INGENIEUR
phases , thereby reducing the risks commonly associated with cryogenic CO 2 seperation in future facilities installation and operations .
Commitment to Sustainability - Economic , Environmental and Social
With a robust operating envelope and high flow rate capacity , the pilot facility has and will continue to serve as a testing ground for mature technologies required for high CO 2 gas field developments . This will ensure the security of gas supply into the next decade . At the regional level , the biggest high
CO 2 field offshore is still underdeveloped due to technology and commercial constraints . In fact , developing such a field would have an economic impact equivalent to four times that of the Bintulu industrial city . This could be materialised through the creation of new industrial cities , which would increase the living standards of local communities , thus becoming a main economic driver in the Southeast Asia region . This could help spur development in terms of engineering , construction , logistics and services which would lead to job creation for professional and semiskilled workers .
The pilot test facility at the UTP campus also serve as a training ground and education ecosystem for the oil and gas ( O & G ) fraternity and students . As the first low temperature and highpressure test facility in the world , it could generate interest and provide opportunities for collaboration with learning institutions and industry players in developing solutions for CO 2 removal technology . Additionally , the test facility is planned to offer services such as instrumentation / equipment calibration , certification and testing to external parties for technology development which will further add value to its primary mission and vision .
Apart from social aspects , in alignment with PETRONAS Carbon Commitment towards Paris Climate Agreement 2015 , CO 2 separation technology will facilitate CO 2 capture and sequestration . This effort will contribute to the worldwide move to minimise the rise in global average temperatures this century to below 2 ° C through the implementation of zero venting and zero flaring of greenhouse gases . Therefore , this pilot facility serves as an important starting point for testing and maturing various CO 2 separation technologies , especially cryogenic technology which has not yet been implemented commercially worldwide . Successful testing of cryogenic technology using this facility will enable commercialisation , which will transform the current technological landscape of CO 2 separation , especially in high CO 2 offshore gas fields . This technology is based on the phase change of CO 2 in hydrocarbon mixtures , hence eliminating use of conventional solvents and membranes , which greatly reduces environmental footprints . In addition , the risks of hazardous chemical exposure and solvent spillage can be avoided with zero risk to people and the environment . Furthermore , this technology is able to provide better economic performance compared with conventional technologies , which incur high operating costs as solvents and membranes that need constant replacement and replenishment . In addition , to process a large volume of gas , a large membrane element is needed . This is a non-issue in the case of cryogenic technologies . Additionally , this technology produces CO 2 in liquid form , which eases its disposal management .
Overall , this testing facility could drive new , sustainable technologies to be deployed at offshore gas fields for sustainable gas production .
Operational Excellence and Safety Compliance
The development of this facility addressed the global lack of test facilities for low temperature and high-pressure operations . It was completed within schedule , meeting our budget without any lost time injury ( LTI ). It also met stringent engineering standards that were usually applied to actual plant operations . This meant that engineering details were approved by the technical authorities , and construction and commissioning followed industry standards in addition to regulatory requirements .
The development and successful testing of the pilot facility allows technology qualification for
CO 2 capture , transportation and CO 2 blowdown . Up to now , the successful tests carried out have resulted in proof of concept and prototype of a
CO 2 solid handling vessel . It is one of the cryogenic separation technologies developed by PETRONAS
24 VOL 86 APRIL-JUNE 2021