TY - JOUR
T1 - Modelling and optimization of an existing onshore gas gathering network using PIPESIM
AU - Ahmed, Iftikhar
AU - Prana Iswara, Aditya
AU - Abbas, Shahbaz
AU - Qaisar Jamal, Faheem
AU - Ahmad, Iftikhar
AU - Hussain Shah, Syed Tasweer
AU - Naseem, Afshan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
PY - 2024/8/15
Y1 - 2024/8/15
N2 - Pakistan has limited natural gas reserves, and most are found onshore. This article reports on the problems of an onshore gas gathering network (GGN) analysed through steady-state simulation modelling using PIPESIM software. The research methodology incorporates a comprehensive steady-state hydraulic analysis considering fluid flowing velocity limitations, liquid holdup and slugging along with other issues faced by gas gathering networks. The steady-state hydraulic analysis has led us to pinpoint specific GGN pipelines facing critically low gas velocities and consequent liquid holdup. Addressing these issues involved application of PIPESIM software for modelling, considering various operating schemes of gas-producing wells and their associated pipelines. To select an optimal operating scheme, the study utilized the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for operational optimization, to identify the most effective solution for reduced liquid holdup, improving production, and ensuring the safe operation among available alternatives. Findings from our hydraulic analysis highlight the importance of reducing GGN outlet pressure to mitigate challenges associated with liquid holdup which causes slugging and back pressure effect at source leading to low production and poor performance of the GGN. Study of three alternative cases reveals that decreasing outlet pressure lowers the liquid holdup, improve gas flowing velocities, and enhanced overall production. These findings validate our hypothesis that reducing GGN outlet pressure is a viable strategy to lower the liquid holdup in pipelines. This research offers significant value by providing a comprehensive solution to GGN liquid holdup, low flowing velocities, back pressure and low production challenges. The integration of steady-state hydraulic analysis, simulation modelling with PIPESIM, and the application of AHP for optimization contributes novel insights into the optimization of operation of gas gathering networks. Emphasizing the reduction of liquid holdup and enhancing production through outlet pressure adjustments offers a practical framework for optimizing the functionality of gas gathering networks.
AB - Pakistan has limited natural gas reserves, and most are found onshore. This article reports on the problems of an onshore gas gathering network (GGN) analysed through steady-state simulation modelling using PIPESIM software. The research methodology incorporates a comprehensive steady-state hydraulic analysis considering fluid flowing velocity limitations, liquid holdup and slugging along with other issues faced by gas gathering networks. The steady-state hydraulic analysis has led us to pinpoint specific GGN pipelines facing critically low gas velocities and consequent liquid holdup. Addressing these issues involved application of PIPESIM software for modelling, considering various operating schemes of gas-producing wells and their associated pipelines. To select an optimal operating scheme, the study utilized the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for operational optimization, to identify the most effective solution for reduced liquid holdup, improving production, and ensuring the safe operation among available alternatives. Findings from our hydraulic analysis highlight the importance of reducing GGN outlet pressure to mitigate challenges associated with liquid holdup which causes slugging and back pressure effect at source leading to low production and poor performance of the GGN. Study of three alternative cases reveals that decreasing outlet pressure lowers the liquid holdup, improve gas flowing velocities, and enhanced overall production. These findings validate our hypothesis that reducing GGN outlet pressure is a viable strategy to lower the liquid holdup in pipelines. This research offers significant value by providing a comprehensive solution to GGN liquid holdup, low flowing velocities, back pressure and low production challenges. The integration of steady-state hydraulic analysis, simulation modelling with PIPESIM, and the application of AHP for optimization contributes novel insights into the optimization of operation of gas gathering networks. Emphasizing the reduction of liquid holdup and enhancing production through outlet pressure adjustments offers a practical framework for optimizing the functionality of gas gathering networks.
KW - Gas gathering network
KW - Gas gathering network optimization
KW - Liquid hold-up
KW - PIPESIM and AHP
KW - Pipeline sizing
KW - Steady state analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199349937&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35006
DO - 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85199349937
SN - 2405-8440
VL - 10
JO - Heliyon
JF - Heliyon
IS - 15
M1 - e35006
ER -