Unenclosed Gas Plants for Colder Climates

Abstract

Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any discussion should be sent to the Society of Petroleum Engineers office. Such discussions may be presented at the above meeting and, with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines. Abstract Construction of unenclosed gas processing plants is suitable for cold processing plants is suitable for cold weather operation provided appropriate winterizing procedures are followed. The result should be a safer operating plant with less investment. plant with less investment Introduction Hudson's Bay Oil and Gas Company Limited is a producing company employing 875 people. It was formed through an agreement between what is now Continental oil Company in the United States and the Hudson's Bay Company Limited. The Hudson's Bay Company was incorporated in 1670 under a charter given by King Charles II. It is the oldest company in existence in North America. Hudson's Bay Oil and Gas operates seven sour gas plants and one sweet gas plant in Alberta. These vary in size plant in Alberta. These vary in size up to our largest, the Kaybob South Gas Processing Plant which is designed to Processing Plant which is designed to produce 2080 long tons of sulphur, produce 2080 long tons of sulphur, 25,000 bbls. of condensate and 6,800 bbls. of LPG per day. This plant is located on 54.5 degrees North Latitude and is subject to severe winter conditions. It is this plant and our Edson Gas Plant, about 60 plant and our Edson Gas Plant, about 60 miles south of the Kaybob South Plant, which will be discussed in this paper. Discussion Winter temperatures in North Central Alberta will drop to 60 degrees F below zero on occasion. Minimums of 40 degrees F below are expected. Unless proper design precautions are taken, temperatures at this precautions are taken, temperatures at this level can make a plant inoperable. One of the first decisions to be made in plant design is the extent of housing for the plant. The plants being considered in this paper are basically unhoused. only process pumps containing water, compressors, firing ends of boilers and other small equipment containing water are housed. One major reason for this decision is safety. The gas we handle contains up to 17% hydrogen sulphide, which is extremely poisonous. poisonous.