Gas Industry Facilities Research Articles

Biogeochemical cycles in tundra ecosystems in areas impacted by gas industry facilities

Data acquired by monitoring modern biogeochemical cycles in tundra ecosystems in zones impacted by facilities of the gas industry indicate the absence of any perceptible changes in the system surface water–bottom sediments–soil–plants and show that the emitted nitrogen oxides beneficially affect productivity of the lichens and the functioning of the tundra ecosystem as a whole.

Remediation of MTBE-contaminated groundwater by integrated circulation wells and advanced oxidation technologies

Abstract The proximity of shallow groundwater systems to sources of contamination usually exposes them to severe environmental threats. Hazardous pollutants that leak from gas stations, landfills, and industrial facilities may eventually reach the underneath shallow groundwater aquifers, posing risks to human health and the environment. Cleaning contaminated groundwater sources has always been a challenge to the local authorities. This is even more challenging when dealing with difficult pollutants such as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) due its high solubility in water, poor biodegradability, and poor adsorption onto solids. This study aims to assess the efficiency of a pilot groundwater remediation system to treat a shallow aquifer contaminated with MTBE. The in-house designed and fabricated pilot system combines the technology of circulation wells and UV-based advanced oxidation technology for the breakdown and removal of MTBE from water. An ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) process was used in this study to remove MTBE from water. The concentration of MTBE was reduced from approximately 1,400 μg/L to as low as 34 μg/L within 30 minutes, with a treatment efficiency of about 98%. The study also assesses the effects of the UV intensity and the treatment time needed to remove the target pollutant.

Confined explosions: The effect of compartment geometry

The detonation of explosives inside closed spaces, such as industrial facilities or naval vessels, is a very complex phenomenon mainly characterised by an enhancement of internal overpressures and wave reflexions. However, the phenomenon is relevant to the analysis of the effect of accidental or intentional explosions. Examples include, for example, oil and gas industrial facilities, where pressure waves may be generated from accidental explosions. The resulting damage will be affected by the shape and dimension of the compartment and its degree of venting plus the position and weight of the charge. The vulnerability of small buildings, vessels, trains or airplanes remain to be better understood particularly where the safety of passengers and operators is involved. Since the published experimental data on confined explosions is scarce, a numerical model is created to perform a parametric analysis that can provide engineers with guidance for the analysis of the destructive effects of detonations in small compartments in transportation systems or explosions in confined industrial spaces. A thorough validation process of the numerical model, based on published experimental data is described. Known empirical relations are compared with the results obtained and new methods to estimate the peak pressure in the compartment are proposed. Qualitative guidance has also been derived as a starting point to assist designers to think of solutions that enhance safety inside vehicles or buildings in the event of intentional or accidental detonations and explosions.

Search of critically important objects of the gas industry with the method of determining critical elements in networks of technical infrastructures

The paper shows the application of the method of determining critical elements in the networks of technical infrastructures in the search and analysis of the importance of critical gas industry facilities. The purpose of this method is to search for critical elements and sets of elements in network infrastructures and their ranking by importance. The paper presents an adaptation of the method for determining critical elements in networks of technical infrastructures for the model of gas supply system functioning, which consists in describing the response of the gas supply system to the failure of a single element or a group of them. Conclusions are made about the expediency of using this method in research into the search for critical gas industry objects and determining their significance.

Probabilistic Criterion of Fire Safety of Oil and Gas Industry Facilities Exposed to Effect of Forest Fires

The probabilistic criterion of assessment of fi re safety of oil and gas industrial facilities exposed to the infl uence of active forest fi res in the adjoining area is examined. Various scenarios of thermal effect of forest fi res on constructional materials of industrial facilities are described. The function of the criterion is demonstrated using a simplifi ed deterministic thermophysical constructional material ignition model. The results of model calculations of the probability of occurrence of fi re at industrial facilities are reported.

English

Often students of the petroleum engineering programs at the early stage of their studies in institutions of developing countries do not have easy access to the oil and gas industry facilities. Multinational petroleum companies come in with the state-of-the-arts technology, with expatriates who work and leave without technology transfer. Laboratory equipment is very costly to developing institutions of petroleum studies in developing nation. As such, different hands-on models have been developed to simulate different processes of the oil and gas industry in the laboratory. This model captioned “Golden Horse Head” Sucker Rod Pumping model is one of such hands-on models that has been constructed and successfully tested. This model is 88 cm in length, 52 cm wide and 56.5 cm high. It was made using very basic local materials to represent the actual field components, for the purpose of better understanding of how such systems operate. The materials are very affordable and less costly. The overall cost of the model is about 75,000FRS CFA, that is, about US$150.0. This low cost of construction makes the model very affordable to developing institutions of petroleum studies. In this model, there was a reduction from the prime mover speed of 2000 rpm to the pumping speed of 38 rpm, giving a reduction ratio of 52.6:1. It has been tested with a multiphase fluid (water and oil (diesel) simulating crude oil) model, during which 75.4% oil and 97.7% of water were produced.  Its functioning accurately simulates that of a practical oil field sucker rod pumping facility.   Key words: Developing countries, oil well, model, low-cost, Sucker-rod, pump unit.

Estimation of regional air-quality damages from Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania

This letter provides a first-order estimate of conventional air pollutant emissions, and the monetary value of the associated environmental and health damages, from the extraction of unconventional shale gas in Pennsylvania. Region-wide estimated damages ranged from $7.2 to $32 million dollars for 2011. The emissions from Pennsylvania shale gas extraction represented only a few per cent of total statewide emissions, and the resulting statewide damages were less than those estimated for each of the state’s largest coal-based power plants. On the other hand, in counties where activities are concentrated, NOx emissions from all shale gas activities were 20–40 times higher than allowable for a single minor source, despite the fact that individual new gas industry facilities generally fall below the major source threshold for NOx. Most emissions are related to ongoing activities, i.e., gas production and compression, which can be expected to persist beyond initial development and which are largely unrelated to the unconventional nature of the resource. Regulatory agencies and the shale gas industry, in developing regulations and best practices, should consider air emissions from these long-term activities, especially if development occurs in more populated areas of the state where per-ton emissions damages are significantly higher.

Obsolescence of Aging Electrical Equipment: Management Program in Oil and Gas Industrial Facilities

This article presents the lessons learned and challenges during the development and implementation of an electrical equipment obsolescence management program at a large oil and gas company. A methodology was developed to identify obsolete equipment by a rational application of obsolescence criteria and ranking mechanisms. Major investments in replacing aging electrical equipment is required for operational continuity and reliability, continued viability, and cost effectiveness of the existing company's assets. The key strategies for successful strategic planning with capital investment in the existing facilities are outlined. The obsolescence management program helps to minimize capital expenditures by using cost-effective alternatives that will extend the economic life of electrical equipment, while maintaining the required operational safety and availability.

СТРАТЕГИЯ РАЗВИТИЯ ФОНТАННОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ ПРИ СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВЕ И ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИИ ГАЗОВЫХ СКВАЖИН

Considered is the strategy of blowout safety during oil and gas well construction, maintenance and workover. Referring to experience of Gazobesopasnost OOO entering Gazprom OAO, tasks of ensuring oil and gas industry facilities are set and directions of their implementation are worked out.

Phylogenetic characterization of a corrosive consortium isolated from a sour gas pipeline.

Biocorrosion is a common problem in oil and gas industry facilities. Characterization of the microbial populations responsible for biocorrosion and the interactions between different microorganisms with metallic surfaces is required in order to implement efficient monitoring and control strategies. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis was used to separate PCR products and sequence analysis revealed the bacterial composition of a consortium obtained from a sour gas pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. Only one species of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was detected in this consortium. The rest of the population consisted of enteric bacteria with different characteristics and metabolic capabilities potentially related to biocorrosion. Therefore, several types of bacteria may be involved in biocorrosion arising from natural biofilms that develop in industrial facilities. The low abundance of the detected SRB was evidenced by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). In addition, the localized corrosion of pipeline steel in the presence of the consortium was clearly observed by ESEM after removing the adhered bacteria.