Training Course Agendas

These course agendas are a representation of the course material presented for the specific classes. All material is subject to change depending on the specific needs of the clients at each course. Please contact Bryan Research & Engineering for additional information on any training session.

BRE 102: Upstream Facilities

Introduction to Upstream Facilities and Process Simulation

Objectives:

This course introduces the basics of process modeling and optimization with ProMax® by using exercises focused on upstream facilities in the oil and gas industry. Topics include well sites, stabilizers, compressor stations, pipelines with methanol injection, glycol dehydration systems, and flares. Each process is discussed with emphasis on common specifications, rules-of-thumb, and product requirements.

The basics of process simulation are also discussed, along with many capabilities and features of ProMax that can be used for optimization, automation, and the rating and sizing of equipment. Many techniques and methods used in developing simulation models for plants and facilities will be covered. The course is designed to demonstrate the extent and breadth of benefits ProMax can provide for upstream oil and gas facilities, and application of process simulation using ProMax through hands-on implementation.

Attendees will learn:

• Basics of process simulation methods
• Capabilities and features of ProMax simulation software
• Facility modeling techniques and methods
• Common process design and operational practices

Prerequisites:

• None

Methods:

• Instructor-led demonstrations
• Hands-on simulation
• Question-Answer
• Open floor discussion

Agenda

Installation of ProMax

The first step in all courses is to verify that ProMax is properly installed on each attendee’s computer.

Introduction to Upstream Facilities Using ProMax

• Exercise 1: Well Site – Introduces the basic concepts of ProMax, including how to draw and configure processes quickly and neatly. Demonstrates methods for displaying process information directly on the flowsheet and discusses the difference between using pure components and oils for modeling heavier hydrocarbons in the composition.
• Exercise 2: VRT/Stabilizer – Expands on the previous exercise by adding both a vapor recovery tower and stabilizer to the system in order to meet an RVP specification for the oil. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach are discussed. Stream Analyses are introduced with Vapor Pressure and Line Sizing analyses.
• Exercise 3: Compressor Station – Shows how to model a compressor station with inter-stage cooling and liquid knockout. Optional extended exercise includes setting compressor performance curves.
• Exercise 4: Pipeline – Describes the details and options available within the ProMax Pipeline block. Hydrate/solid formation in pipes is discussed.
• Exercise 5: Export/Append Projects – Demonstrates how to export projects and append them into a single ProMax file.
• Exercise 6: Glycol Dehydration Unit – Provides an overview of a TEG dehydration facility and introduces multipliers in mixers/splitters, Freeze Out and Composition Subset analyses, and the effects of a BTEX condenser on the system. Optional extended exercise demonstrates the results of adding stripping gas to the regenerator.
• Exercise 7: Flares – Demonstrates modeling of combustion through reactors and introduces the Combustion analysis. Teaches use of simple specifiers to control certain process parameters as functions of other known parameters.
• Exercise 8: Back Blending – Shows how to calculate the inlet composition and flow for a well site given only site operating conditions and properties for the outlet gas, the hydrocarbon liquid, and the water stream. Applies the concept of back blending and introduces Simple Solvers to automatically adjust certain process parameters to achieve desired results in downstream operation. The importance of obtaining an accurate lab sample and how to validate it in ProMax are also discussed.
• Exercise 9: User Value Sets – Demonstrates how to create custom variables for user-defined calculations. In this exercise, a single atmospheric temperature is created for summer/winter case studies of a compressor station, along with calculations for total power requirements and liquid dropout for the system.
• Exercise 10: Excel Import/Export – Expands upon the previous exercise by showing how to calculate energy costs from operating equipment (e.g. compressors). Utilizes ProMax’s ability to import and export variables into Microsoft Excel.
• Exercise 11: Scenario Tool® – Illustrates the use of Scenario Tool for case studies and facility optimization. Focuses on determining an appropriate methanol injection rate for a pipeline and optimizing heater-treater conditions at a wellsite facility. Optional extended exercise goes through a declining well scenario.
• Exercise 12: Separator Sizing – Walks through how to enable and specify separator sizing in the high-pressure separator of a wellsite.
• Exercise 13: PSV Sizing and Depressurization – Builds on the previous exercise by introducing the Relief Valve Sizing analysis to determine effective discharge area of a relief valve on a heater-treater. Also demonstrates use of the Depressurization Tool to explore the temperature, pressure, and mass flow rate profiles for a venting vessel, including fire cases, to estimate a required orifice diameter.
• Exercise 14: Heat Exchanger Rating – Shows how to rate the shell and tube lean/rich exchanger in a TEG unit. Generating specification sheets in ProMax is also discussed.
• Exercise 15: Process Optimization – Maximize throughput of an entire process, wellsite through flare, while meeting equipment, process, and emissions limitations.

Additional Exercises:

• Exercise 16: OOOOa Vent Assessment Tool – Introduces the OOOOa Vent Assessment Tool in ProMax, which steps engineers through the required calculations for potentially uncontrolled emissions from tank battery vent systems as per NSPS OOOOa, and helps determine whether vent systems are large enough to handle peak flash gas flows.
• Exercise 17: Tank Losses – Discussion on AP 42 calculations for the working, breathing, and loading losses from a tank. Teaches use of the "Tank Losses" property stencil shape.
• Exercise 18: Reverse Separator – Shows how to calculate the liquid inlet and flash vapor compositions for a tank given only the flow and composition of the outlet liquid. Introduces a property stencil shape to perform this procedure automatically.
• Exercise 19: Salt Water Disposal – Walks through modeling a salt water disposal gathering system.

Notes About the Agenda:

Our agenda is provided to give the approximate material to be covered in the course, in the approximate order it will be covered. All courses we provide will be tailored to the needs of the host company providing the training accommodations, as well as the needs of the course attendees. Some courses may cover additional topics, while some may cover less than indicated in the agenda.

Some courses may be shortened to one or two days when represented by a three-day agenda. These courses will typically cover both process simulation and process optimization topics, but will exclude several exercises. Please contact our training team here: Contact Training, or through the consulting engineer for your region, for specific information for any course.