Application	Casing Gas Compression
Client	Petro-Andina
Compressor Manufacturer	Howden WRVi series
Location	Argentina
Method	Screw Compression
Oil & Gas	Compression
Size	150-200 HP

High CO2 & Water Content

For the Argentina Casing Gas project, Startec designed, fabricated and commissioned seven units for an oil and gas field.

The field's gas reserves are highly corrosive, due to high levels of both water and CO2. The field is subject to an extreme range of temperatures from the winter to summer seasons. The pipeline to transport the gas to processing facilities is relatively shallow with little insulation, making it prone to temperature-related condensation issues, especially during the summer months.

The Argentina Casing Gas project demonstrates Startec's proven capabilities in:

• Engineering reliable compression solutions for highly corrosive feedstock
• Developing components to fit compact overseas shipping containers
• Creating effective condensation management solutions for locations with a wide temperature range - this capability is drawn from our industry-leading expertise in dewpoint control / propane refrigeration
• Fabricating components to achieve stringent NACE specifications for key components
• Designing, building and commissioning international projects

Equipment

• 7 - 200 HP Howden WRVi series screw compressors
• Caterpillar Natural Gas engine drivers
• NACE-compliant, custom-fabricated pressure vessel and piping components

Engineering & Design Factors

• Gas prone to weather-related condensation
• The combined high CO2 and water content of the gas necessitated the use of specifically selected materials and equipment (NACE-compliant valves & skids)
• All components were designed to fit compact containers to allow for truck, rail and sea transport, and to minimize the client's overseas shipping costs

Material Selection

• Project required corrosion resistant, NACE-compliant materials for valves & skids
• Startec sourced specialized steel plate for fabrication of all pressure vessels

Fabrication

• Startec employed specialized fabrication techniques to guard against material corrosion, stress and cracking
• All weld joints in pressure vessel and piping components were subjected to appropriate post weld heat treatment to achieve NACE-specified hardness values. The heating, cooling and soaking process was tightly controlled to achieve optimum joint integrity.

Testing

• Entire fabrication process constantly monitored by Startec's Quality Control program (ISO 9001:2000)
• Integrity of all pressure vessel heads and shells verified by HIC (Hydrogen Induced Cracking) testing
• All welds verified according to Startec and client testing procedures

Contact Startec

To discuss the specifications of your gas compression projects, contact a Startec Oil & Gas Customer Representative at 403.295-5855 or toll free at 1-800-555-9439