Production and Process Control Specialist – Altea Energy

Duration/Location

• Starting date: ASAP August 2024

• Duration: 12 months

• Renewable: Yes

• Location: FRANCE / Paris, Pau with missions to Gabon and Congo.

• Status: Residential

Context & Environment

Gabon assets: Torpille / Anguille (offshore), Ile Mandji (onshore)

• Associated gas is processed by turbocompressors and excess gas is exported or flared.

flared.

• In Gabon’s zero flaring projects, flaring systems will be modified to recover excess gas and send it to the

and send it to the gas lift and export networks.

Serious instabilities observed in the flaring and compression system induced by the gas interconnection

between the facilities are leading to PCV flaring. These instabilities are jeopardizing the operability

of the current system, but also future Zero flaring venting projects in Gabon.

These instabilities can be immediately reduced by analyzing and implementing regulations

quickly and drastically reduce flaring on these installations before the projects are implemented.

projects.

Offshore Congo asset: Nkossa (Offshore)

• The Nkossa field is produced by 2 wellhead platforms and one FPU: NKP.

• NKP is equipped with a complex gas processing system: separation compressor, turboexpander

for LPG extraction and turbocompressor for gas reinjection.

• The 4th stage compressor is beyond repair and will be replaced by the Nkossa Zero Routine

Flaring project.

Severe flow instabilities lead to frequent compressor overcapacity, resulting in flaring of the compressor.

flaring via PCVs, jeopardizing the system’s operability and the Nkossa Zero Routine Flaring project.

Nkossa flaring project.

Asset onshore Congo: Djeno Terminal (Onshore)

• 3 flares are installed at Djeno, the main one being associated with the Kitina chain. The Djeno Zero Flaring project is underway to install flare gas recovery systems on the 3 flares.

• The Kitina chain receives multiphase production from offshore fields via a slug-catcher.

• As part of the “Djeno Zero Flaring” project, the gas recovered by the slug-catcher will be sent to the terminal’s heaters and to a nearby power plant.

The gas recovered from the slug-catcher is highly unstable, jeopardizing the operability of the system and the terminal project.

Mission/Service Dimension

Analysis of process control activities within the Gabon and Congo subsidiaries

• Reconciliation of the subsidiary’s process control philosophy with current site conditions

• Recommendations for reducing process instabilities

• Coordination between site and control rooms

• Definition of modifications required for Zero Flaring projects

• Training of subsidiary consolidators and site operators to ensure the sustainability of implemented actions

Work in close collaboration with a DCS/ICSS systems engineer attached to the process control missions.

Main Activities

Phase 1 – Analysis preparation

• Process data collection, DCS diagram & synoptics

• PI data collection / PI views

• List all control loops (PID tuning, PV range, Equation type, output range, setpoint range)

• Check tags available on PI, identify missing tags

• Review of process control operating philosophy

• On-site and remote control room identification of process operating conditions

Priority work on flaring and gas regulation system

Phase 2 – Analysis

• Identification of process instabilities (versus current philosophy / setting points / control loops)

Focus (non-exhaustive list)

// First separation stages (liquid and gas outlets) level and pressure control

// Main flare PCVs (setpoints)

// Compressor suction pressure & temperature control (upstream compressors)

// Gas export and injection

Phase 3 – Set-up for process stability under current conditions

• Preparation of process control adjustments with site and control room operators

• If necessary, initiate modifications to optimize plant operation in accordance with site

site instructions and procedures (with systems engineer)

• Participate in updating and drafting operating procedures and instructions.

• Implement actions on optimized regulation

On-site and control room monitoring and estimation of potential gains (flaring, production) with the

process engineers

Phase 4 – Zero Flaring Venting projects

• Identification of control modifications required for new operating conditions

• Review and draft new process control operating philosophy

• Preparation of modifications required to accommodate new zero flaring projects

Long-term monitoring of the subsidiary’s process control

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Qualifications: Engineer or Senior Production Technician

• Languages: French & English required

• Professional Experience: supervision of production activities on Exploration production site. Control

control room production facilities. Process expertise

oil / gas / LPG