Common Oil and Gas Industry Applications for Gas Compressors

Even with the great technological advances and increased focus on renewable energy, fossil fuels still feed over 75% of the nation’s energy needs. Petroleum and Natural Gas provide for over 65% of this energy demand (1). Gas compressors are used in numerous applications throughout the oil and gas collection, storage and refining. Here are a few of the most common Ro-Flo sliding vane compressor applications.

Gas Compressor Systems in the Oil and Gas Industry

Gas Boot Compressor

A gas boot operates at the wellhead to separate the liquid (oil and water) and gas to allow proper processing. Ro-Flo’s are used to collect the vapor from the gas boot and send it for further processing.

Wellhead Pressure Relief

Again at the wellhead, the Ro-Flo can be used to draw the gas off the well to reduce the power required by the well pumps. This can go as far as drawing a vacuum on the wellhead to increase the production rate of the well.

Oil Stabilization Column Compressor or Heater Treater Vapor Recovery

These are similar processes in that they are trying to remove the gas phase from the oil to allow for safe storage and processing. Ro-Flo’s collect the removed gas for further processing.

Storage Tank Vapor Recovery

After being extracted from the ground, crude oil is pumped into storage tanks. Much of the associated gas has already been removed from the product, but hydrocarbons will continue to be released from the product, especially when agitated or heated by the sun. Ro-Flo’s are used to collect these vapors from the storage tanks and move them downstream for further processing.

Future Applications for Gas Compressors

Petroleum products include transportation fuels, fuel oils for heating and electricity generation, asphalt ingredients, and feedstocks for making the chemicals, plastics, and synthetic materials that are in nearly everything we use (including rubber, nylon, polyester, etc). In 2020, over 29% of total petroleum consumption was used to make non-fuel products. (2)

Worldwide demand for oil and petroleum products continues to rise, with no sign of slowing. Next-generation industrial gas compressors will continue to evolve to keep up with demand. Innovations in the areas of speed, energy efficiencies, and durability against harsh operating conditions will help to ensure that fossil fuels will continue to provide for generations to come.

Get Started With Ro-Flo Compressors

If you’re ready to purchase a gas compressor, trust the experts at Ro-Flo to help you through the process. Our team has years of experience and is trusted by the top 25 largest oil and gas companies in the world. Contact us today to get started.

References:

  1. Pewresearch.org
  2. eia.gov

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