Com­pres­sor op­ti­miza­t­i­on meets new pro­cess re­qui­re­ments

A leading European oil and gas company, focused on exploration and production in the Mediterranean, needed to modify the capacity of a compressor to meet new process specifications requiring a more than 50% reduction in gas flow.

The customer contacted Burckhardt Compression to revamp and overhaul the compressor to efficiently meet the new operating parameters. A detailed inspection and engineering study were required to identify the optimal approach to modification and revamp.

Customer challenges

• Lowering the flow rate from 5’000 Nm³/h down to approximately 2’000 Nm³/h to meet new process requirements
• Ensuring minimal disruption to the facility and its operations
• Identifying the optimal approach for modifying the existing compressor
• Working within the constraints of the original compressor design
• Challenging gas composition

Our solution

• Detailed inspection and engineering study
• Delivery of new cylinders with smaller diameters, achieving the new flow rate
• All internal cylinder parts manufactured in-house according to API standards
• Complete overhaul of the compressor carried out at a Burckhardt Compression Service Center, incl. repair of the crank case, distance piece and crankshaft 
• Mechanical bar-over test

Customer benefits

• Energy savings of approx. 1’800 MWh per year by adapting the compressor to the lower flow requirements and therefore avoiding the bypass system
• Clear definition of the necessary modifications within the engineering study
• As good as a new compressor, all parts upgraded to high performance components
• New cylinders implemented without requiring any modifications to the existing foundation, gas and cooling water piping nor the electrical motor
• Single service partner: from consulting to project execution
• No safety incidents

• Success Stories
• Refinery
• Capital parts for compressors
• Comprehensive valve services
• Revamps and upgrades