Compressors offshore installations

More recently, new applications of catalytic combustion have been explored. Particularly the use in small-scale gas turbines to be used in mobile applications, such as rail locomotives, road vehicles and ships is anticipated. In addition, an increased use of small gas turbines for industrial applications such as offshore installations, pipeline compressors and power generation is expected. 

Example 3 One of the compressor trains on an offshore installation was due for replacement. The technical manager searched the database for previous accidents on compressors in order to take experience from these into account in the purchase of the new compressor. 

The gas-pipeline construction costs in 1983 showed a 1.05% increase for the composite gas pipeline cost index. Even though some of the materials (pipes, valves, and fittings, etc.) were discounted, some other costs such as labor, construction machinery and equipment increased and hence the total pipeline construction cost index showed an increase. Bigger pipelines (10—36 in.) contributed to most of the gas transportation in the United States. A comparison of costs of construction for land and offshore pipelines indicated that the offshore construction is three times as expensive as onshore projects. An annual cost index (Al) of 200 was published for the year 1983 for pipeline installation and an AI of 203 for compressor equipment and drive units in the compressor stations. The high pressure gas pipeline cost index in 1983 was the same as the previous year. 

The very large numbers of installations of the PCHF on offshore platforms has ably demonstrated the PI benefits which result from their use - namely the opportunities given to innovative offshore operators to cut costs through improved safety and greatly reduced topside platform size and weight. This is visible in specific areas such as compressor after coolers, gas coolers, gas dehydration trains and cryogenic processes for the removal of inerts from streams. 

Permit-to-work systems should ensure that work is planned and carried out under adequate safety precautions in cases where the exposed persons do not have personal control of the involved hazards (Section 7.6). At the Ymer offshore platform, modifications of one of the compressor trains must take place while the platform is producing. This work has been subcontracted to an installation firm, BCC Installations. At the start of this work, the platform manager wants to be confident that the established work-permit-system is adequately designed and implemented. Your group is assigned the responsibility for the planning and execution of an audit. Its scope is the implementation of the work-permit-system for this particular modification work. Your tasks are to ... 

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