Course Overview
A thorough understanding of how natural gas and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) are separated and conditioned from raw hydrocarbon streams is essential for professionals operating in the upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors.
This practical training course provides a comprehensive overview of gas processing operations—from initial separation at the wellhead through to the delivery of pipeline-quality gas and marketable NGL products. Emphasis is placed on core unit operations including hydrate prevention, dehydration, acid gas removal (sweetening), and NGL recovery technologies. Participants will also develop foundational troubleshooting skills to address common operational challenges in gas processing facilities.
Course Aims & Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Identify key hydrocarbon components in raw gas streams and describe their physical properties and behavior under varying process conditions.
- Trace the journey of raw gas from the reservoir through upstream separation to downstream processing facilities.
- Explain the principles, design, and operational parameters of critical gas conditioning units, including dehydration, sweetening, and mercury removal systems.
- Understand hydrate formation mechanisms and apply industry-standard methods for hydrate inhibition and prevention.
- Describe the function and operation of Triethylene Glycol (TEG) dehydration units, molecular sieve dryers, amine sweetening systems, and refrigeration-based NGL recovery processes.
- Outline the fundamentals of NGL fractionation and the role of cryogenic technologies such as turbo-expanders in heavy hydrocarbon recovery.
- Apply structured approaches to diagnose and resolve common performance issues in gas processing plant equipment.
Training Methodology
This highly interactive course blends theoretical instruction with practical application. Learning is facilitated through a mix of:
- Technical lectures delivered by experienced industry practitioners
- Guided group discussions and Q&A sessions
- Real-world case studies from North Sea, Middle East, and global operations
- Hands-on exercises and troubleshooting scenarios
- Breakout sessions focused on operational decision-making
Delegates will receive a comprehensive, easy-to-reference course manual. To tailor content to participants’ operational contexts, a pre-course questionnaire will be issued to identify specific technical challenges and learning priorities.
Who will Attend?
This course is designed for a broad range of oil and gas professionals, particularly those involved in field operations, process support, or facility management. It is especially beneficial for:
- Process, production, and facilities engineers and managers
- Field operators, technicians, and shift supervisors and team leaders
- New entrants to gas processing roles seeking foundational knowledge
- Team leaders, plant managers, and operations supervisors
- Project engineers and contractors involved in gas facility design or modification
- Government regulators and technical advisors overseeing gas infrastructure
- Personnel engaged in the planning, commissioning, or optimization of gas processing plants
Course Contents
Introduction to Natural Gas Processing
- Fundamentals of natural gas composition and phase behavior
- Key physical properties: density, heating value (BTU), Wobbe index
- Common impurities: water, H₂S, CO₂, mercury, nitrogen, and heavy hydrocarbons
- Pipeline gas quality specifications and contractual requirements
- Overview of upstream vs. midstream processing responsibilities
- Introduction to NGLs, LPG, and Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) concepts
Gas–Liquid Separation Systems
- Principles of two- and three-phase separation
- Separator types: vertical, horizontal, and scrubbers
- Sizing considerations and operating envelopes
- Instrumentation and control strategies for pressure, temperature, level, and flow
- Control valves, actuators, and safety shutdown systems
- Startup, shutdown, and abnormal operating procedures
- Management of slugs, foaming, and emulsion issues
Hydrate Formation & Prevention
- Thermodynamic conditions for hydrate formation
- Water content estimation in gas streams (using charts and software)
- Hydrate inhibition methods:
- Thermodynamic inhibitors (methanol, MEG)
- Low-dosage hydrate inhibitors (LDHIs)
- Water dew point specification and control
- Operational strategies to avoid hydrate blockages in pipelines and equipment
Dehydration of Natural Gas
- Importance of dehydration for pipeline integrity and downstream processes
- Glycol dehydration: process description of TEG units
- Key performance factors: circulation rate, reboiler temperature, glycol purity
- Molecular sieve dehydration: principles and applications
- Troubleshooting common TEG unit issues (foaming, degradation, poor dew point)
- Mercury removal systems: adsorption technologies and safety protocols
Sweetening: Acid Gas Removal
- Sources and hazards of H2S and CO2 (“sour” gas)
- Amine-based sweetening: process flow, solvent types (MEA, DEA, MDEA), and regeneration
- Alternative technologies: membrane separation and solid-bed scavengers
- Corrosion management and materials selection
- Environmental, health, and safety (EHS) considerations in sour service
- Troubleshooting amine unit upsets: foaming, degradation, and poor acid gas removal