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GMJournal_EngineAd_Jan2012.indd 1
1/27/2012 3:14:20 PM
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p. 3
Oil and gas transaction appetite down slightly as confidence in economic outlook grows
LONDON - The bi-annual Oil & Gas Global Capital Confidence Barometer released recently highlights that nearly half (44%) of the 152 oil and gas company executives surveyed believe the global
economic situation is improving, up from 27% in October 2012. Notably, oil and gas companies
are generally more optimistic than the broader global sample of 1,600 respondents in 50 countries.
However, only 27% of the respondents expect to undertake any M&A activity in the next six months,
a decline from six months ago.
Andy Brogan, Ernst & Youngs Global Oil & Gas Transactions Advisory Leader explains this confidence paradox: While general confidence in the state and outlook of the economy is improving, this
is accompanied by increasing levels of uncertainty about the direction of travel of commodity prices in
general and oil and gas prices in particular. This is leading to a valuation disconnect which is delaying
many transactions.
Appetite for mergers and acquisitions declines slightly
The oil and gas sector has been one of the most resilient for M&A over the last five years. However, this
survey sees a slight decrease in sentiment with 27% of respondents now expecting to pursue acquisitions over the next 12 months, down from 28% in October 2012 and 31% a year ago. It is not just a
lack of confidence in the business environment that is holding companies back many are also concerned about the gap between their valuation of potential acquisitions and the prices sought by sellers.
For many companies, the appetite for M&A has declined. Five years after the financial crisis, many
executives are still waiting for more price visibility before taking action. That conservatism aside, oil
and gas respondents expect that global M&A deal volumes will increase over the next 12 months, with
72% expecting volumes to at least modestly improve. Expectations of the larger global sample were
broadly similar.
Growth focus returns
Prioritization of growth had broadly declined as companies in general became more focused on the
fundamentals, but that decline has seemingly ended. Oil and gas companies focus on growth had
similarly been declining, but increased sharply in this survey. Notably, our oil and gas respondents
continue to be more focused on growth than the global sample of companies. Compared with six
months ago, our respondents, both in the broader global sample as well as the oil and gas respondents,
report a decreased focus on reducing costs, improving efficiency and optimizing capital.
Growth remains the number one objective for a majority of our oil and gas companies, with 61%
reporting that growth is their primary focus, as compared to 20% whose primary focus was on cost
reduction and operational efficiency, and 17% whose focus was on maintaining stability. This is the
highest percentage of respondents citing growth as their top priority since April 2011.
Credit conditions improving globally
While credit has remained broadly available, particularly to large-cap enterprises, our global respondents report a substantial increase in credit availability. Compared with two years ago, banks are
-- see Oil & Gas Transaction next page
p. 4
2020 nationwide, and nuclear challenges remain high cost, waste management and Fukushima psychology, according to Gurcan Gulen, The University of Texas Center for Energy
Economics. Yet in ERCOT, current prices are
not sufficient to encourage enough generation
capacity to meet forecasted demand, according to Mr. Saathoff. New builds will be gas and
wind. He also spoke about various price forecasts and the issues of the intermittent supply
of power from wind. Since the peaks and valleys of wind generation do not match those of
power needs, natural gas capacity is needed to
fill in the gaps.
Expected high impact air quality rulemaking includes 75ppb ozone standards, final oil
and gas New Source Performance Standards A major issue is that smart power is needed
and NESHAPs, existing engine NESHAPs and for our nations energy efficiency. The Federal Energy Regulatory Agency (FERC) is consource aggregation.
cerned with this issue. A panel with Christina
Hayes, FERC Legal & Policy Advisor to ChairGas Transmission and Power
Power is a huge market for natural gas and gas man Wellinghoff, Bob Truman, CenterPoint
is earning a growing share of the power market. Energy, and Joseph Pollard, TransCanada
Kent Saathoff, Vice President of Systems Op- discussed the tight gas/power interaction and
eration of ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council how it leads to a need for smart gas transmisof Texas) pointed out that gas is now providing sion. Issues of concern are pricing structures,
44.6% of power use in ERCOT and represents communication protocols, and enhanced
57% of power generation capacity. The inter- nomination schedules. The interdependence
actions between these vital energy commodi- of gas and power is nowhere more vital than
ties are complex and both are affected by the during weather events such as hurricanes and
growing generation of power by wind. Gas is ice storms. Thomas Wooden, Spectra Energy,
the marginal fuel supply and electricity prices presented a case study on Spectras experience
providing natural gas for power in the Northtend to trend with it.
east during Hurricane Sandy. Another imporUp to 80 GW of coal capacity may retire by tant gas/power interface of great concern is the
use of power to drive compressors. Rob Krenz, Williams Gas pipeline, gave an update on a huge
facility which has been operating for several years.
A 15-member consortium has come together with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to develop guidelines for electric motor driven centrifugal compressors in pipeline applications and to
investigate operational reliability and life cycle costs of various commercially available electric
motor drive technologies. The results of this study were presented. The results of this study and
all presentations from this conference can be downloaded at www.gaselectricpartnership.com
In our recent survey, more than 74% of the oil and gas respondents reported debt-to-capital ratios
below 50%, with 40% reporting ratios of less than 25%. Both of these percentages declined, however,
from our October 2012 survey. Clearly, some oil and gas companies, as well as companies in general,
are choosing to shed some of their caution.
Eighty-five percent of oil and gas respondents now view credit availability as stable or improving.
Within this, the percentage of oil and gas companies seeing credit conditions loosening has increased
substantially.
Brogan concludes: Throughout the crisis and recovery period the oil and gas sector has proved remarkably resilient. Many companies have already taken advantage of improving credit conditions
to restructure their balance sheets but overall the industry remains conservative in this area. Going
forward we expect the sector to remain resilient both from an operational and an M&A perspective.
However, with expectations on forward price curves for oil and gas subject to increasing uncertainty
we can see that pricing is going to be a key issue in the transaction markets over the next six months.
p. 5
there is a net force on the impeller that acts toward to the suction
that is shall not be equal to the difference between the impeller suction pressure and the impeller discharge pressure applied over an
area equal to the impeller eye. This inequality is compensated by a
balance drum and /or balance line.
During a surge condition, the gas flows backwards through the impeller from the discharge to the suction. This cause the discharge
pressure to drop and the suction pressure to rise. This reversal in the
pressures causes the net thrust that is normally acting on the rotor
to reverse directions. During this cycle, the pressure change across
the impeller is proportional to the density of the gas and the impeller tip speed squared. This means that for a given compressor, the
surge event is more loud and clear with a gas of higher density and
the speed is higher. The more significant is the effect of speed being
squarely proportional. When a compressor is at very low speeds
(way out of bottom line of compressor speed line map), the effect of
surge shall not be severe.
Pressure Fluctuation during surge shall cause axial excursion. This
can be well understood by axial loading directional diagram as
shown below during normal design range flow conditions for a
typical back to back compressor. [1]
p. 6
A rotor rub will lead to high vibration during coast down at machine critical speed, which did not occur.
Change in machine behavior during surge - Usually surge is limited
to be identified with excessive rotor excursion / vibration and audible cat scream sound yet there are cases when surge was not
audible yet occurred and caused damage to the machine. Generally onset of surge causes fluctuation of temperature, differential
pressure fluctuation with a high order and change in rotor axial position. Monitoring first three parameters, require smart and special
type of transmitters.
High pressure compressor onset of surge is accompanied by a low
frequency asynchronous vibration which are detected when the
surge energy is quite high. If the Compressor train is driven with
a speed increasing gear box, the pinion being the lightest part of
system can demonstrate some excitation in low frequency regime
and a spectrum can easily reveal the symptom.
p. 7
The proposed scheme requires a microprocessor with a good scanning time with a logic box, a counter, a high value gate, signal
booster and charge amplifier to amplify gear box casing / compressor casing vibration.
If this happens and the compressor is operated at a turndown condition, there is risk that compressor could drift into surge without
the operator knowing about it, which could lead to a machine failure. Monitoring compressor performance is therefore important to
not only ensure efficient compressor operation, but also to protect
against operating the machine in surge.
If the unit uses a speed increaser gear box, a low frequency accelerometer can pick up the vibration as pinion is the lightest part in
transmission. It must use Piezoelectric Transducer, shall be capable
of overcoming monitor noise shall be less sensitive to strain. [4]
Measurement and monitoring of axial vibration. It has been observed that axial vibration do occur during surge. To measure axial
vibration needs shaft end face minimum surface finish must be in
compliance with API 670 latest edition where maximum ARH of
1 micron is allowed. Besides this , there are other issues like misalignment and bent shaft which may cause axial vibration at 1 and
2 times operating frequencies and create a confusion in diagnosis.
Rotor speed and the coupling type/stiffness have a strong effect on
the vibration spectra. The level and type of misalignment had a
significant effect on the vibration signature. Due to inadequate data
the effects of machine dynamic stiffness can not be quantified ..Filtering the axial vibration value at particular frequency from direct
axial vibration reading may need human interface.
Monitoring Axial excursion level and rate of Rotor. The rotor excursion during surge is dependant on dynamic pulsation of machine
which then is a function of gas density and Square of rotor peripheral speed.
The schematic diagram of proposed early warning system of surge
is illustrated in Figure 6 (top, right).
Where CV1= Gear Box casing vibration measured particularly
at Low Frequency .
CV2 = Casing vibration measured with a band pass filter (
should be used as Diagnostic tool to baseline the other input
values to firm up a Logic )
Z1 & Z2 = axial displacement measured by dual probes preferably with a signal booster.
Z0 = difference between Z1 & Z2. This value shall be counted
with a timer. S is the microprocessor.
p. 8
The Microprocessor S1 shall be armed just after compressor crosses the 1st Critical speed or 60% of deign speed (base speed). Then
it will start reading Z1 and Z2 (both in microns) and a calculation
block shall calculate difference between Z1 and Z2 (a dimensionless value). It parralelly checks if Z (overall excursion) has crossed
a preset limit of A. If the Z remains greater than A for count of more
than M during a measuring span of 2 seconds, Microprocessor shall
trigger an alarm.
Advantages The proposed scheme avoids human interface to interpret Surge with maximum extent.
These two invariants shall pass the high value gate and one of them
shall be accompanied with counter output to annuciate an alarm
or trip .
The logic box shall attenuate an alarm if number of axial position
of rotor shift is more than Z0 micron counts exceeds A in 2 seconds.
Axial position transducers shall be measuring element. The value
of 2 sec is based on numerous vendor experience that compressor
can withstand a surge for 2 seconds with surge event counting of 2.
References
1. Compressor Handbook by W.E.Frosthoffer
2. Increased Flexibility of Turbo-Compressors in Natural Gas Transmission Through Direct Surge Control by Robert McKee, Shane Siebenaler
& Danny Deffenbaugh-Southwest Research Institute
3. Application Guideline for Centrifugal Compressor Surge Control Systems by Klaus Brun & Marybeth Nored-Southwest Research Institute
4. Papers on Non Synchronous Forced Vibration by D.R. Smith & J.C.
Wachel
5. Product Catalog Wilcoxon
6. Articles by Late Dr. Donald Bently on Rotating Stall
p. 9
Business Briefs
ESG Solutions Announces Successful Expansion of Surface-based Regional Monitoring System for Induced Seismicity
CALGARY, Alberta - ESG Solutions, an industry leader in microseismic technology and services,
is pleased to announce the successful expansion of a near-surface seismic monitoring system in
Western Canada. Initially installed in 2012 to monitor any potential larger magnitude induced
seismicity during hydraulic fracturing operations, the system was recently expanded to provide
greater monitoring range spanning multiple well pads.
In response to increased concern surrounding subsurface injections and induced seismicity,
many operators are taking the initiative to better understand the response of unconventional reservoirs to hydraulic fracture stimulations, especially in the presence of nearby geological structures. ESGs near-surface regional seismic solution encompasses an array of ESG manufactured
surface-based sensors optimized for seismic detection between M0 and M+4. Operators are
looking for a reliable, cost-effective solution to help them understand the triggering mechanisms
of seismicity detected near injection operations, says Dr. Ted Urbancic, EVP of Global Energy
Services at ESG. ESG has been collecting and analyzing induced seismic data for 20 years. This
experience gives us the knowledge to integrate site-specific seismic data with existing regional
networks and decode the trigger mechanisms associated with that seismicity.
Continuous passive seismic data from the near-surface array is collected using ESGs 32-bit, high
resolution, low noise Paladin digital seismic recorder and the data is integrated seamlessly with
ESGs Hyperion Seismic Software Suite for accurate processing and analysis. ESG manufactures
equipment and develops software in-house. Depending on the customers needs, we can utilize
third party components for less cost to the client, or custom design and build seismic systems for
each site so that operators have access to the accurate and timely information required to make
operational decisions, says Urbancic.
Prior to its recent expansion, the regional seismic array deployed to monitor operations in a Canadian shale play had detected hundreds of events above magnitude 0. By extending the monitoring range to cover additional regions of the field, operators hope to further understand the way
in which the reservoir is responding to stimulation activities, and ultimately maximize production
from the field. Surface-based regional seismic arrays can complement downhole microseismic
monitoring, integrate with established regional seismic networks or be used independently to
establish a baseline for local seismicity, to better characterize nearby faults or provide a means of
alerting operators to abnormal induced seismicity.
A number of similar ESG near-surface arrays are currently in operation throughout the world
for applications as diverse as natural gas storage, waste injection, reservoir impoundment, carbon sequestration, coal-bed methane and mining operations. ESG designs and manufactures its
own permanent microseismic instrumentation for longer-term reservoir stimulations and surfacebased regional seismic networks in addition to providing wireline data acquisition, processing
and advanced analytics for hydraulic fracturing.
Caterpillar Unveils Well Stimulation Pumps and Releases Dynamic Gas Blending Retrofit Kit for Well Stimulation Applications
Well Stimulation Pumps Unveiled at OTC
Caterpillar Global Petroleum is pleased to announce the launch of Cat Well Stimulation
Pumps for the well service market. Starting in
May 2013, Caterpillar will begin accepting
orders for the Cat WS223, a 2250 bhp (1678
bkW) triplex well stimulation pump, as well as
the Cat WS255, a 2500 bhp (1864 bkW) quintuplex well stimulation pump. In addition to
offering the complete pump for well service
customers, Caterpillar will offer a variety of
8 and 10 stroke fluid ends individually. A
2700hp triplex pump, available in late 2013,
will be on display along with several fluid end
models at the Caterpillar booth #3341 at OTC The new Cat well stimulation pumps will be
distributed, sold and supported through the
2013, May 6th 9th in Houston, Texas.
worldwide Cat dealer network with trained
At Caterpillar, our goal is to provide the most technicians to ensure service support is never
reliable and durable power solutions for the out of reach.
Well Service and Pressure Pumping market.
By adding the well stimulation pumps to our Dynamic Gas Blending Retrofit Kit for Well
portfolio of offerings we are able to provide a Stimulation Applications Released
more comprehensive pressure pumping solution for our customers, Mark Helgren, Cat- Houston, Texas Caterpillar Global Petroerpillar Global Petroleum-integration man- leum today announced that it has developed
ager stated. Our customers, who have been a Dynamic Gas Blending (DGB) retrofit kit
pleased with our engines and transmissions, for use on the Cat 3512C (HD) engine used
will be able to readily implement the Cat well in well stimulation applications. Available
stimulation pumps into their operations with to order in June 2013, this system will allow
the utmost confidence in their performance for maximum substitution of diesel fuel with
natural gas during high pressure pumping opand Cat Dealer support.
p. 10
the combined muffler and Cat Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) included in the DGB kit.
The system is capable of achieving maximum
substitution at various speeds and loads over
the full operating range, and will automaticalHeavily leveraging decades of success with ly adjust to changes in gas quality without the
Cat natural gas engines and the recent intro- need to perform any recalibration or adjustduction of the Cat DGB system for land drill- ments to the system during or between jobs.
ing and production, the Cat well stimulation
DGB system makes no compromise with per- The DGB system is fully integrated with the
formance, safety, and reliability while burn- engine control system, optimizing engine pering a mixture of diesel and natural gas fuels. formance and ensuring that the engine always
Through our product development work in operates within safe parameters while blendthe field with some of the leading well servic- ing diesel and natural gas. This results in no
ing companies, the Cat DGB system has per- compromise with performance, maintenance
formed exceptionally well. User feedback has intervals, engine reliability, and most imporbeen very positive with ease of installation, tantly, safety. Installation of the Cat DGB kit
engine performance, and the integrated safety on existing engines is streamlined through
features of the Cat DGB system, said Scott efficient design. The combined muffler and
Roberts, Caterpillar Global Petroleum Well DOC eliminates the need for the customer to
integrate a DOC with their existing mufflers,
Service Product Marketing Manager.
and a single advanced Engine Control Unit
Along with the benefit of realizing significant simplifies the electrical system.
fuel cost savings by substituting diesel fuel
with natural gas, there are several other key
features of the Caterpillar DGB system that
make it a winning solution for well stimulation. Operators can run the system with confidence on CNG, LNG, and field gas with a
lower heating value between 850 and 1,250
Btu, knowing that the engine is maintaining
United States EPA Tier 2 level emissions with
erations, and is available in both Air To Air
After Cooled (ATAAC) and Separate Circuit
After Cooled (SCAC) configurations for 2250
hp and 2500 hp @1900rpm ratings.
field services
email: info@c-p-i.com
email: lube-systems@c-p-i.com
www.c-p-i.com
www.c-p-i.com
Business Briefs
New Database At Colorado State University
Tracks Energy Legislation In All 50 States
The database has been developed in collaboration with Advanced Energy Economy (AEE),
a national business organization representing
the entire advanced energy industry, from
wind, hydro, solar, and natural gas to efficiency and electric vehicles.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado State Universitys Center for the New Energy Economy
(CNEE) today announced the rollout of the
Advanced Energy Legislation (AEL) Tracker
a new online database of energy-related state
legislation pending in all 50 states, from solar
to natural gas and everything in between. This
first-of-its-kind database, created in partnership with Advanced Energy Economy (AEE),
will also enable CNEE to conduct analysis of
trends in state energy legislation.
Fifth Year in a Row Utility Recognized by Di- Eugene Dubay, Chief Executive Officer of the
Partnership, commented, As I mentioned in
versityInc as a Leader in Diversity
the initial announcement, we are very excited
Based on information available only in AEL SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas and Electric about this acquisition of TEAK Midstream.
Company (PG&E) has been recognized by Di- This is the right entry point into the Eagle Ford
Tracker:
Nearly 25 percent of pending state ener- versityInc as one of the top regional utilities in with the right infrastructure and with tremengy legislation call for new financing tools the country for its strong diversity practices. dous future growth potential. After success including tax incentives for the instal- This is the fifth year in a row that the utility fully executing organic growth across all of
has been recognized by DiversityInc, a lead- our legacy systems, we look forward to doing
lation of energy facilities;
the same with our new Eagle Ford assets.
Roughly 21 percent of pending bills pro- ing publication on diversity and businesses.
mote development of clean energy sourcIt is clear that U.S. companies are increasing- Upon the closing of this transaction, the Partneres; and
About 8 percent encourages adoption ly conscious of the importance of diversity, ship will own 100% of the following TEAK assets:
200 MMcfd of cryogenic processing caof energy-efficient appliances, building said Luke Visconti, Chief Executive Officer of
pacity (Silver Oak I);
codes and practices the low-hanging DiversityInc. We are very encouraged to see
A second 200 MMcfd cryogenic processPG&E applying for this distinction. We also
fruit in Americas energy supply chain.
ing facility to be in service in the first
note a continued positive correlation between
quarter of 2014 (Silver Oak II);
The Centers first trend analysis is on energy achievement in diversity and overall company
265 miles of primarily 20 to 24 gatherefficiency, entitled Rediscovering the First performance.
ing and residue lines with 750 MMcfd of
Fuel. The Center expects to publish 2-3 trend
throughput capacity; and
analyses per month and will next publish a For the 2013 ranking, DiversityInc surveyed
275 miles of low pressure gathering lines
white paper on financing of advanced energy. 893 companies with at least 1,000 employ-
CORESymposium.com
-- continued next page
p. 12
Compression requirements
Compressor
Evaluation
Performance
Control
Pulsation
Control
Systems
assets.
Compressor
Component
Engineering
Engineering Analysis
Business Briefs
-- continued
family and his employees as they were to him. Most of the employees hired by Earl in the early
days spent their entire careers with him and even their children work with the company to this
day. Earl enjoyed working alongside his people and watching them succeed.
Earl deeply loved the land and the beauty of the American West. He looked for every opportunity to spend time at the ranch working the fields, cattle and crops and being surrounded by
the natural beauty of Gods creations. Many of his business ventures were centered on creating
something from nothing, making improvements, and building from beautiful natural materials.
When planning the Grand America Hotel he personally traveled to Bethel, Vermont to select
the granite for the project. He was fascinated by the possibilities found in nature, from drilling
for oil to preserving a stand of trees on a ski run.
Earls tireless efforts on behalf of the Olympics helped bring the 2002 Winter Games to Salt
Lake City. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Olympics believing the Games stood for the
ideals of athletic excellence and international cooperation.
Earl is survived by his wife, Carol, their three children, Anne, Kathleen, and Stephen, their
spouses, twelve grandchildren, his brother, Ralph, and many extended family members, busiDespite his business success, Earl never forgot that it was the people he worked with who made ness associates and friends who were just like part of the family. He was predeceased by his
the difference. He often remarked that you do business with your friends. He inspired those parents, his sister, Helen Jean, and his close business partner and childhood friend, Kenneth
around him to give their best efforts, and then, even a little more. He was as fiercely loyal to his Y. Knight.
-- continued next page
p. 13
Business Briefs
-- continued
p. 14
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