1. 2015: Morethan a year ago I was invited to join an off shorede-complexing team
as a Rotating Specialist (Oil-gas and Power). Goalof the project is to cut on OPEX
and CAPEX off shore. All complex gas treatments on platformmust be converted
to simply wet gas operations. Gas engines and gas generators mustbe able to run
on wet gas. In the meantime several equipment has been assed and selected,
frombooster and condensate loading pumps, to natural gas generators, for
power supply on the platforms. Platforms mustbe converted fromfully manned
operation to Normally Unmanned Installation (NUI). Phaseoneis almost finalized.
All kinds of natural gas and BTEX emissions offshoresolved.
After 15 yrs of compressor vibration problems and more than 15 attempts by
OEM, problems solvedwithin3 months .Frominitial startup this compressor
suffered fromheavy vibrations. Equipment: a seven stage centrifugal compressor
for natural gas industry (off shore)/Driver: LM1600 gas turbine/Operating speed:
10600 RPM/Maximumcontinuous speed: 12000 RPM/Trip speed: 12600 RPM
Findings: engineers did not follow the right sequence and procedures to solvethis
vibration problem. Fail to discuss findings during this repair process with OEM
specialists and not following the right sequence led to morethan 15 attempts
without solving the problem. No doubt these millions of euros could havebeen
saved. How could these millions been saved: I am willing to explain my personal
findings to managers interested. Engineers who recognizethis case might feel
uncomfortable, which is not my intention. My personaldrive and duty: find a
professionalsolution for the problemwith at least 95%+performanceat firstgo,
what is the best fit for the duty and how do we keep OPEX and CAPEX as low as
possible.
2014:Assessed and selected several equipment e.g. diaphragm pumps for natural
condensateservice:
For many years condensatepumps caused leakage problems (BTEX: bezene,
toluene, xylene) on off shoreplatforms. Challenge here was of courselow density
of natural gas condensateand low head.

2. BTEX leakages solvedwithin3 months:After many years of BTEX leakage
problems, environments issues and thousands of engineering hours, costs and
attempts to solvethese problems, BTEX leakage problems were solved within 3
months.
Assess andselect off gas engine running on wet gas, remote controlled, at least
2500 maintenance free running hours and comply withBEMS NOx legislations:
Equipment: Natural gas engine running on wet gas for off shoreuse/Remote
control/2500 maintenancefree running hours (no intermediate oil filling, coolant
filling, valve adjustmentor spark plug replacement)/No urea or ammonia allowed
for e.g. SCR systemoff shore/Use3 way catalystsystem(Lambda=1 engine
required)/If fleet consistof lean burn engines, bring engines back to Lambda=1
engines with air fuel ratio controller. Useoxygen sensor and 3 way catalyst
systemto comply with BEMS. Rich burn natural gas engines was selected
complete with 3 way catalyst systemand comply with BEMS. Quotations of
vendor show millions of euros to make rich burn engines if lean burn and solve
NOx problems. With only a few thousand euros problems can be solved to comply
with BEMS. Engine was selectedsuccessfully: gas generator complete with
catalyst, no urea, no ammonia, at least 2500 maintenancefree running hours and
meet BEMS requirements 340 mg/Nm3 @ 3% O2.
Findings: engineers were not fully equipped to challenge vendors on methane
combustion, type of engines rich burn or lean burn, air fuel ratio controllers,
oxygen sensors, BEMS requirements and fuel valves but go for a trial and error
approach. This approach is the quickest way to increase your OPEX and CAPEX.
Timing of implementation also saves a lot of money. Why did it take that long to
assess and select? : No doubt these millions of euros could have been saved. How
could these millions been saved: I am willing to explain my personalfindings to
managers interested. Engineers who recognize this casemight feel
uncomfortable, which is not my intention. My personaldrive and duty: find a
professionalsolution for the problemwith at least 95%+performanceat firstgo,
what is the best fit for the duty and how do we keep OPEX and CAPEX as low as
possible.