WELLHEAD & GATHERING SYSTEMS CONTROL

WELLHEADS CONTROL
Flow Control
In normal operation the flow rate from each well is set from the plant DCS so as to maintain the desired Obaiyed sales gas rate. Well bias control *Y-110A sets the proportion of the total flow to be
drawn from each well. Flow will be cut back automatically if the sales gas pipeline pressure approaches its maximum allowable value via pressure controller 29-PICA-174.
Flow at the export pipeline will be measured by three transmitters 29-QT-161A, 29-QT-161B via 29-FQY-170 then via 29-FIC-170A (refer to section 4.2.9). The associated DCS flow Controller
output signal from 29-FIC-170A will be distributed to the individual well DCS faceplates where the facility will exist for the operator to select the following functions;
1-Manual Control of the wellhead Choke Valve via OB01-HS-110.
2-Automatic Control of the wellhead Choke Valve, i.e., allows the export flow controller output to go direct to the choke valve without bias the wells (Output of 29-FICA-170A via OB01-Y-110A [LSS]
to OB01-PCV-110). This control loop will occur as long as the choke is set to auto mode.
3-Bias Function; this function is available as long as the choke is set to auto mode and will permit the operator to bias the output of the plant outlet flow controller (29-FICA-170A) on a well by well
basis.
When the bias function is used the operator can enter different well biases to have different production rates from the different wells.
With a PSD 1(2), the DCS will limit the output to the choke valves to 50%. This will reduce the input to the plant, which now has only 1 train operational. When a subsequent PSD 2 (1) occurs the
DCS will initiate the same action as for PSD/ESD trip i.e. shut-in all the wells and close the choke valves and SSV. This should ensure that the HIPPS valves are not tripped which would require
local resetting.
Pressure Control
At the wellhead, there is only one automatic local pressure controller OB01-PC-107 will be included within the RTU. The function of this controller is to prevent overpressure of the flowline and
reduce the demand on the SSV and HIPPS Valves by providing the signal for the low signal selector OB01-Y-110B and is set at 1 barg above the maximum operating pressure. If the Control Room
Operator was to open the wellhead Choke Valve fully on manual control and this resulted in an increase in the flow line pressure above the local pressure controller set point, then the local controller
output OB01-PC-107 will, via a low signal selector, override the signal sent by the control room operator and close the valve. There are alarms that will be relayed to the Obaiyed gas plant and these
are listed for a typical well feeding the gathering system. If the flow line pressure increased further, 10-PZS-104/105 (one out of two) will close the HIPPS valve.
Also, 10-PZSH-102 will close the SSV & 10-PZSL-103 will close the choke valve and the SSV if any one of them activated respectively. An ESD trip will cause all the wells to shut-in (close SSV) and
the choke valves will be closed. The SC-SSSV will only be closed on a local well ESD, local fire detection, and a local manual closure. A time delay following the SSV closure will ensure that the SCSSSV will not close when the well is flowing.

4.02.1

WELLHEADS AND GATHERING SYSTEM

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GATHERING CONTROL
Opening of the actuated valve in the Gathering System inlet 20 header 11-UZV-101A/B Is controlled by pressurisation logic 11-UZ-101 to prevent the large valve opening if there is a high
Differential pressure across the valve, or low pressure downstream.
Pressure Control
Pressure in the gathering system is controlled by pressure controller 20-PICA-110 which manipulates 28-FIC-105/125, the turbo expander inlet flow controller for train1 and train2 respectively as
long as the pipeline pressure is less than the preset value of 29-PIC-171A (refer to section 4.2.8 for more details).
Flow controllers adjustment is equal for each train, and facility has been provided to bias flow to control then excess production will be vented to the HP flare, via the spill off valve 20-PCV 154,
controlled by 20-PICA-154 thus preventing plant shut down on high inlet pressure. Conversely, as plant inlet pressure falls, 20-PICA-110 will decrease flow through the gas trains (refer to section
4.2.2).
The gathering header is protected from low low pressure (indication of flow line or header rupture) by 11-PZALL-103, which will initiate a total plant shutdown PSD.

4.02.1

WELLHEADS AND GATHERING SYSTEM

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