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Technology
Simulation modelling to optimise
oil & gas facilities Nawaf A. Awad, TPL specialist, Technical Systems Team – Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) CITG, discusses the use of an integrated process simulation model to find bottlenecks in one of the company’s gathering centres, and validate changes required for debottlenecking. HE TECHNICAL SYSTEMS team headed by team leader Dr. Noha Najem, part of KOC Corporate Information Technology Group, took the opportunity in coordination with Schneider Electric Middle East (AVEVA) to adopt modern innovative technologies that bring value to the business across the entire production cycle. The successful implementation of Management Information System for West Kuwait (MISK) includes a Process Optimisation Module designed to perform process optimisation/’what if’ analysis for specific process areas modelled in the simulation application. One can import live plant data, reconcile plant cases in the model and do the analysis. The output of the ‘what if’ analysis is stored as a report and can be accessed by different users. The Process Optimisation Module has rigorous and high-fidelity dynamic process simulation models for facilities, which helps process engineers to optimise the plant, which in turn leads to overall improvement in the facilities. Mathematical models are based on first principles and will generate the data and variables required for output to external
Image Credit : KOC
T
Image Credit : KOC
Figure 1: Gathering Centre block diagram.
Nawaf A. Awad, Technical Systems Team, KOC CITG.
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devices or needed by other simulation systems. Sound physical principles were used in modelling the various plant equipment such as columns, vessels, tanks and their associated components such as compressors, heat exchangers, pumps, and valves. The KOC Process team wanted to validate whether it is possible to process 40 per cent more effluent water system in the gathering centre by making minimal modifications in the existing facility’s design, or whether large scale modification is required. The result may help to decide whether partial shutdown is enough, or whether turnaround of the facility is required. A study was performed to find bottlenecks in the gathering centre to increase effluent water rate by 40 per cent, keeping the crude rate as constant. AVEVA DYNSIM, a state-ofthe-art, field-proven dynamic process simulation programme was used to develop process simulation models. The existing model was modified to match current plant
The Process Optimisation Module has rigorous and high-fidelity dynamic process simulation models for facilities.” configuration and operation conditions. Data for all the equipment including valves and pipes, along with key isometrics, were validated and ensured that they have been incorporated correctly. Wherever data was not available, it was incorporated based on engineering calculations.
Study performed Crude flow to facility was maintained constant and water flow was gradually increased by 40
