Expro Technology Commended In BG Group Awards
01 December 2008
01 December 2008
International oilfield service company Expro has been commended by BG Group for its ground-breaking Megaflow separator technology, which is currently reducing hydrocarbon flaring in the Karachaganak field in western Kazakhstan, one of the world's largest oil and gas condensate fields.
The BG Group Chief Executive Awards were inaugurated in 2002 and have grown in stature and competitiveness since. Expro was commended in the ‘Enhanced Working Practice' category which rewards innovative applications, solutions and thinking which have had a positive impact on BG Group's business.
The awards were presented by Frank Chapman, chief executive of BG Group, at a ceremony in Hampton Court Palace, London.
The Expro Megaflow separator breaks new ground in separation technology for high capacity wells by eliminating the need to flare, thus lessening the impact of operations on the environment and local community. It is used to efficiently break-up condensate and H20 from gas during well tests and is easily transportable for use both on and offshore. It has been in demand on high rate wells all over the world and is currently based in Kazakhstan where it is deployed on 16 well operations for KPO, of which BG Group is a partner.
Liquid droplets are spun out of the gas stream by centrifugal force in two stages and collected at the bottom of the large liquid chamber sump before being removed and sent directly to the processing facility, rather than burned in the flare pit. A large liquid chamber gives a high capacity for gas/liquid separation while the separator is designed to handle a large temperature range and high working pressures, providing greater flexibility.
Its design combines both horizontal and vertical separation technologies, enabling it to have a smaller footprint and overall weight than conventional horizontal and vertical separation technology in the subsea oil and gas industry. It can be dismantled into five skids, allowing easy transportation and when assembled, can be used in the majority of offshore installations.
Graeme Coutts, Expro's Chief Executive Officer, said: “Being recognised by BG Group in this way helps cements our position as a sector leader in enhancing working practices and producing innovative technology. The Megaflow separator has proved a revelation and has allowed our customers to reap the significant benefits of increased production, while reducing impact on the environment.
“Since the Megaflow was introduced, we have experienced great demand for this technology which is exceeding expectations and achieving impressive results with KPO in the Karachaganak field.”
Frank Chapman, BG Group Chief Executive said: “The team devised a means of using the Megaflow separator to ensure that all hydrocarbons produced during a well test are sent directly to the processing facilities rather than burned in the flare pit. This not only reduces emissions, lessening the impact of KPO's operations on the environment and the local community, but also provides valuable additional revenue.”
