Gazovaya promyshlennost’ № 01 2022

Exploitation of the Cenomanian pool at the Urengoy oil, gas and condensate field (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug) is coming to its closing phase, which is marked by low reservoir pressure, increased gas-moisture content, and low operating rate of treatment and compression. In cooperation with some industry institutions, Gazprom dobycha Urengoy LLC has developed a concept for enhancing the boosting compressor station and gas treatment process with capacities centralized in the main plants and stepwise decommissioning of redundant process equipment at the satellite fields. Using process modeling tools, some issues were found in quality assurance of the commercial product in gas treatment by two-stage dehydration at the satellite and main fields in summer period. The article provides the results of theoretical and experimental studies on improving the efficiency of glycol dehydration units in operation. To reduce the capital expenditure for revamping and retrofitting the existing equipment, we proposed to increase the mass percentage of diethylene glycol by feeding stripping gas (nitrogen) to the regeneration unit’s flash drum. Also, internal distribution piping is developed and fabricated for this purpose. Using the process model, we determined the optimal operating parameters of the regeneration unit with nitrogen fed to the annulus and liquid section of the flash drum. The parameters were further verified by field tests. The mass percentage of diethylene glycol in the lean agent increased from 99.01 to 99.64, and the water dew point temperature of the dehydrated gas reduced to 2.9 °С. This value is obtained experimentally; the calculation is expected to show greater decline. The field tests are planned to be continued. The developed technical solutions are included in the technical assignment for the field facilities of the Cenomanian complex.

The purpose of the study presented in the article is to determine the possibility of carbon dioxide corrosion behavior at CO₂ partial pressure of more than 0.2 MPa in wells equipped with carbon steel liners that are not resistant to this type of corrosion. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: building of phase diagrams of water for various compositions of well products that change during a field development along with reservoir pressure; determining of the water phase state at the current time and in the future 20 years for the conditions of the bottomhole and the well head; making of recommendations for anti-corrosion protection and corrosion monitoring of the wells under investigation.
In the course of these problems solution, a method was developed and subsequently applied to assess the possibility of carbon dioxide corrosion behavior, based on modeling the phase state of water at various component-fractional compositions of the produced fluid, changing as the field is being developed.
The method application helped to reveal that the carbon steel liners in the studied wells were in the anti-corrosive operation area, that is, the water in this area is presented in the form of steam. This fact makes it impossible for carbon dioxide corrosion to occur.
It was determined that prospects for the next 20 years of operation promise no requirements for the development and implementation of anti-corrosion measures of the underground equipment of the wells under study. Recommendations for the periodic modeling of the water phase state are made, taking into account the updated development indicators. If operating modes, associated with water condensation in the liner area, are identified, diagnostics of the liners technical state will be required.

The study aims to find and analyze the existing ways for commercial hydrogen production from water and hydrocarbons with their subsequent simulation to compare the results in terms of various process indicators. We identified the existing water electrolysis methods used to produce the most environmentally clean hydrogen. They are alkaline water electrolysis, solid oxide electrolysis, microbial electrolysis cells, and proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. We determined the specific features of the processes above and compared two of them (alkaline and proton exchange membrane water electrolysis) by various process indicators. It was found that solid oxide electrolysis and microbial electrolysis cells are not currently used at the production scale. For now, these technologies are only at the efficiency improvement stage. Additionally, the prospective production processes were simulated in Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus software packages for hydrogen of various environmental labels based on the existing commercial units and laboratory data obtained. They are steam methane reforming, methane pyrolysis, and water electrolysis, where the sources of energy obtained are renewables (for green hydrogen) and nuclear energy (for yellow hydrogen). The simulation results were used to compare the processes above regarding energy efficiency indicators of hydrogen production technologies used, carbon monoxide and dioxide emissions to the environment, cleanliness of the product, feedstock conversion rate, and other process indicators.

The implementation of underwater wet welding of high-strength steels is complicated by crack and gas pore formation, slag inclusions, and hydrogen embrittlement. The study aimed to test the underwater wet welding technology for X70 bainitic pipe steel in main gas pipelines using coated electrodes and flux-cored self-shielding wires. A domestic technology is developed, along with the equipment and welding materials for semi-automatic and automatic underwater wet welding and surfacing, for main gas pipelining and quick repair of the pipelines and offshore structures at high embedment depths. The technology allowed to achieve high quality and mechanical properties of welded joints according to the requirements of AWS D3.6M:2017. The mechanical testing showed that joints welded with a PPS-APL2 flux-cored wire and an E7014 UW/CS-1 coated electrode are similar in impact toughness, plasticity, and hardness. The enhanced density and mechanical properties were achieved by the activity of flux-cored wires, weld alloying, and reducing the hydrogen diffusion. The mechanical properties and non-destructive test results for welded joints of X70 bainitic pipe steel specimens met the regulatory requirements. These results allow recommending the developed system and the technology for implementation into the petroleum industry for repairing pipelines crossing water obstructions, such as rivers, lakes, up to 60 m in depth. The technology and equipment can be optimized for quick repair of subsea pipelines at great depths. The further development of underwater technologies involving welding, cutting, and non-destructive testing requires developing state standards and updating industry ones for certification of welders, technologies, equipment, and materials.

The article presents an innovative approach to risk ranking based on the pairwise comparison method that lies in sequential pairwise comparing of expert-evaluated objects by specific criteria and their subsequent ranking. Risk owners and risk coordinators use this approach successfully at PJSC Gazprom and Gazprom Group organizations to determine priority risks for management and make decisions on response measures under limited resources. The article comprises two parts. The first one provides a general description of the risk ranking approach based on the pairwise comparison method. The second part considers the results of its practical application for ranking the risks associated with sustainable development in the petroleum industry company. It is noted that the use of the pairwise comparison method is feasible for ranking the risks of petroleum industry companies in projects related to sustainable development.

The article presents the results of experimental studies carried out to determine the heat-protective properties of a set of special clothing for the employees engaged in oil and gas industry, who work at hazardous production facilities in conditions of low temperatures in an open area and are subjected to the risk of a possible emergency ignition of produced hydrocarbons. Based on a quantitative assessment of the thermal state of the testers, dressed in the investigated set of special clothing, we, using a special microclimatic chamber, determined the required amount of thermal insulation required to maintain the thermal balance of the human body. In accordance with the methodological recommendations approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (letter No. 11-0/279-09 dated 25 October 2001), the permissible duration of a person’s continuous stay in a cooling microclimate in an open area, depending on the air temperature, wind speed and the severity of the performed work was calculated. The investigated set of special clothing is made of heat-resistant Nomex® fabric2 with fire-resistant properties to protect a worker from high temperatures in case of a short-term exposure to open fire, low temperatures in an open area during the cold season, mechanical impact (abrasion) and general industrial pollution. An analysis of the exclusive results of experimental studies allowed making a conclusion on the advisability of using special clothing made of Nomex® fabric by oil and gas workers in conditions of IV (region IB) and special (region IA) climatic zones.

The article presents the cause investigation results for defect formation in welded joints, particularly at site facilities. A set of activities is proposed to reduce the probability of defect formation at similar facilities. All the work stages are specified and considered in detail: probable causes of defect formation are analyzed from both technical and management perspectives; corrective action options are considered; examples are given for base materials not compliant with mechanical properties declared in the certificates and adverse results of their actual use; the optimal procedure is described for a permit for welding and base material application on a construction site. These techniques and suggestions on control activities arrangement will reduce the equipment failure percentage, particularly accelerate construction and commissioning and ensure uninterrupted operation at the most troublesome initial stage. The paper considers the ways to minimize the rejection and specific features of various-grade base material selection and application for steelwork fabrication and site facilities’ process equipment.

The climate agenda has determined the low-carbon development trend of the world economy. Countries are setting ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in the long term (by 2040, 2050, and 2060). The pressure on the energy sector as per this issue is increasing. In this context, the analysis of large energy companies’ strategies and the most effective measures and projects identification that can provide a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the sustainable development of a company acquire particular relevance. The current article presents the results of the analysis of the world’s leading energy corporations. The analyzed parameters include official strategies and statements; emission reduction targets; baseline scenarios and forecasts; measures and activities taken to adapt to the low-carbon trend. Companies recognize both the importance of the climate agenda and the special role of the energy sector in reducing the anthropogenic impact on the climate change. By the end of 2021, most of the largest representatives of the sector say they are adapting to the changing environment. Corporate strategies are based on moderate energy development scenarios, the main characteristic of which is the continued demand for hydrocarbons in future until 2030–2040. The main adaptation mechanisms used include programs for energy efficiency and energy saving, reduction of associated petroleum gas flaring, leaks, losses and direct emissions of methane, modernization of technological processes and equipment as well as the development of new trends within the framework of R&D work, such as hydrogen, non-energy use of hydrocarbons, and energy storage technologies. Companies have identified approaches to emissions reduction in the first and second coverage areas. The next step will focus on technologies for carbon footprint management under the third coverage. The analysis of target corporate trajectories shows that the main reduction measures are planned for the period after 2030–2035, that is, outside the current economic and technological conditions.

Due to the reduction of the world resource base as well as the production of a large amount of hard-to-process artificial substances, the contemporary science is facing the problem of developing technologies that would provide the civilization with everything required and at the same time would have a minimum impact on the environment. Today, the humanity has come to understand that only the use of technologies close to natural ones will allow stabilization of the ecological situation and embark on the path of sustainable development. The most beneficial from the point of view of using resources and energy as well as the environmental friendliness, is the use of nature-like technologies. These developments are based on the processes taking place in natural ecosystems. They make it possible to obtain the desired product or effect at minimal cost, while maintaining natural balance. Such technologies application in production activities and when using natural resources will significantly increase the efficiency factor of environmental protection measures and, at the same time, reduce the impact on the environment. The article overviews the existing nature-like technologies developed by oil and gas companies in cooperation with industry research organizations. Examples of measures in view of their implementation at enterprises are given, including those that provide solving strategic tasks of the fuel and energy complex as a whole.