Feasibility study and economic evaluation on application of MEG regeneration unit for Oil FPSO

Abstract

This study investigated the feasibility study on application of MEG (Mono Ethylene Glycol) regeneration unit for Oil FPSO. In order to evaluate the process adapting the MEG regeneration unit for Oil FPSO, the method of injecting MEG and MeOH of thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor, one of the field`s proven and qualified technologies, was compared each other and simulated by using ‘Aspen HYSYS’ to investigate the feasibility of the process. The required amount of hydrate inhibitor was determined depending on the condition of well and fluid for case study and CAPEX and OPEX of the process were calculated for economic analysis. ‘Aspen Economic Evaluations’ was used to have the delivered equipment cost which is the basis of CAPEX estimating for cost evaluation and OPEX was calculated based on the hydrate injection scenarios to compare the MEG injection system with MEG regeneration unit to conventional MeOH injection system. The MEG injection system with MEG regeneration unit was more economical as shut-in events are happed more frequently due to the property of MEG to be recovered by MEG regeneration unit even though the CAPEX is increased at early investment stage. Sensitive analysis was conducted to understand that how the major parameters affect the results of cost estimating. In order to have more qualified feasible study and adapt the result of this research to industrial field, the more detailed information of field development and appropriate operating philosophy and injection scenarios are needed.