Aggreko, the world leader in the rental of power, temperature control and oil-free compressed air systems, recently completed the highest pressure compressed air project it has ever undertaken. Russell Brown, UK & Nordic Sales Manager for Aggreko Critical Air, was asked to supply an air volume of 16000m³/ hour, equating to 10000cfm. The required air pressure was to be no less than 75bar. Aggreko in the end actually supplied 87 barg.
Within 24 hours of Aggreko Critical Air receiving the call from the customer the job had been quoted, the order had been placed and the equipment was mobilised and en route from the UK to Norway.
The project took place on Fram East, a satellite field in the Norwegian section of the North Sea. The field has 20km of new oil and gas pipelines at 360 metres below sea level. The pipelines will supply the Troll C platform, also in the North Sea, with an estimated 60 million barrels of oil and 2 billion cubic meters of gas.
Aggreko’s equipment package comprised of
* 8m³ x 33m³/ min 25bar primary air compressors,
* 4m³ x 90m³/ min 87bar booster air compressors,
* An 18 way primary manifold,
* 450m of air hose working at pressures up to 150bar
Upon arrival in Norway the commissioned equipment once again set sail. This journey, with oil platform Fram East as it’s final destination, was on the Norwegian vessel Far Saga just seven days after the initial contact from the customer.
As part of the pre-commissioning process the Fram East pipelines were pressure tested in order to demonstrate that they were of adequate strength to transport the final product safely. After the pressure test, the production pipeline was dewatered by a train of pigs (glycol swabbing), propelled through the pipeline using high pressure compressed dry air. Compressed air was preferred over liquid nitrogen for this operation because of the high volumes required to propel the pig train against the hydrostatic pressure in the line.
Aggreko’s customer, IKM Testing AS, said 'This project ran excellently from start to finish with no problems, we are very impressed with the reaction time of Aggreko’.
About Aggreko
Aggreko plc is the global leader in the rental of power, temperature control and oil-free compressed air systems. We help customers in many different industries to improve and safeguard their operations by solving problems, creating opportunities and reducing risk. Aggreko provides 24/7 availability and service support with more than 2,500 employees operating from over 100 locations in 28 countries. In 2006, we served customers in 80 countries, and had revenues of approximately £500m. Aggreko plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AGK.L) and headquartered in Scotland.