Applying Safety Instrumented Systems To Raw Natural Gas Complexes

By Allen Hood, Pressure Product Manager, ABB Inc.

In the production of gases from natural gas wells, safety instrumented systems (SIS) can protect critical piping and dehydration processes from high pressures, while minimizing the risk of undesirable emissions. Raw natural gas commonly contains varied concentrations of methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, helium, and water at high pressures. The raw gases contain both free and entrained water; dehydration systems remove the water.

Dehydration facilities typically collect the raw natural gas from multiple wells that are miles apart. Their purpose is to minimize the corrosive nature of the gas. Following dehydration, the gas goes to a plant that separates the dried gas into its various components in a form suitable for marketing.