Waste or excess gas energy can be used to drive Ejectors. For example: High-pressure, gas energy from an existing mechanical Compressor that is normally wasted across an anti-surge valve when in recycle mode, can be used to drive a gas Ejector.
The Ejector becomes the 1st stage compressor and offers a lower inlet pressure than the original mechanical compressor. Because of this, the wells/upstream process now operates against a lower back-pressure, which will boost production in accordance with the productivity index (PI) of the well. The Ejector then compresses the suction stream up to meet the required inlet pressure of the mechanical compressor.
With globally 1000’s of existing mechanical Compressors in recycle with waste energy available, the opportunities to use waste energy usefully are vast.
Compressor recycle opportunity used to boost production by lowering separator pressure. Although the Ejector is handling gas, a lower separator pressure will boost gas, oil and condensate production.
Compressor recycle opportunity used for Flare Gas Recovery, by capturing and compressing waste gas.
Compressor recycle opportunity used to de-bottleneck or eliminate an LP compressor.