The client was producing 20 MMscf/d of natural gas but several new wells increased production potential by 4 MMscf/d. However, the existing gas gathering and compression system could not accommodate the full increase. GCC performed an audit of the system and modeled pipeline and compressor equipment. This identified modifications to allow production of the new capacity of 30 MMscf/d along with additional future capacity. GCC's redesign of the gathering system and reallocation of compression resources allowed the client to maintain 30 MMscf/d production while reducing annual costs by $800,000.

1. CASE STUDY: COMPRESSION FACILITY DESIGN
AUDIT and OPTIMIZATION
PROJECT OVERVIEW
One key area oŌen overlooked by producers is field producƟon aŌer new wells
have brought flush producƟon into an exisƟng system, an example that happens
repeatedly. Our hypotheƟcal client is producing 20 MMscf/d and brings in several
new wells that test at an addiƟonal 4 MMscf/d. The logical thought process is that
now the producer will move 24 MMscf/d, however this rarely happens. In most
cases, the increased producƟon will only add 1‐2 MMscf/d. Several reasons
aƩribute to this phenomenon, the majority of which are directly Ɵed into the
operaƟon and design of the exisƟng gathering and compression systems
ACTION
An audit of the exisƟng low pressure CBM
system with the incorporaƟon of hydraulic
modeling of their pipeline and compression
equipment for the planned future producƟon
provided the necessary system modificaƟons
to allow for full producƟon of the new capac‐ity.
The client was planning to add 6000 Hp of
compression to meet the sales agreement
requirements of 30 MMscf/d. Current sales
were only at 27,500 MMscf/d. The client
uƟlized 6000 Hp of four @ 4 stage electric
drive compressors and 10000 Hp of five 2
and 3 stage gas drive compressors
RESULT
GCC provided a mulƟ‐field gathering and compression audit/white paper. The
tesƟng of wells and segments of the gathering system supplied proof that addi‐
Ɵonal producƟon capability was available. GCC modeled and redesigned the
gathering pipe and reallocated compression and process resources. This allowed
our client to maintain their 30 MMscf/d CBM producƟon, have the unrestricted
capability for an addiƟonal 10.0 MMscf/d for their planned future drilling program,
while also reducing lease and operaƟon costs over $800,000.00/yr.
Project at a Glance
LocaƟon —
Type Audit & OpƟmizaƟon
IniƟal Capacity 20 MMscf/d
Final Capacity
30 MMscf/d (+ addiƟonal
capability of 10.0 MMscf/d)
Overall Savings: $800,000*
*in Lease and operaƟng cost
GCC INC.
4725 S MONACO STREET
SUITE 360
DENVER, COLORADO 80237
303.400.4300 MAIN OFFICE
WWW.GCCINC.US
For more informaƟon contact:
ANDREW HARRAH
720.352.8586 Mobile
303.325.2075 Office
aharrah@gccinc.us
“GCC has provided valuable
gathering and compressor operaƟon
modeling, staƟon engineering,
sourced our producƟon equipment
and compressors. GCC’s assistance
has substanƟally enhanced our
producƟon while providing direct
cost savings to our operaƟons. ”
‐Aubrey Harper, President, Eastern
Washakie Midstream