Lee Nichols, Vice President, Content/Editor-in-Chief
In any industry, it is imperative that equipment operates efficiently and safely. This is the case in complex processing units within the natural gas processing and LNG industries, where extreme temperatures and pressures can wreak havoc on operating systems and equipment. The same is true for natural gas distribution infrastructure such as pipelines, where different internal and external factors (e.g., flow, pressure, temperature, corrosion) can lead to leaks and/or ruptures.
Therefore, maintenance is an integral part of natural gas processing, natural gas pipelines and LNG operations. Without a reliable maintenance program, crucial equipment cannot operate optimally or, in a worst case scenario, could break down, leading to unit downtime, an environmental hazard or even a safety issue.
Due to the essential nature of process equipment and distribution networks, maintenance costs are a necessary expenditure. These costs help to ensure that plant equipment and pipeline infrastructure are working efficiently, operations are obtaining the most out of each production process and product is reaching demand centers in a safe and timely fashion. Therefore, maintenance should not be seen as a cost, but as an asset needed to maintain or increase utilization and ensure reliable and safe operations.
Since maintenance and reliability are crucial topics within the gas processing and LNG sectors, this issue’s Special Focus is devoted primarily to new techniques, technologies and advancements in inspections, maintaining equipment and ensuring uptime. These include:
As technologies evolve, natural gas and LNG professionals are adapting to new solutions to optimize operations and distribution networks. These technologies and techniques help professionals boost efficiency and reliability, leading to safer and more profitable operations. GP&LNG