Using Existing Gas Pipeline: Converting 1,400 pneumatics from wellhead gas to nitrogen in 4 wks

Customer:  

Rockies-based E&P operator, Colorado

Facility Type:  

Existing Gas Injection Pipeline feeding 400+ wells

Challenge:

Convert all pneumatics from wellhead gas to nitrogen through the use of a 5-mile existing gas pipeline

An E&P operator in the Rockies had an existing gas injection pipeline that was no longer in use for the wells, but the pipeline was still under approximately 60 psi of pressure indicating that the integrity of the line was intact. This pipeline fed an area of approximately 5 miles and over 400 wells on multiple pads.

The operator had previously investigated the possibility of utilizing the piping network to install a centralized instrument air compressor to provide instrument gas for the pneumatics. After engineering analysis, it was determined there was too much risk of moisture building in this long network of buried pipe which could cause 'freeze ups' during cold temperatures and costs associated with heating the lines in case of issues would be prohibitive.

Project:

The operator approached Kathairos about locating multiple large nitrogen tanks in a centralized location to feed all the pneumatics at these 400 wells.

In cooperation with the operator, Kathairos designed a system and delivered three (3) x 5500L tanks operating in parallel to feed the well site network, and got it up and running in three weeks.

Request the whitepaper to learn how the solution was collaboratively modelled, and how the nitrogen tanks have performed flawlessly in tandem ever since.

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