Techno-Economic Design of Onshore Gas Pipelines with High CO₂ and H₂S Content
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v49i1.2023Keywords:
Onshore gas pipeline, Sour gas transportation, Techno-economic design, Erosional velocity ratio (EVR), Booster compressionAbstract
This study develops a simulation-based techno-economic framework for designing an onshore gas trunkline system to accommodate production from newly developed wells in the X and Y Fields. The system transports 35 MMSCFD of untreated natural gas containing approximately 60 mol% CO₂ and 70 ppm H₂S, where high acid gas content and declining wellhead pressure impose constraints on pressure delivery, flow velocity, material selection, and lifecycle cost. Steady-state hydraulic simulations were performed using UniSim R490 to evaluate early- and mid-life production scenarios based on pressure drop and erosional velocity ratio (EVR) in accordance with API RP 14E. Comparative analysis of candidate pipeline diameters shows that a 12-inch trunkline maintains a minimum delivery pressure of 50 psig while keeping EVR below unity, thereby satisfying hydraulic and mechanical integrity requirements without excessive recompression. The integration of an onshore booster compressor mitigates reservoir pressure decline and sustains gas transport to the central processing facility. Material selection analysis identifies duplex stainless steel and SS 316 as technically viable options for CO₂-H₂S service under controlled operating conditions. Techno-economic evaluation indicates that the selected configuration minimizes total lifecycle cost relative to alternative designs, with estimated CAPEX of USD 228.43 million and annual OPEX of USD 142.19 million. The results demonstrate that integrated hydraulic optimization, sour-service material selection, and economic assessment provide a robust and economically optimized design approach for onshore sour gas pipeline systems.
References
American Association of Cost Engineers International (AACEi). 2020. Cost estimate classification system—As applied in engineering, procurement, and construction for the process industries. Recommended Practice No. 18R-97. AACE International.
Agiaye E.O., Othman M. 2016. CO2 capture and usage: harnessing the CO2 content in natural gas for environmental and economic gains. SPE 178316: 1-18.
Andreasen, A., Bonto, M., and Montero, F. 2025. “A framework for optimisation and techno-economic analysis of CO2 pressurisation strategies for pipeline transportation. Science and Technology for Energy Transition. 80(18): 1-22. https://doi.org/10.2516/stet/2024109
API 5L 2018. American Petroleum Institute 5L Specification for Line Pipe.
API RP 14E. 2018. Recommended practice for design and installation of offshore production platform piping systems.
ASME B31.3. 2022. Process piping guide.
Asyari, R. A. 2018. “Pemodelan Penentuan Lokasi Stasiun Kompresor Untuk Pipa Transmisi Gas Dari Sumatera Selatan-Jawa Barat.” Jurnal E-KOMTEK (Elektro-Komputer-Teknik), 2(1): 43-53. (in Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.37339/e-komtek.v2i1.93
Costa, G.M.N., Cardoso, S.G., Soares, R.O., Santana, G.L., Vieira de Melo, S.A.B. 2014. “Modeling high pressure vapor–liquid equilibrium of ternary systems containing supercritical CO2 and mixed organic solvents using Peng–Robinson equation of state.” Journal of Supercritical Fluids. 93: 82–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2014.04.016
Economides, M., and Kappos, L. 2009. “Exergy, Energy System Analysis and Optimization. Vol. II - Petroleum Pipeline Network Optimization Petroleum pipeline network optimization.” Department of Chemical Engineering. University of Huston. USA.
Hasan, T., Emami, K., Shah, R., Belokoskov, V., and Ly, M. 2023. “Techno-economic Assessment of a Hydrogen-based Islanded Microgrid in North-east.” Energy Reports. 9(2023): 3380–3396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.02.019
Hayat, M.A., Hasan, S., Elshurafa, A.M. “Strategic priorities and cost considerations for decarbonizing electricity generation using CCS and nuclear energy.” Energy Reports. 12 (2024): 2108-2122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.08.017
Jalaluddin, Akmal, S., Nasrul, Z.A., and Ishak. 2019. “Analisa profil aliran fluida cair dan pressure drop pada pipa L menggunakan metode simulasi computational fluid dynamic (CFD).” Jurnal Teknologi Kimia. 8(1): 97–108. (in Indonesian). https://doi.org/10.29103/jtku.v8i1.3396
Jaubert, J-N., Vitu, S., Mutelet, F., and Corriou, J-P. 2005. “Extension of the PPR78 model (predictive 1978, Peng–Robinson EOS with temperature dependent kij calculated through a group contribution method) to systems containing aromatic compounds.” Fluid Phase Equilibria. 237(2005): 193–211. https://hal.science/hal-00069298
Ji, L., Song, F., and Zhang, X. 2024. “A review on hazards and risks to pipeline operation under transporting hydrogen energy and hydrogen-mixed natural gas.” Science and Technology for Energy Transition, 79(9): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.2516/stet/2024004
Kristanto, D., and Hermawan, Y. D. 2020. “Comparative analysis between PI conventional and cascade control in heater-PFR-series.” Reaktor. 20(3): 129–137. https://doi.org/10.14710/reaktor.20.3.129-137
Meisingset, K.K., Statoil, Pedersen, K.S., and Calsep A/S. 2016. “Joule-Thomson Coefficients from Well Test Analysis Data.” Society of Petroleum Engineers. SPE -181622-MS.
NACE MR0175/ISO 15156, 2020. Petroleum, petrochemical, and natural gas industries — Materials for use in H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production.
Peletiri, S.P., Rahmanian, N., and Mujtaba, I.M. 2018. “CO2 Pipeline Design: A Review.” Energies. 11(2184): 1-25. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11092184
Pamungkas, J., Hermawan, Y.D., Yuliestyan, A., Yusuf, Y., Kurniawan, A., Ramadhan, M.R., Anggorowati, H., and Perwitasari. 2024. “Conceptual Design of Pipeline/Trunkline with High CO2 and H2S from X-Y Fields to Central Gas Plant.” Final Report, PSME UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta.
Rahman, S.A., and Anjana, R. 2021. “Unisim Based Simulation and Analysis of Crude Oil Distillation.” IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 1114 (2021) 012094. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1114/1/012094
Ramadhani, N.F., Irawan, D., Sudono, and Aziz, P.A. 2025. “A Techno-Economic Approach to Optimizing CCS Fiscal Parameters in Indonesia: A Case Study of Integrated Oil and Gas Development in CO-Rich Areas.” Scientific Contributions Oil & Gas, 48(3): 53-66. https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v48i3.1809
Peters, M.S., and Timmerhaus, K.D. 1991. “Plant Design and Economics For Chemical Engineers.” 4th ed. McGraw-Hill, Ic. USA.
Sajan, K.C., Karki, S., Singh BK, R., and Pathak, A. 2024. “Techno-Economic Assessment of Pipeline Distribution System for Green Methane in Hetauda Industrial District.” Kathmandu University, School of Engineering, Depertment of Mechanical Engineering. Final Report. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.28830.65608
Sugihardjo, Lubad, A.M., and Usman. 2024. “Evaluation of CO2 transportation modes for CCUS pilot plant in South Sumatera region.” AIP Conference Proceedings. 3069 020123 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0205731
Supriyadi, F., Putra, I.A., Abriyant, R.Y., Sismartono, D., Wibowo, C.S., and Priyono, B. 2025. “Techno-Economic Analysis of DME Implementation In Indonesia’s Household Energy Sector.” Scientific Contributions Oil & Gas, 48(2): 259-277. https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v48i2.1804
Syarif, J. 2004. “Penentuan persamaan faktor gesekan baru dengan menggunakan metode regresi multivariabel bertolak ukur pada persamaan faktor gesekan Chen.” Jurnal Polimesin, 2(1): 85–94. (in Indonesian) http://dx.doi.org/10.30811/jop.v2i1.1405
Wang, H., and Yang, F. 2024. “Research progress on corrosion behavior of oil and gas pipelines in wet CO₂ and H₂S environments.” International Journal of Energy. 5(2): 19–23. https://doi.org/10.54097/jr07qv37
Windyaningrum, A.S., Nurrahman, A., Pusparatu, Persada, A.A., and Fakhri, R. 2025. “Aspen Hysys Simulation for LPG Production Optimization In Deethanizer Column: Case Study in Delayed Coking Unit.” Scientific Contributions Oil & Gas. 48(1): 193-205. https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v48i1.1738
Wongsri, M., and Hermawan, Y.D. 2005. “Heat Pathways Management for a Complex Energy Integrated Plant: Dynamic Simulation of HDA Plant.” J. Chin. Inst. Chem. Engrs., 36(4): 357-383. https://doi.org/10.6967/JCICE.200507.0357
Zhang, Z.X., Wang, G.X., Massarotto, P., and Rudolph, V. 2006. “Optimization of pipeline transport for CO2 sequestration.” Energy Convers. Manag. 47, 702–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2005.06.001
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 © Copyright by Authors. Published by LEMIGAS
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors are free to Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms, under the following terms Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
