Increasing plant throughput using hydraulic process simulation

With the recent oil price crash fresh in the memory, the value of low cost initiatives to increase operating margins of mature assets is as relevant as ever to reduce operating expenditure and increase revenue. By creating and maintaining a comprehensive hydraulic process simulation model, capacity tests and future scenarios can be planned at relatively low cost, without compromising safety. Through the careful use of data processing, benchmarking and meticulous attention to detail, Genesis and Gassco have created a suite of as-built process simulations that replicate the Norwegian gas infrastructure.

In this paper/presentation, our process of building and benchmarking hydraulic process models is presented, including key digitalisation areas of workflow automation and software product synergy. We will present how data is harvested from process simulators, design software, and operational data and how Excel can be transformed into a dynamic graphical user interface that you already know how to use. We will discuss how important pieces of information are analysed to ensure the simulation runs within expected operational constraints. Finally, we will conclude with some examples of how the team’s findings have been used to improve efficiency, to challenge operating limits and to increase plant throughput.