How do you optimize oil and gas processing and transportation?

Suggest implementing an informed training program for your process operations people to learn the importance of cut points, Freeze, flash points, reduce flaring, RVP specks, heat exchange, internal reflux, tray flooding. Training all operations people the importance of understanding all process equipment operations to gain maximum efficiency.

Must also consider that wellbore tubulars, wellheads, flowlines, manifolds, separators, FWKO's, tanks, VRUs, LACT Units, etc. come in size and pressure rating increments. Gotta consider flow, pressure, temperature, gravities, RVP, velocities, corrosion, design codes, etc. as a function of time.

Hydrocarbon transport when production wells are remote from existing processing and storage facilities can be challenging, requiring a flow assurance analysis of the multiphase flow from wellheads through a pipeline, analyzing the physical and chemical properties of the well fluids. Well stream can be transported without any processing for significant distances in many cases, allowing the use of existing processing facilities, with very significant cost savings. It is often possible to select suitable chemicals to mitigate wax and hydrates formation. A common problem is represented by well stream hydraulics, due to severe slugging problems, that can be predicted with special modeling software like OLGA, to identify mitigation methods.

During life of petrolatum we can optimize process due to condition and cost. Very dependent to process condition and process plan.

Considering the processing environment whether onshore or offshore reduced a lot of brainstorming in the conceptualized design stage. Also, legal framework with respect to environment under consideration must be thoroughly reviewed and considered in the design process.

I should add that all the points that mentioned above ,already has been followed by the design companies.In oil and gas industry there is well developped stantards and Procedures to fulfil the job.the writer of the text seems to be fresh graduate,and they should attend the operating plants and design companies. In my opinion , it is the economy of the processes ,that force the designer and operator to run these plants and follow the existing procedures. For example if the oil and gas giants want to decrease the CO2 and SO2 Emissions, they have the knowledge to do that , BUT just the stake holders and stocks owners in New York, should accept less profit. This is a real issue. Greed in the people is the main problem.

Process control design should be aiming to minimizing unplanned production outage, release of hydrocarbon contents due to system malfunction and minimize emissions to the environment. A good starting point is the selection of the optimal equipment size, to be fit for purpose to allow the production to be operating near the design conditions, throughout the production life. Typically in upstream facilities the well production will change with time, where the well pressure will decrease, water cut will increase , the oil production will decrease and the gas to liquids ratio will also decrease. Anticipating these changes at design stage in combination with the plant Operating & Maintenance Sparing philosophy will allow optimum process design.

Process optimization is crucial to safe, reliable, and efficient operations ultimately leading towards maximum profitability for the owners, business units, stakeholders and contributors. In fact a multidisciplinary approach often results in synergies that provide a competitive advantage. For example, energy management, leak detection, and engineering/operations through elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls all work together towards the optimal point on the efficiency curve. This means running assets efficiently (DRA, pumps, tanks, etc), managing change effectively, and focusing on safety of people, environment and property. Mathematical models, utilized properly w/ reasonable assumptions provide predictability.

As we optimized process parameters to maximize profit, it must be done with the safety of the process: equipment at heart as over bloated data might lead to equipment explosion.

It also involves inclusion of control and monitoring system in the design. This systems provide information on the real time event happening within and outside the transportation system.

System Control Function: Design the HMI interface using the EEMUA 191 and 201principles which provide more detail and are aligned to HSE recommendations. Identify what is an 'Alarm' and the significance in isolation or with a combination of others. A change of state during normal operation, such as a valve position is an aware. However an in transit or closed positon indicated without associated control action needs to be validated using pressure and flow from associated points. Minimsie data floods which can overwhelm Control Operatives. Develop colaboratively with other functions, well understood and practised emergency procedures. Validate that knowledge via a structured assessment process which identifies further training needs.

A more recent development impacting upstream facility design is the industry-wide move toward the reduction of onshore flaring during completion operations. Much of flaring prevention involves pre-completion facility preparation and pipeline connection——which involves the assumption of commerciality prior to well testing activities. This assumption can involve significant increases in fiscal risk, and therefore can increase the overall cost of multiple well development projects.