0.0107

Equivalent Length of pipeline ( includes all fittings and connections) = 95miles

Gas deviation factor = 0.85

Base temperature = 60 0F

Base pressure = 14.7 psia

a. Complete table ( show all workings) (6 marks)

Terms Value Unit

Pipeline Inlet pressure Pd Psia
Pipeline inlet Temperature Td oF
Internal Pipeline diameter Inches

b. Confirm if the computed internal diameter exceeds the erosional velocity requirement of
100
the pipeline? Knowing that the erosional velocity is computed as, 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = , where 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥
√𝜌

is in ft/s and 𝜌 is in lbm/ft3? (show working to justify) (5 marks)

c. Outline ONE role of parallel to deal with erosional velocity limits in a pipe (2 marks)
d. Suggest 2 areas in the gas facility where gas hydrates could be formed ( 2 marks)

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RELEVANT FIGURES AND EQUATIONS

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 GAS CAPACITY FOR VERTICAL HIGH PRESSURE SEPARATOR

GAS CAPACITY FOR HORIZONTAL HIGH PRESSURE SEAPARATOR

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LIQUID CAPCAITY OF A SEPARATOR

1440𝑉
𝑊=
𝑡𝑟

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Settling volumes (V) for high pressure vertical separator

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Settling volumes (V) for high pressure horizontal separator

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17
INLET SCRUBBER SIZING OF A 7.5 FT HIEGHT VESSEL

TRAYED CONTACTOR DIAMETER CHART

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19
 GYLCOL CONTACTOR HEIGHT CHART

GLYCOL DEHYDRATION - REBOILER SIZING

GLYCOL FLASH SEPARATOR SIZING

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G

COMPRESSOR DESIGN
Theoretical horsepower

Actual or Brake horsepower

DISCHARGE TEMPERATURE AFTER COMPRESSION

HEAT REMOVED BY INTERSTAGE COOLER

PIPELINE DESIGN

GENERAL GAS EQUATION

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