Oil and Gas From Deep in the Earth to Our Cars and Homes

What are Oil and Gas?Oil and Gas are substances found within the earths crust.They are thought to come from decomposed plant and animal matter.Scientists believe the plants and animals died long ago, and were slowly buried by thick layers of sediments. Over a long period of time, and with pressure and temperature, the organic materials were converted into the oil and gas which are found today. (For example, we know that present day garbage dumps give off methane gas)

Oil in its natural state can be thick or thin, black or light colored.

When oil is refined, many products can be obtained:Energy for powerGasoline for carsDiesel fuel for trucks and trainsHi-octane fuels for planesHeating oil for housesMany other materials also come from petroleum:PlasticsMaterials for clothes (example: polyester fabrics)Chemicals for everyday use PaintsWhat else do we know about oil and gas?

Where do we find Oil and Gas?

Some people think that oil lies in big underground pools.

So, how do we find oil-bearing rocks?Oil and gas are found in natural traps within the earth. These traps consist of domes or faults. Impermeable rock above the trap prevents the oil and gas from migrating up to surface. An impermeable rock is one that fluid cannot pass through. Without traps, the oil and gas (which are lighter than water) could migrate all the way to the surface and evaporate.

OilHeres an example of a dome-shaped Oil reservoir.Note the layer of impermeable rock which prevents the oil from migrating upwards. Also, note the layer of water below which prevents the oil from escaping down. Why? Oil and Gas are lighter than water, so they float upward (even underground)!

GasHeres an example of a Gas reservoir.Again, note the impermeable layer of rock preventing the gas from escaping.

GasHeres an example of an Oil reservoir with a Gas capOilWhy do you suppose the gas is on top?Gas is lighter than oil and water so it rises to the top of the trap.Without a trap oil and gas can rise to the surface to form natural seeps.

How do we find the oil reservoirs?sourcereceiversGeophysicists find reservoirs by bouncing sound waves off them, and timing how long it takes for the sound to come back

What do we do after we find a reservoir?

A Drilling Rig ! Here are a few different types of drilling rigs available:

A Drilling Rig is: A package of special equipment put together to enable us to drill into the earth.A drilling rig has many different parts:a derrick, a substructure, hoisting equipment, engines for power, drill pipe, steel tanks, pumps, solids control equipment, and many other pieces.

Did you know that some drilling rigs can drill as deep as 6 miles? Thats as deep as Mt. Everest is tall!What is a drilling rig ?

Drill stringDrill bit

The hoisting equipment consists of:a a crown block, a travelling block,drilling line,and a drawworks to pull the drilling line up or down.substructureThis picture shows the hoisting equipment on a rig.This equipment is used to raise or lower the drillstring, which is picked up in 30 foot long segments, or joints, of drill pipe.spare drill pipeThis shows a 30 foot section of drill pipe being added to the drill pipe already in the hole.

The drill string is turned at surface, which turns the bitat the bottom of the hole.

The teeth on the drill bit grind the rock into fragments, or cuttings.Drilling mud is pumped down the inside of the drill pipe, through jet nozzles in the bit, and into the annulus. This is the space between the sides of the hole and the drill pipe.

The mud lifts the cuttings and circulates them back to surface where they are removed. Heres how the drill bit drills the rock.

screensThe Drilling Mud Cyclemud pump

The production facilities on surface separate out the gas, oil, and water into their separate phases.Production Separator

From there, the oil and gas may be refined further before being ready to market.Storage Tanks

Finally, the gas and oil can be sold to power cars and heat homes.

And Thats How Oil and Gas Get From Deep in the Earth into YOUR Everyday Lives!

Role of Process Engineering in Organization

Introduction What is Process Engineering Process engineering an essential engineering role in chemical process industries to improve operating process performance and enhance the process management in projectsProcess engineering classified in to two different applications such as facility process engineering and conceptual process engineering.

Applications Process Engineering DesignProcess engineering design is the application of chemical engineering and Mechanical engineering in Oil & Gas Industry. Involves in process related conceptual projects development, project planning, project design and project construction engineering and commissioning of the facilities

General Responsibilities Process Engineer Prepares various studies of process cycles and systems for production improvements and enhancements.Prepares economic studies associated with process performances.Prepares conceptualized process schematics and ensures proper deliverables of the required modificationsPrepares economic studies associated with process performanceEvaluates competitive bids for process equipments

Inter Relationship Responsibilities Process Engineer must understand the importance of Inter Relationship.Process Team is a part of Technical Services Team and Interacts with Operations Team, Maintenance Team Inspection TeamProjects construction TeamProject review design TeamAppreciates each function may and often influence the process design decisions

Organization Structure Process Engineer Function may vary from industry to another Industry.Oil & Gas Industry specifically will have the functionalities.Operations supporting Process EngineeringTechnical Services support EngineeringProject design engineeringOil & Gas EPC (Engineering, Procurement and construction) Industry will also have process engineering applications for detailed Engineering developmentOil & Gas PMC (Project Management consultancy) will have process engineering applications

Process modeling is one of the art of Process Engineering to find out process adequacy from gross root to construction capabilities.

Process simulation gives the bottom line approach on the plant Heat & Material balance Process Simulation gives further direction for detailed Engineering.Process EngineeringProcess Modeling and Simulation Overview

Process Simulation Software'sWidely used Process Simulation software's as follows.Facility oriented Process simulationsASPEN PLUSASPEN HYSYS UNISIM Pro-IICHEMCAD

Process Simulation Software'sWidely used Process Simulation software's as follows.Pipe line oriented Process simulationsPipe Phase Pipe simASPEN HYSYS OLGA

Process Simulation Software'sExample for Facility process Simulation

Process Simulation Software'sWidely used software's as follows.Thermal design of Heat Exchanger simulationsHTRI ASPEN HTFSASPEN B-JAC

GAS OIL SEPARATION PLANT

LIST OF EPC COMPANIESPetrofacMot MacDonaldFoster WheelerSaipemTechnipFlour DanielBechtelPetrojetJacobs EngineeringPetro6Samsung Engineering

Oil gathering facilities will located at centralized location called Gathering centersOil and Gas will be segregated from the Gathering centers and Oil will be exported to Tank farm for storage and further handlingGas will be collected in individual headers and fed to Gas Booster stations to compress to required delivery pressuresProcess EngineeringOil & Gas Facilities Overview