Siemens Enters Permian Gas Processing Market With Innovative Electric-Drive Centrifugal Compression Solution

• Fully integrated electric-drive centrifugal compression configuration will significantly reduce footprint, capital, and operating costs
• Project marks this Delaware Basin gas plant customer’s first order with Siemens

Siemens was recently awarded a contract to provide three residue compression trains for two, 250 million (500 million total) standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) cryogenic gas plants in the Delaware Basin. The customer, a key producer in the region and long-term user of reciprocating compression equipment, recognized the benefits of centrifugal compression and looked to Siemens for a fully integrated, turnkey solution that includes compressors, motors, variable frequency drives, and associated process equipment.

Each train consists of a 22,000 horsepower (hp) motor, gearbox, and multi-stage Dresser-Rand® DATUM centrifugal compressor, all mounted onto a single skid. The compressors, motors, and drives will all be built by Siemens in the USA and is scheduled for commissioning the latter part of 2020.

Mid-size gas treatment plants traditionally use reciprocating compressors driven by electric motors or gas engines. However, with the increase in production from shale plays, larger gas plants – in the range of 200-300 MMSCFD – are being constructed, forcing gas processing companies to consider alternative compression solutions in order to reduce costs, footprint, and maintenance.

While the traditional approach would require 10 large reciprocating units for this project, Siemens’ centrifugal compressor solution met the entire plant duty for this two x 250 MMSCFD project using just three compression units while ensuring low turndown capability. The plot space and the ancillary infrastructure – such as foundations, piping, wiring, cabling and electrical systems – was also remarkably reduced resulting in significant capital cost savings for the customer.

The high efficiency of the DATUM compressors, coupled with their easy maintenance, was a major factor for selecting this configuration. With a DATUM fleet availability of more than 99.7%, the plant will have minimum downtime despite the un-spared compressor configuration and will ensure minimal loss of production, bringing significant value to the customer in meeting contractual production guarantees.

“This project is an excellent example of Siemens’ ability to offer its customers a complete integrated solution,” said Patrice Laporte, Vice President of Oil and Gas for Siemens America. “This customer is one of the largest shale gas players in the Permian Basin and this is their first order with us. For them to switch from their traditional approach to our proposed solution lends testament to their confidence in our understanding their needs and having the technical expertise to offer a customized, innovative offering,” Laporte added.

For more information on centrifugal compressors, visit https://sie.ag/2X9UfSV

For more information on Siemens electric motors, visit https://sie.ag/2K9XqGl

About Siemens Gas and Power (GP)
Siemens Gas and Power (GP) is a global pacesetter in energy, helping customers to meet the evolving demands of today’s industries and societies. GP comprises broad competencies across the entire energy value chain and offers a uniquely comprehensive portfolio for utilities, independent power producers, transmission system operators and the oil and gas industry. Products, solutions and services address the extraction, processing and the transport of oil and gas as well as power generation in central and distributed thermal power plants and power transmission in grids. With global headquarters in Houston in the U.S. and more than 64,000 employees in over 80 countries, Siemens Gas and Power has a presence across the globe and is a leading innovator for the energy systems of today and tomorrow, as it has been for more than 150 years.

About Siemens AG
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 170 years. The company is active around the globe, focusing on the areas of power generation and distribution, intelligent infrastructure for buildings and distributed energy systems, and automation and digitalization in the process and manufacturing industries. Through the separately managed company Siemens Mobility, a leading supplier of smart mobility solutions for rail and road transport, Siemens is shaping the world market for passenger and freight services. Due to its majority stakes in the publicly listed companies Siemens Healthineers AG and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Siemens is also a world-leading supplier of medical technology and digital healthcare services as well as environmentally friendly solutions for onshore and offshore wind power generation. In fiscal 2018, which ended on September 30, 2018, Siemens generated revenue of €83.0B and net income of €6.1B. At the end of September 2018, the company had around 379,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit www.siemens.com.