German screw pump specialist Leistritz has launched a new generation of multiphase pumps, combining the advantages of screw pumps and screw compressors
The latest Leistritz development, the hydro compression technology, is the next evolutionary step in multiphase pump (MPP) applications and a new way of increasing operational efficiency when exploiting oil and gas from fields with high gas volume fractions (GVF).
“We combined the best features of two machines that are being used here: the benefits of the Leistritz multiphase pump and of the screw compressor technology,” explained Roland Maurischat, vice president Engineering Solutions at Leistritz. The result is an increase in system efficiency of up to 25% (at GVF of 95 % and more), providing significant reductions in both OPEX and CAPEX.
With oil prices and subsequently new fields explorations declining, brownfield exploration and end-of-life wells became increasingly viable. However, getting the best return from those sites proves a complex challenge posed by volatile pressure and disruptive consistency of oil and gas in the reservoir.
“Where operators used multiphase pumps and screw compressors, they now have ONE cost-effective solution – the hydro compressor,” said Maurischat. “By developing hydro compression technology, we provide oil producers maximum benefits: improving efficiency and reducing the uncertainty of the well itself. What we did is to combine the large operating window of a screw pump in multiphase applications, e.g. against varying flow regimes, with the higher efficiency of a screw compressor.”
Better compression efficiency and lower power requirement mean a smaller drive can be installed on the pump. Typically, process coolers are used in high GVF applications to control the discharge temperature.
Maurischat continued, “By using high compression technology, less energy is required. Thus, the cooler can be significantly downsized, often even eliminated.” Introducing less power into the system goes hand in hand with having to remove less heat losses. The cooling requirements are reduced and thus, the lube oil cooling system can also be minimised. “All of this results in substan-tial OPEX and CAPEX reductions.”
The hydro compression concept was developed especially for applications dealing with extremely high gas fractions (approx. 95%) and low viscosities. “It is the perfect pump solution if the inlet pressure is low – in the range of 20 - 100 psi, and also when dealng with a high compression ratio,” concluded Maurischat.
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