An Investigation of Dehydration Inefficiencies and Associated Design Challenges in a Gas Dehydration Unit: A Case Study of X Gas Plant

The value and contribution of natural gas in both domestic and economic terrains are extensive. However, its contaminant limits direct application and hence must be treated. Water vapour existing in equilibrium with dry gas is the principal among contaminants. Most corrosion both with acid gases and carbonate salts are traceable to the presence of water. Also the formation of solid icy structures called hydrates constitutes a threat to flow assurance. Removal of water by TEG dehydration trains is not uncommon.Dehydration inefficiencies such as high water content of the outlet gas and glycol losses could impair operations and considerably reduce profit. Inefficiency in GDU was identified to be due to design factors and operational conditions/scenarios. In the case studied, laboratory analysis of TEG was combined with process simulation results to resolve inconsistencies in design and operational phases. Recommendations for further improvements were also presented

Enhanced Recovery of Heavy Oil in the Niger Delta: Nelson and Mcneil Model a Key Option for In-Situ Combustion Application

In-situ heavy oil recovery involves several field tested enhanced oil recovery methods/techniques with applicable models. Such field tested techniques include non-thermal oil recovery, hybrid oil recovery and solvent-base oil recovery. The viabilities and field successes recorded by these in-situ heavy oil recovery techniques/methods cannot be overemphasized. But, the main focus of this study is on heavy oil recovery using in-situ combustion with attention on the application of Nelson and McNeil model as documented in the in-situ combustion handbook (Partha, 1999). We subjected data(s) obtained from five (5) heavy oil reservoirs located within the same field in the Niger Delta to the correlations, equations, assumptions and calculations proposed by our study model. This enabled the research team to carry out performance evaluations while considering in-situ combustion implementation using our proposed model. Our result outcomes were further validated with a foreign heavy oil reservoir having similar reservoir properties. Our study results show how viable and profitable (with possible commercial production) heavy oil production from unconventional reservoirs in the Niger Delta would be. Currently, most of the internally generated oil revenue by the Nigeria government is from cheap/light oil obtained from conventional reservoirs (which is fast declining globally)