With 30+ degrees Celsius, it was actually too hot to walk around the Gas Treatment Installation (GBI) in Den Helder in fire-resistant coveralls, safety helmet, boots, goggles and gloves for an hour, but the KIVI members present from the North Holland and Oil and Gas Technology Departments were happy to oblige! The GBI is operated by the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) on behalf of the various companies producing gas in the North Sea.

After the sandwich lunch and introductory presentation, the visit began in the Central Control Room (CCK), where not only the GBI itself but also the offshore NAM platforms are monitored and controlled outside normal working hours. It was then walked past the 3 different gas systems (high and low calorific + NOGAT = Northern Offshore Gas Transport, which even connects to Danish and German gas fields), from gulp trap via inlet and low temperature liquid separators, heat exchangers, cooling compressors, etc to the outgoing fiscal flow meters, where ownership of the gas passes to Gasunie. There are also extensive supporting facilities, including for the collection, stabilisation, storage and discharge by barge of the separated hydrocarbon condensate + for the re-drying of the glycol used as antifreeze + for the capture of small mercury streams + for the flare system that ensures rapid pressure release from the GBI in emergencies.

Since 1974, the so-called Small Fields Policy has been implemented in the Netherlands to spare the large Slochteren gas field for as long as possible. Since a significant part of these small gas fields lie under the North Sea, the GBI was originally designed for high gas treatment capacity: as of 1992, after the completion of the NOGAT system, the total installed capacity is 91 million m3 per day. The challenge for NAM is therefore to utilise the existing sites and facilities as long and efficiently as possible, not only of the onshore GBI, but also of the extensive offshore pipeline systems and large numbers of platforms.

To make use of the many years of engineering experience among the KIVI members present, an hour of small-group brainstorming on the case study 'Vision Den Helder 2030' followed the site visit. This included both conventional - such as possible short-term (process) improvements - and non-conventional proposals. For the medium and long term, existing GBI components could be replaced by e.g. sustainable forms of energy generation and/or exporting CO2 for storage in empty offshore gas fields. To make the range of possibilities as wide as possible, cooperation with external parties, including those outside the oil and gas industry, was warmly recommended. One example in this was that the existing CCK and associated infrastructure could perhaps be used for other systems/customers such as onshore or offshore wind farms.

This interactive session was greatly appreciated by both NAM hosts and KIVI visitors, making it a satisfying conclusion to a great afternoon.

Description

The North Holland Region of the KIVI cordially invites you to visit the Gas Treatment Installation (GBI) of the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) in Den Helder, where natural gas extracted from the North Sea comes ashore and is treated before it can be distributed through the Gasunie network to provide energy to industry and heat our homes. With a treatment capacity of 91 million m3 of gas per day, this plant is one of the largest in the world. A 50-50 joint venture between Shell and ExxonMobil, NAM operates the GBI Den Helder for various parties producing natural gas in the North Sea.

It is not often at the GBI Den Helder that such a large group of external engineers is present. Engineers with years of experience and still plenty of good ideas, ideas that might otherwise remain on the shelf. GBI Den Helder would therefore like to make KIVI's visit interactive and to facilitate this, a case study has been devised: Vision Den Helder 2030. During this case, you will work in a team on ideas on how GBI Den Helder can be used even more optimally in 2030; you can think about a combination with renewables, energy efficiency, synergy with the environment, etc. Before the case study starts, you will be briefed with up-to-date information on GBI Den Helder, the backfield, the surroundings, and the future vision of one of the major shareholders. This will allow you to actively contribute ideas that can complement the business of GBI Den Helder and the Den Helder area.

PLEASE NOTE:
- Safety helmets, shoes and clothing (PPE) will be available on site.
- Due to safety requirements, there is a strict admission policy for the venue. Only pre-registered visitors with formal proof of identity (passport) will be admitted.

Location

Oostoeverweg 10, 1786 PT Den Helder

Organiser

Region North-Holland

Name and contact details for information

Tim Timmermans +31 6 150 189 84