Circular Economy Initiatives at Upstream Surface Facilities

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this paper to showcase the feasibility of a Circular Economy (CE) initiative for upstream surface facilities to recover, reduce, and reuse the wasted energy across different plant equipment, including throttling valves. Several energy recovery and energy conservation technologies and processes were identified to minimize energy consumption in Tanajib plant. The optimum technology options were selected to minimize the modifications of the existing facilities, while maintaining the flexibility to meet the future production forecast. The study was conducted using the following methodology: Conduct comprehensive energy assessment of all high potential oil, gas, and water streams to recover its wasted energy.Create several process designs/layouts that will incorporate these technologies and enable meeting the required specs at the surface facility.Conduct technical evaluation and lifecycle cost study, to compare different alternatives to meet the objective. The comprehensive assessment revealed that there are three economically feasible projects out of 10 evaluated business cases to harness wasted energy at Tanajib plants. Hydraulic Power Recovery Turbine (HPRT) technologies were found to be one of the most promising technologies to harness the wasted energy with minimum modifications. HPRT is a Reverse Pump that will harness the wasted pressure drop across the liquid control/throttling valves and convert it into useful power. The 500 MBCD Tanajib plant was used as proof of concept. Recovering and utilizing the wasted energy will promote circular economy, minimize the imported power from the national grid and minimize CO2 emissions, while extending the equipment lifetime.