Our Facility

Indoor Test Facility

Propel is capable of performing large scale, indoor process flow testing and analysis. With approximately 280m3 (3000 square feet) of space that has been designed and engineered in compliance with IEC's Class 1, Zone 2 Hazardous (intrinsically safe), Propel can perform industry focused research and testing in various flow and phase regimes.

A large scale process flow loop, capable of flowrates of 12 m3/hr and multi phase flow is being designed for applications including multiphase flow assurance, produced water separation and testing as well as the development of new and novel oilfield technologies.

The process flow loop will be designed with flexibility to accommodate different and complex configurations of equipment as well as provide a broad range of pressures and temperatures. The system will be equipped with dedicated environmental control and safety systems, independent controls and monitoring as well as its immediacy to existing oil and gas developments. The facility can provide relevant applied research capacity for local and international clients.

Features and Specifications

• 3800 ft2 (2 floors), Class 1, Zone 2 indoor test area
• Segregated gas and oil storage area
• Dedicated ventilation and air handling system for process operations
• Specialized fire control systems
• Harbour access

Project and Office Space

Environmental Chamber

Propel continues to increase its research capabilities with the addition of new facilities. To help fulfill our gas process research, we have designed and constructed an environmental chamber to allow for controlled experimentation and analysis of natural gas process and piping systems.

Flow assurance of oil and gas production systems has become paramount to many offshore producers. Asset integrity and protection of key infrastructure, especially in offshore applications, can not only minimize significant costs associated with repair and refit, but also is key to protecting life safety. To help improve reliability in flow systems, Propel has been engaged to analyze gas hydrates in production flowlines. These hydrates, should they occur and grow in quantity, can cause significant issues with respect to flowline choking and/or blockage. A two-zone environmental chamber was designed and constructed at Propel for the process testing area.

Features and Specifications

• Walk-in capabilities with the dimensions of 12 x 7.5 x 3 ft.
• Two-zone chamber
• Condensing unit with a 3-HP refrigeration compressor capable of controlling temperatures independently in two different zones.
• Each zone is controlled by ETC Single Stage Electronic Temperature Controls providing temperatures between -25 to 10 ^oC.
• 600 in² sight window

Predictive models of the production of gas hydrates in gas production systems have be developed and scaled simulation of hydrate formation have be analyzed to help predict where and how hydrates will occur. The system can easily accommodate further applications and flow assurance studies, specifically in relation to oil and gas production systems.

Propel's environmental chamber can offer great deal of opportunities for research and development projects as well as provide a key research mechanism for PhD students.

Natural Gas Research Lab

Propel is fully equipped with a natural gas research laboratory that has been focused on research in the areas of gas processing for CNG applications. Our laboratory is equipped with a DBR-Schlumberger
Refrigerated Phase Behaviour Apparatus that contains a PVT cell designed specifically for the measurement of fluid properties and the study of fluid phase behaviour at controlled temperatures and pressures.

PVT Specification & Capabilities

• maximum working temperature of 200^oC
• minimum working temperature of -35^oC
• maximum working pressure of 15,000 psi with an overburden control and high-level shut-off
• 135 cm³ of working area with full sight window
• stainless steel construction
• PVT mixer (15 times more efficient than rocking)
• GOR apparatus that has a total volume of 10 litres (nominal) and a maximum flow rate of 40 litres/hr
• GOR DAQ software
• Anton Paar densitometer for density studies at various temperatures and pressures

Multipurpose flow test facility

Purpose:
To increase oilfield recovery rates and production efficiency through improved process, subsea and completion technologies.

Concept:
To construct a research platform to facilitate the replication of oil and gas production systems as well as the development of specialized numerical models and associated software products.

To facilitate this research, a reservoir representative flow test facility with a multi-purpose flow loop is being avaluated. The flow test facility will be able to perform the following research activities, including:

• Simulate and replicate downhole conditions (reservoir pressure, temperature, etc) and allow for the incorporation of different completion systems.
• Model the behaviour of different well completion systems and their effect/interaction with oil and gas reservoirs,
• Simulate/model offshore surface and subsea systems to verify performance in varying applications.