Sakhalin Energy increased LNG production by 20% over the past 10 years

Августа 06, 2021

At Prigorodnoye production complex which includes the LNG plant, mechanical overhaul and upgrade of the axial compressor of the mixed refrigerant compressor unit have been completed. Mechanical overhaul and upgrade were completed as part of the planned turnaround of the gas infrastructure facilities of the Sakhalin-2 project.

Ivan Shamonaev, Head of Maintenance noted that the axial compressor is one of the heaviest pieces of equipment in the project. Only its internal parts weigh about 35 tonnes and the total weight of parts to be removed, maintained and installed is about 95 tonnes. Its purpose is to build up pressure and to enable circulation of mixed refrigerant across the natural gas liquefaction cycle. LNG production is impossible without it.

Ivan Shamonaev advised that the key activity on the axial compressor was upgrade of the stator blade control system which will increase the reliability of the unit as a whole and ensure its uninterrupted operation. The final check is expected during the commissioning and load testing.

Last year, similar work was completed on the axial compressor of Train 2. During its operation, improved reliability performance while maintaining production capacity was confirmed.

The effectiveness of equipment upgrade activities performed by Sakhalin Energy is clearly demonstrated by its performance. Over the past 10 years, the company managed to increase its LNG production by 20% while reducing the specific indicators of greenhouse gas emissions by almost 18%.