1.

INTRODUCTION
Natural gas balance in Colombia
NG Marketing and Distributing companies
2. TECHNICAL DETAILS
Natural Gas Quality Specifications
Required Infrastructure for NG reception
3. DEFINITIONS
5. NETWORK DESIGNS
6. GAS NETWORK CALCULATION
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 NATURAL GAS

Reduced
Low level
Security Rentability frecuency of
contamination
maintenance

Chemical
Hydrocarbon Range(%)
Composition
Methane CH4 91-95
Ethane C2H6 2-6

Carbon Dioxide CO2 0-2

Propane C3H8 0-2

Nitrogen N 0-1
GAS QUALITY CERTIFICATION Specifications English Units
Maximum Gross Heating Value (GHV) 1.150 BTU/ft3
Minimum Gross Heating Value (GHV) 950 BTU/ft3
Liquid Content Liquid Free
Maximum H2S total content 0.25 grain/100SCF

Maximum total Sulfur content 1.0 grain/100SCF

Maximum CO2 content , volumen % 2%

Before NG transportation, it is odorized with
substances of a, volumen
Maximum N2 content strong% and typical scent
3

(mercaptan). This
Maximum Inert is a, security
content volumen % measure to 5%alert about
eventual leaks.
Maximum O2 content , volumen % 0.1%

Maximum steam content 6.0 Lb/MSCF

Maximum delivery temperature 120F

Minimum delivery temperature 45 F

Maximum suspended solid and fine grain content

3 0.7 grrain/1000 CF

Natural Gas Quality Specifications. Source CREG

 GENERALITIES

The country currently has more than twelve fields located in 4 regions, which are:
Santander, Costa Atlantica, Llanos Orientales y Huila Tolima .

This is a fuel that is distributed by means of pipes underground, that arrive until its house.

Natural gas is used for domestic consumption, industrial fuel and automotive.

The natural gas has no odor, however a THT and TBM substance is added, so that you
can recognize it and take preventive measures if you feel the smell.

Being its molecular weight smaller than that of the air, the natural gas tends to be
4
located in the high parts, facilitating its exit to the atmosphere.
Domestic
USES :
Vehicles Thermoelectric

commercial
Petrochemical
Industrial

5
 COMMERCIALIZATION

DISTRIBUTION

TRANSPORT

PRODUCTION

NATURAL GAS PROCESS

6
GAS TRANSPORT NETWORK
Costa Atlntica : Guajira,
Crdoba y Sucre.
Center: Conformed by the trunk
that makes the connection of
the fields of the Guajira until
Barrancabermeja and its
branches
Inside: Casanare, Meta , Tolima
Huila and others like:
Villavicencio, Neiva , Medelln, y
Bogota

7
GAS SECTOR REGULATION IN COLOMBIA

8
 DISTRIBUCIN DE RESERVAS PROBADAS
Valle Medio Otras
2% 5%
Guajira
Valle Inferior 23%
12%
31 DECEMBER 2014

Proven reserves Probable reserves Possible reserves

4.758,51 GPC 866,41 GPC 290,03 GPC

TOTAL 5914,96 GPC

Llanos Orientales
58%

- Natural gas reserves behavior. Source ANH

 In recent
Basin years, natural gas discoveries
Production camps have been
mentioned in the Colombian
Catatumbo Cerrito,offshore, suchTib
Oripaya, Sardinata, as the
findings
Cordillera Oriental of the Orca-1 wellGuaduas,
Gibraltar, on the Tayrona block
Palagua
(in the Guajira waters) and Kronos on the North
Guajira Ballena, Chuchupa
Apiay, Calona, Campo Rico, Carmentea, Centauro, Cupiagua,
Fuerte
Llanos Orientales
block, closeFlorea,
Cusiana, to the gulf of
Kananaskis, La Morrosquillo,
Casona, La Estancia,also
La
Punta, Pauto Sur, Ramiriqui, Santo Domingo centro, Santo
in the Caribbean, without having a real potential
Domingo Juape, Santo Domingo Norte, Vigia y Vigia sur.
to quantify the volume of natural gas and
Valle Inferior del Arianna, Bonga, Bullerengue, Caa Flecha, Cicuco, Clarinete, EL
because Dificil,
Magdalena theyKatana,
are located
La Creciente, inMamey,
deep andPalmer,
Nelson, ultra-deep
Pedernalito.
waters, Caramelo,
if theCompae, reserves materialize, their
Corazn, Corazn 9, Corazn West, Corazn
Valledevelopment
Medio del West C,and
La Cira start
Infanta, of operation
La Salina, could
Liebre, Lisama, take
llanito, Opn,
Magdalena
less than six years.
Payoa, Payoa West, Provincia, Puli, Toposi, Toqui Toqui y Yarigui
Cantagallo.
Valle Superior del Arrayan, Dina Terciario, La Caada Norte, La Hocha, Mana,
Magdalena Matachin Norte y Sur, Rio Opia, Santa Clara
Distribucin de los campos de produccin segn cuencas.
Source Ministerio de Minas y Energa 2016
Natural gas producction. Source CONCENTRA
SECTOR RESIDENCIAL
7.9 890 MPCD
millones 17 m^3
de mensuales
hogares
Growth in theCombustible
numberbyofsectors.
Demand homes
Gas coverage
with natural
Source 2015.
UPME gas service.
Source Ministerio
Source UPME
de Minas y Energa
CRITERIA FOR URBAN NETWORK
DESIGN

General knowledge of the municipality or metropolitan area.

Planning and organization of the project.

Building.

operation and maintenance.

The natural gas normally is Its the delivery station for natural gas and the
Its location must be outside of the town centhre
of the municipality and as established by the
transported until it reaches themark from which theTechnical
Colombian network drifts the
Norm, NTC 3949.
distribution for domestic gas in the municipality.
distribution systems which deliver
the gas to the inner installation of
each user, through the gas In order
Well to execute
Treatment
Plant
the
The pressures connection
handled by the City of
range from 250 psi to 300 psi with a
Gate the

distribution network required

pipeline, from the operating fields to the City
60 psi for Gate,network.
the distribution it is
and treatment plants until the necessary to have the authorization of the owner
Gas pipeline
City gate stations. of the gas pipeline and the permits and liscenses
City Gate established in article The 46 of Ley
distribution 142
network from 1994.
is attached at this
mark and from there it supplies the gas through
the network.
City Gate
 Low it applies to manometric measurements that are below 1 psig.
Pressure

Intermed Pressure range between 1 psig and below 70 psig

iate
Pressure

High Pressure range between 70 psig and 299 psig

Pressure

Very Pressure measurement of 299psig and above.

High
Pressure
 It is the combination of pipe lines and
A home
They are made network
up ofis rings
an that Composed by accessories
polyethiylene a system ofof
infrastructure
match the composed
consumptionof a level pipelines
intermediate and
density polyethylene
operated at
main
observedline,in as
the well
applesas that
the make accessories of
intermediate intermediate
pressure density
that drifts from
necessary
up the net,inner installations
the number of ringed operated
the main line at whichanclose
intermediate
the circuit.
to deliver
apples whosethe number
combustible
could vary pressure
From these and constituted
rings the gas between
deliver is
gas to its users.
between 6 to 9. the storage
made to the station
users andwith thethe
regulation of supply
corresponding poly-valves which
connection.
Noallow
markits connection
will have a with eachbelow
pressure net.
20 psi.
Polyethylene pipeline drift of
intermediate density, operated at
Pipeline installation which takes
intermediate pressure which
the gas from the supply line to the
deliver the natural gas from the
measurement centre and finally to
distribution rings to the individual
the household.
measurement center up into the
home
The pipelines used to the gas
displacement are made up of rigid or flexible
Carbon steel
copper
materials which the gas wont eat
away not even by the outside
environment which stays in
contact with them or in which case
it is coated with substances which
guarantee its protection.}
Corrugated
Aluminum alloys
stainless steel
 The pipelines joints and accesories of Steel should be by thread, flange or
welding which guarantees hermeticism.

When different material pipelines are joined, it should be through insulating

electrical joints in order to prevent corrosion to one of the two metals.

Metal pipelines should always be made of linear sections and never should they
be bended nor curved.
 The pipelines used in the main lines,
rings and supply lines should be
made of polyethylene.

Usual used diameters

Main Lines Rings Home supply lines
90 mm 160 mm 25 mm - 63 mm 20 mm
The polyethylene pipelines are regulated by the ICONTEC 1746 norm, whose objective is to
establish the requisites that must meet the polyethylene tubes to displace pressured gases.

Nominal Labor Pressures

Chracteristics:
Reference RDE Pressure (PSI)
Bear ultraviolet rays. PE 80 9 90
Designed to work underground at 20C. PE 80 11 70
A 50 year lifespan
PE 100 11 91
Before the polyethylene pipelines are used, samples are gathered randomly,
they are filled with wter and they are subdued to the proper pressure
depending on its size. Following the 1000 hours, they shouldnt:

pressure drop nesting

bursting filtering
All connections between
polyethylene pipelines should be
In order to guarantee no leaks. of the same material and with the
same specifications of such
pipeline.
Used accessories should guarantee the absence of pores or micro-pores to allow a complete
hermetic supply.

Aluminum Corrugated
Polyethylene Carbon steel Copper
alloys (CSST)

NTC- ANSI NTC- MIL-F- NTC-

1746 B16 478 52618 C 4137

ASTM ASTM- NTC- NTC-

F-1055 A47 1575 4138
 Q : CF/hr
Py Berward
Jhonson L Tb : Base Temperature, R
d
Pb : Base pressure, psi
P1 : Entry pressure, psi
Tb ( P1 P 2) * d 5 P2 : Exit Pressure, psi
Q 1,6156 D : Internal diameter, Inches
GE : Specific Gravity
Pb GE * Tf * L * f Tf : Average Temperature of the gas, R
Qg L : Pipeline length, miles
f : Friction Coefficient
Newtonian fluid
Single-phase flow
Stable flow along the pipeline.

T P
The temperatura of the gas is constant.
Horizontalbpipeline b
The gas compressability is constant.
There is no heat transfer between the gas and its surroundings
The change of the kinetic energy of the gas between the entry and exit are negligible.
There is no compression stage during the passing of the pipeline.
The f factor is the decisive factor for the flow rate; how it is
evaluated will depend the answer.

Numerous researchers have studied this factor, and its

definition is classified under the following 4 terms:

Inner
Reynolds
Numerical pipeline Re and d
number
constant diameter function.
function
function
Numerical
Constant
Pipeline
inner
diameter
function
Reynolds
number
function
 Re and d
function.

Thomas R Weymouth was one
of the firts on develop an
ecuation for gas flow that
razonably leds calculate the
inner diameter required in gas
flow pipelines.
Tb ( P1 P 2) * d 5
Q 1,6156
Pb GE * Tf * L * f
Q = CF/D
G = Specific Gravity
P1 = Psi
P2= PSi.
L = Pipeline Lenght, miles.
D = Inner diameter, Inch
 GOOD Pipelines <12 EXXON
for: 2 < D < 16 and low
GOOD M. Martnez
pressures
Completely Turbulent flow, and
GOOD IGT
D<20
Completely Turbulent flow, and
CONSERVATIVE IGT
intermediate pressure D<20
Not recommended for D<2
Q = KCF/hr 2 0,575
G = Specific Gravity
2,725 12 2
= 0,4937
P1 = Psi 0,425 0,150
P2= PSi.
L = Pipeline Lenght, ft.
D = Inner diameter, Inch
Tb= Base temparature, R
Tf= Average Temperature of the gas, R
= Viscocity, lbm/ft.sec
 0,575 2 2 0,575
2,725 12 22 1 2
= 0,4937 = 2,725
0,425 0,150

12 2 0,575
2
= = 12 22 0,575

0,575

(,)
C= K= . 2,725
, , ,

 0 ,5
3 h D 5
Q 3,04 x10 C
G L

Q = m3/hr Nominal Diameter

FACTOR C
G = Specific Gravity [inch]
P1 = Absolute Pressure, bar. 3/8 - 1,65
P2= Absolute Pressure, bar. 3/4 1 1,8
L = Pipeline Lenght, m.
1 -1 1,98
D = Inner diameter, mm
2 2,16
C = di ameter factor
3 2,34
4 2,42
 LOW PRESSURES DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

Recommended for D<4,

POLE IGT
Pressure <70 mbar o 1 Psi

Very good for service

derivations, short diameters,
MELLER copper or plastic pipelines. AGA
Normaly used for D<2" and
pressure >70 mbar o 1 psi
Calculation of pressure drop for only one pipeline requires just of the aplication of gas flow
ecuation.
As a consequence of the
interconnection between the
different sections, the gas can
flow from the source to the
consumption nodes, by
different routes and at
different flow rates. Therefore,
when talking about solving a
network, we want to specify
the calculation of the flow in
each section and the pressure
However, in a distribution system most of the pipes are interconnected, forming a network.
in each node.
It comes from a direct application of the laws of Kirchoff, which
establish the following:

In every node, the algebraic sum of the incoming and

outgoing flows is equal to zero.

In a closed circuit or network, the algebraic sum of the

charge losses is equal to zero.
The total head loss (h) for a certain pipe length (L) and a unit
head loss (a) is equal to:

Depending on the equation to be selected, the

Whereexponent
the resistance of the
n varies pipeline 1.75
between (r) is: and 2.0. In the
specific case of Weymouth, n = 2.0.
The procedure for closing gas networks is based on the
calculation of a setting (Qo) for a previously assigned flow
rate (Qo), in such a way that the new flow rate, in the referred
section, will be:

Qn Qo Qo
(Qn ) : Is the corrected flow rate
(Qo ) : Flow rate correction
(Qo ): Is the original flow assigned to the section
 1
Assuming that a flow rate (Qt) is Kirchoff
introduced into the network, law
intended to irrigate the system
and discharge through nodes
2, 3, and 4.
 The new flow rate in each section
will be the previous flow, plus the
algebraic value resulting from the
correction, as well

An initial gas distribution in the

Q12, Q23, Q43, and Q14 system
is chosen, and, based on this,
the flow correction factor
(Qo) is calculated.
The Kirchhoff Laws will remain valid on each of the network nodes. The total
head loss at the corrected flow rate shall be equal to:

And since (Qo) is a small value, the third term and the others can be
neglected and the value of h will be expressed in the form:

Sum of load losses in the network

In order to comply with the second law of Kirchhoff, the algebraic sum of the
charge losses must be equal to zero (h = 0), such that:
Using the Weymouth equation for the calculation of Q in each section:

P 2 K 2 * L * Q 2

h * L *Q n

n
Qi2 .Li
i
K 2
Q0 i 1n i
Qi .Li
2 2
i 1 K i
 Using the Meller equation for the calculation of Q in each section:

K 2 4023 40
Q= P12 P22 0,575 P = K L Q 23
L0,575

n
40
23
h * L *Q n
Qi .Li

i 1
i 40
23
Ki
Q0
n 17 n = 4023
40 Qi .Li

23

23 i 1 K 40 23 4023
i = K
 Is needed to install a gas network In a commercial sector composed of 2
meshes, 9 sections and 8 nodes. Assume a minimum pressure of 5 psi and
d=2.
10 KCFT A 492 ft B 410 ft C

1,4 2,3 1 1,3

5,6 Caractersticas del Gas:

230 ft
1,9

164 ft
4,4
2,1 Base Pressure: 14,7 psi
328 ft

I H II 1 Base T: 60 F
Flow T: 75 F

164 ft
0,3 G.E : 0.67

100 ft
0,7 0,2 2,1
3,7 1,7
1,8 D=2
=6,1152 x 10-6, lbm/ft.sec
G 492 ft F E
410 ft

Consumption in KCF/h, length in ft

 MALLA I
Tramo Qi (kcf) Li (ft) Q17/23 Q17/23.L Q40/23 Q40/23.L Qc
1 KCFT A 492 ft B AB 5,6000 492,0000 3,5728 1757,8169 20,0077 9843,7748 5,4370
0,14 BH 1,9000 164,0000 1,6071 263,5598 3,0534 500,7636 1,7370
0,56 FH -0,2000 164,0000 0,3043 49,9130 0,0609 -9,9826 -0,3630
0,19
GF -3,7000 492,0000 2,6301 1294,0179 9,7314 -4787,8663 -3,8630
164 ft

0,21
0,44 AG -4,4000 328,0000 2,9895 980,5490 13,1537 -4314,4156 -4,5630
328 ft

I H 4345,8566 1232,2739
164 ft

0.07 0,02 0,17 n

0,37

40
23
i Qi .Li
G F 1232,2739
492 ft
Q0 i 1
0.1630
40 n 17 23
40

23 i 1
Qi .Li (4345,8566)
23
 MALLA II
Tramo Qi (kcf) Li (ft) Q17/23 Q17/23.L Q40/23 Q40/23.L Qc
BC 2,3000 410,0000 1,8508 758,8360 4,2569 1745,3227 2,1360
B 410 ft C
CD 1,3000 230,0000 1,2140 279,2202 1,5782 362,9863 1,1360
0,14 0,23 0.1 0,13 DE 0,3000 100,0000 0,4107 41,0700 0,1232 12,3210 0,1360
FE -1,8000 410,0000 1,5441 633,0872 2,7794 -1139,5570 -1,9640
230 ft

0,19
164 ft

0,21
FH 0,3630 164,0000 0,4729 77,5523 0,1717 28,1547 0,3630
BH -1,7370 164,0000 1,5040 246,6490 2,6123 -428,4190 -1,7370
H II 0,1 2036,4147 580,8088
D
164 ft

0.03
100 ft

0,02 0,17 0,21 40
23
0,18
i Qi .Li
580.8088
F
410 ft
E Q0 i 1
0.1640
40 n 17 23
40

23 i 1
Qi .Li (2036.4147)
23
 MALLA I
Tramo Qi (kcf) Li (ft) Q17/23 Q17/23.L Q40/23 Q40/23.L Qc
1 KCFT A 492 ft B AB 5,4370 492,0000 3,4956 1719,8441 19,0055 9350,7200 5,4377
0,14 BH 1,7370 164,0000 1,5040 246,6490 2,6123 428,4190 1,7377
0,56 FH -0,3630 164,0000 0,4729 77,5523 0,1717 -28,1547 -0,3623
0,19 GF -3,8630 492,0000 2,7153 1335,9263 10,4893 -5160,7397 -3,8623
164 ft

0,21 AG -4,5630 328,0000 3,0710 1007,2769 14,0129 -4596,2470 -4,5623

0,44
328 ft

I H
4387,2487 -6,0024
164 ft

0.07 0,02 0,17 n

0,37

40
23
i Qi .Li
G F 580.8088
492 ft
Q0 i 1
0.00079
40 n 17 23
40

23 i 1
Qi .Li (2036.4147)
23
 MALLA II
Tramo Qi (kcf) Li (ft) Q17/23 Q17/23.L Q40/23 Q40/23.L Qc
BC 2,1360 410,0000 1,7523 718,4601 3,7430 1534,6333 2,1077
B 410 ft C CD 1,1360 230,0000 1,0988 252,7322 1,2483 287,1047 1,1077
0,14 DE 0,1360 100,0000 0,2289 22,8865 0,0311 3,1126 0,1077
0,23 0.1 0,13
FE -1,9640 410,0000 1,6469 675,2321 3,2345 -1326,1536 -1,9923
230 ft

0,19
FH -0,3623 164,0000 0,4721 77,4280 0,1710 28,0487 -0,3623
164 ft

0,21
BH 1,7377 164,0000 1,5045 246,7316 2,6144 -428,7565 1,7377
H II 0,1 1993,4707 97,9893
D
164 ft

0.03
100 ft

0,02 0,17 0,21 40
23
0,18
i Qi .Li
97.9893
F
410 ft
E Q0 i 1
0.00467
40 n 17 23
40

23 i 1
Qi .Li (1993.4707)
23
 MALLA II
Tramo Qi (kcf) Li (ft) Q17/23 Q17/23.L Q40/23 Q40/23.L Qc
BC 2,1031 410,0000 1,7323 710,2551 3,6432 1493,7138 2,1023
B 410 ft C CD 1,1031 230,0000 1,0752 247,2954 1,1860 272,7833 1,1023
DE 0,1031 100,0000 0,1865 18,6451 0,0192 1,9217 0,1023
0,14 0,23 0.1 0,13
FE -1,9969 410,0000 1,6673 683,5837 3,3294 -1365,0712 -1,9977
FH -0,3623 164,0000 0,4721 77,4280 0,1710 28,0487 -0,3623
230 ft

0,19
164 ft

0,21 BH 1,7377 164,0000 1,5045 246,7316 2,6144 -428,7565 1,7377

H II 0,1
1983,9390 2,6398
D
164 ft

0.03
100 ft

0,02 0,17 0,21 40
23
0,18
i Qi .Li
2.6398
F
410 ft
E Q0 i 1
0.00077
40 n 17 23 40

23 i 1
Qi .Li (1983.9390)
23
 (,)
C= K= . 2,725
, , ,

Caractersticas del Gas:

Base Pressure: 14,7 psi

Base T: 60F -- 520 R
Flow T: 75 F 535 R
S.G: 0.67
D=2
=6,1152 x 10-6, lbm/ft.sec
C= 3,383002514 K= 22,36706803
 4023 40
P2 =K L Q 23
At the end of the process the flows and
direction of flow in the sections were

Section Qi (kcf/hr) Q40/23 Li (ft) K40/23 Q40/23.L/K40/23 Node P (PSI)

EC 1,2061 1,38527566 330 222,4058411 2,055435983 C 5,12314125
CB 2,1031 3,64330491 410 222,4058411 6,71634794 B 5,7413347
BA 5,437 19,0057843 492 222,4058411 42,04406611 A 8,66065761
AG 4,563 14,0127236 328 222,4058411 20,66570422 G 7,37165423
GF 3,863 10,4891096 492 222,4058411 23,20371575 F 5,58010486
FE 1,9969 3,32934509 410 222,4058411 6,137570304 E 5

P1 P 2 P22 K= 22,36706803
At the end of the process the flows and
direction of flow in the sections were
10 KCFT A=8,66 psi 492 ft B=5,74 psi 410 ft C=5,12 psi

1,4 2,3 1 1,3

5,6

230 ft
1,9

164 ft
Node P (PSI) 2,1
C 5,12314125 4,4

328 ft
I H II 1
B 5,7413347
A 8,66065761 0,3

100 ft
0,7 0,2
G 7,37165423 3,7 1,7
1,8
2,1

F 5,58010486
G=7,37 psi F=5,58 E=5 psi
E 5 492 ft 410 ft
 EPM, Colombia. Gua diseo de redes de gas EPM
http://www.epm.com.co/site/

Balance de Gas Natural en Colombia 2016-2025, Disponible en:

http://www1.upme.gov.co/sala-de-prensa/noticias/balance-de-gas-natural-en-colombia-
2016-2025

Clculo de tuberas y redes de gas, Marcas J. Martinez, Dr, Universidad de Zulia,

Venezuela. 2007. Disponible en: http://catalogo.luz.edu.ve/cgi-bin/koha/opac-
detail.pl?biblionumber=18245

Manual tubusistemas conduccin gas, PAVCO, Colombia. Disponible en: Pavco.com

PROYECTO DE MASIFICACION DEL GAS NATURAL DOMICILIARIO PARA ALGUNOS MUNICIPIOS DEL
SUR DE SANTANDER ENTRE ELLOS: BARBOSA, BOLIVAR, CHIPATA Y SUCRE, HENRY MATEUS FLOREZ,
2004, tesis de grado para optar al titulo de Ingeniero de petrleos Colombia. Disponible en:
uis.edu.co