Session: 16-01: Poster Presentations

Paper Number: 121821

121821 - Toward Thermal Operation Decarbonization Improvements in Solar Steam Production Facility Efficiency for Higher Value and Higher Ghg Emissions Savings. 

Abstract: 

Petroleum Development Oman LLC (PDO) is Oman’s premier oil producer and operates several fields at “A”. “A” East and “A” West are located on the eastern flank of the South Oman Salt Basin. As “A” Thermal fields contain heavy oil, PDO plans to significantly increase oil recovery by increasing the steam injection which is having high energy intensity.

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the improvement in the Solar Steam Production Facility Thermal Efficiency to maximize the value of producing steam and saving higher GHG emissions.

Solar Steam facility is a steam production station which absorbs sun rays to produce steam from water further injected into the reservoir to produce the oil in Amal. Miraah is designed to produce 1980 T/d with 12 blocks. However, the maximum potential has not been met.

By improvement this process, it will help to contribute to organization goals in term of production increase, deferment reduction, GHG reduction and cost reduction.

In This project, different approaches and process had been used such as lean practice including process mapping, root cause analysis, fishbone.

A lean approach known as Practical problem solving (PPS) was followed. This is a structured framework to understand the causes of a sudden behavior change in a defined steps within a process. The analysis included outlining the “SIPOC”, i.e. defining the Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers of this matter, a Detailed Process Mapping, fishbone analysis, the 5-whys, etc. The PPS findings were piloted to verify the outcomes. 

 

Results, Observations, Conclusions:

This paper has led to significant benefits and maximizing its potential. These benefits are outlined below:

·         Maintaining positive pressure inside the glass house will eliminate dust ingress to improve mirror reflectivity and increase steam production.

·         Smart Pigging provisions well will reduce resistance in steam flow in the loops, max sun rays absorbed to produce steam.

·         Providing options/ provisions to inject steam in maximum number of steam injectors will result steam units to produce to its maximum capacity

·         Steam Deferments savings of around 222k Ton annually is saved which resulted to secure around 10% of the field oil production. In addition, a saving of 35.5k tons of CO2e/yr GHG emissions is seen part of this improvements.

The possible causes were identified using fishbone resulted in finding below main causes:

v  Deficiency in Glass house pressure and dust control including mirrors cleaning cycle, AHU, Glass panels

v  Receiver Tubes efficiency and scaling

v  Insufficient Roof washers’ effectiveness and availability

v  Injectivity and header pressure issues

Presenting Author: Mohamed Al-Fazari Petroleum Development Oman LLC

Presenting Author Biography: 12+ years’ experience in oil & Gas. Wide experience in process engineering covering concept, engineering, commissioning, and operation including Thermal Operation.
6 years’ Experience in Gas Processing covering Gas conditioning units and stabilization process.
5 years’ Experience in Thermal operation & process looking after production & steam system optimization
In addition, wide experience in water treatment and water management for process water and boiler feed water.
Graduated from Sultan Qaboos University (bachelor degree on chemical and process engineering) on 2011 and joined PDO as process engineer.

Authors:

Mohamed Al-Fazari Petroleum Development Oman LLC
Qasim Al-Riyami Petroleum Development Oman