SWITCHING OF THE METER RUNS AT THE

UNION INDUSTRIAL ESTATE (UIEGRF) &
CARIBBEAN GAS CHEMICALS LTD (CGCL)

Presented by: Terryl Abdool

WITHOUT PREJUDICE
SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMER
 The information presented is provided without prejudice and subject to the Disclaimer herein.
 
Disclaimer
 
The information contained herein is confidential and further dissemination requires prior consent of
The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC). NGC makes no
representations or warranties express or implied, as to the quality, accuracy and completeness of this
information. The information herein shall not be binding on NGC, its stakeholders, board of
directors, employees and/or agents, and has no legal effect. Any planned shutdowns provided herein
is indicative and provided for information only and is subject to change at any time for any reason
whatsoever and NGC shall not be liable for any direct or indirect consequences related thereto. Any
action taken, opinions formed or conclusions drawn or inferred on the basis of the information
herein, shall be taken, formed or drawn at the sole risk of the receiving party.
 

WITHOUT PREJUDICE
2
SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMER
SWITCHING OF THE METER RUNS AT THE UNION
INDUSTRIAL ESTATE (UIEGRF).
 PURPOSE of switching Meter run at UIEGRF

• This is critical to ensure an uninterruptible gas supply to NGC’s large consumers TGU
and CGCL and small consumers at the LABIDCO estate.

• Reasons for switching the meter runs can be based on factors such as: Calibration,
Malfunction of controller, plant startup.

4 WITHOUT PREJUDICE
SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMER
 OPERATING PARAMETERS
1. Only one (1) meter run is ACTIVE while the other meter runs are kept on standby.
2. The 6” Meter run has a maximum flow capacity of 35 mmscfd.
3. The 16” Meter Runs, each have a maximum flow capacity of 225 mmscfd.
4. ALL GOV’s must remain in the OPEN position to prevent liquid accumulation in the orifice chambers.
5. Meter Run Alarms:
o LOW – 380 psi
o HIGH – 450 psi
o HIGH HIGH – 480 psi

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 OPERATING PARAMETERS

Normal Operating Parameters

6 WITHOUT PREJUDICE
SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMER
 Procedure steps for switching Meter run at UIEGRF
• Use HMI (team leader), to identify the active and inactive meter runs. Observe and record the flow rate and outlet pressure.

• Verify that the HV downstream the PV on the inactive run is OPEN (technician).

• Verify GOV on the inactive run is OPEN (technician).

• Verify sensing line to the inactive run OPPV is open(technician).

• Use the HMI (team leader) to select Pressure Indicating Controller (PIC) of the inactive run to be put IN SERVICE
(refer to slide 11) and adjust set point of the controller from 390 to 400 psi.

• Wait for the PV to respond to the set point change that was made while monitoring outlet pressure and flow rate on HMI
(team leader).
 
 
 

7
 CONTINUED PROCEDURE STEPS
• Select the PIC on the IN SERVICE run to be made INACTIVE, adjust the set point in increments,
gradually decreasing it from 400 to 390 psi (team leader).

• Monitor the PVs on both meter runs, ensuring that as the PV on the meter run being taken out of service
closes, while the PV on the run going active opens (team leader and technician).

• Ensure that there is NO flow passing through the run that was made inactive and the PV for inactive run is
CLOSE (Team leader and technician).

• Monitor and record ALL meter run parameters ensuring the Flowrate has stabilized, PVs are in AUTO
mode and the downstream pressure set point is being maintained (team leader).

• Compare the flowrate before Meter Run switch to the flowrate after and notify CT&S personnel of any
significant differences (Team leader and techncians).
 

8 WITHOUT PREJUDICE
SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMER
 CONTINUED PROCEDURE STEPS
• All related activities should be captured on the handover log including date, time, persons involved and
department (Team Leader).

9 WITHOUT PREJUDICE
SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMER
HMI VIEW OF METER RUN at UIEGRF
HMI VIEW OF METER RUN at UIEGRF
CGCL SWITCHING OF METER RUN

SWITCHING OF THE METER RUNS AT THE

CARIBBEAN GAS CHEMICALS LIMITED (CGCL)
CARIBBEAN GAS CHEMICAL LTD (CGCL).
SWITCHING AND ISOLATION OF METER RUNS
PURPOSE

This is to ensure the switching and isolation of the meter

runs at CGCL is done safely and effectively, resulting in
no impact to the facility operations. Switching is mostly
required between the 6-inch and 12-inch meter runs
which is determined by CGCL’s Gas flowrate.
 INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW

 
The Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd (CGCL), plant receives natural gas from UIEGRF via the
NGC CGCL gas metering facility located on their compound. The NGC CGCL metering
facility consists of an Inlet valve, Inlet separator, Storage tank, three 12-inch meter runs
(FX 0550, FX 0551 & FX 0552) and one 6-inch meter run (FX 0553). The 12-inch meter
runs are designed for a maximum flowrate of 40 mmscfd and the 6-inch meter run is
designed for a maximum flowrate of 10 mmscfd.
 PRELIMINARY CHECKS
 Before conducting any isolation or switching of the meter runs at CGCL, the
following should be verified:
 
 There are no abnormalities at the CGCL metering station
 CGCL & NGC Main Control Room are informed prior to any switching or
isolation.
 PROCEDURE STEPS FOR SWITCHING AT CGCL

NB: The 6-inch meter can flow at a maximum of 10 mmscfd. Switching is required for
measurement accuracy between the 6-inch and 12-inch meter for a flowrate more than 10
mmscfd and if the flow exceeds 10 mmscfd it must be routed via the 12-inch meter. Each
12-inch meter can accommodate a maximum flowrate of 40 mmscfd. The 6-inch meter
must be isolated when the flow is above 10 mmscfd.

NORMAL OPERATIONING PARAMETERS FOR CGCL

 
CGCL normal operations requires all three 12-meter runs (FX 0550, 0551 and
0552) to be in service and the 6-inch meter (FX 0553) isolated. CGCL average flow rate
is approximately 100 mmscfd.
CONTINUED PROCEDURE STEPS SWITCHING AT CGCL

The following steps for switching meter runs from 12 inch to 6 inch include:

Step 1: FX 93-0553; Open upstream valve BV-0009 and then downstream valve BV-

0010 on the 6-inch meter run.

Step 2: FX 93-0550, 0551 & 0552; Close down stream valves BV-0004, BV-0006 and
BV-0008 respectively.

Step 3: FX 93-0550, 0551&0552; Close upstream valves BV-0003, BV-0005 and

BV-0007 respectively.
CONTINUED PROCEDURE STEPS SWITCHING AT CGCL

The following steps for switching meter runs from 6 inch to 12 inch include:

Step 1: FX 93-0550,0551&0552; Open upstream valves BV-0003, BV-0005 and BV-0007 on the 12-inch
runs respectively.

Step 2: FX 93-0550,0551&0552; Open downstream valves BV-0004, BV-0006 and BV-0008 on the 12-inch
runs respectively.

Step 3: FX 93-0553; Close downstream valve BV-0010 and then BV-0009 on the 6-inch meter run.

NB: On restart of CGCL plant NGC Operation technicians should coordinate with CGCL operations. NGC
personnel should re-open the 12” meter runs based on the required ramp up volumes, noting a max. of 40
mmscfd per 12” meter run.
CONTINUED PROCEDURE STEPS SWITCHING AT CGCL

NB:
• If the flow rate is higher than 10 mmscfd but less than 40 mmscfd then one of the 12-inch meter runs is
placed in service.
• If flow is between 40-80 mmscfd then two of the 12” meter runs are placed in service.
• If the flow is between 80-100 mmscfd then all three 12” meter runs are placed in service.

This is done in stages to maintain volume accuracy and avoid excessive flow on any of the meter runs.
P&ID for CGCL METER RUNS
END OF PRESENTATION