Flared Gas Emission Control from an Oil Production Platform

Abstract

In Samarang oil platform of Repsol (Talisman) Malaysia Limited, there is a need to increase its current oil production that would result in an increase of the associated/excess gas from 21 mmscfd to 31 mmscfd. The current low-pressure gas system on the platform is designed to accommodate up to 21 mmscfd of gas. The excess produced gas of 10 mmscfd, if not re-injected back into the reservoir, shall need to be flared on a daily basis in order to maximise the oil production rate. This gas flaring expends large amounts of energy and causes environmental degradation and potential health risk. There are four practical cases being considered in this unprecedented effort to control the flared gas and its resulting emissions from the industrially practical standpoint. Three cases use the existing compressor and varying compressor suction pressure between 5 barg and 6 barg with total compressors power is limited up to 2280 kW. The flared gas emission for these cases ranges from 7 mmscfd to 1 mmscfd, which is lower than the expected flowrate of 10 mmscfd. In the case where a new compressor is installed, a zero flared rate is achieved.