Kazakhstan Wellhead Megaproject Gets Design

A joint venture comprising Fluor Corp., the Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas (KING), KazGiproNefteTrans Engineering Co. (KGNT EC) and WorleyParsons has developed one of the world’s largest single 3D intelligent plant design models for a Tengizchevroil LLP megaproject, Fluor reported Tuesday.

“One of the largest oil and gas projects in the world, the engineering effort is providing the design and tools to enable the delivery of the project in a safe and efficient manner,” Al Collins, president of Fluor’s Energy & Chemicals unit in Europe, Africa and Middle East, said in a written statement. “We have worked with Tengizchevroil and our joint venture partners in Kazakhstan for more than 20 years.”

Fluor and others in the JV created a model for Tengizchevroil’s Future Growth Project – Wellhead Pressure Management Project (FGP-WPMP), which is the next expansion of the Tengiz oil field in western Kazakhstan. According to Tengizchevroil, the project will increase Tengiz’s crude production by 12 million tonnes per year.

In July 2016 Tengizchevroil sanctioned KPJV to provide detailed engineering, procurement and construction management support services for FGP-WPMP. When it announced the contract award, Fluor noted that the project will entail:

• The FGP component, which will use sour gas injection technology to maximize Tengiz production capacity to approximately 39 million tons of oil per year
• The WPMP component, which will keep existing Tengiz plants full by lowering the flowing wellhead pressure and boost the pressure to Tengiz’s six processing trains

The single 3D plant model that the JV created enables project engineers worldwide to see real-time developments in the design, Fluor noted Tuesday. In addition, it pointed out that the data-centric model integrates 2D and 3D information to allow 3D visualization of the plant. Moreover, the company stated that the model allows sequencing tools to optimize construction and produce advanced engineering, construction and installation work packages.

“The scale for this industry-leading project calls for engineering to be executed simultaneously at multiple locations around the world,” Gerald Stone, Fluor senior vice president and project director, stated. “Spanning multiple time zones, work is taking place around the clock. The project’s 3D model provides the latest integrated design and data management system using millions of pieces of verified data to deliver construction-driven execution.”

Fluor reported in 2016 that the project, which is expected to require approximately 20,000 construction workers at its peak, could achieve first oil in 2022.