Crude Export Debottlenecking

CHALLENGE

An oil storage terminal based in the United Kingdom required support to increase the rate of crude oil export via the jetty.

SOLUTION

InSite Technical Services completed a hydraulic study which identified that the cause of the flow-rate limitation was available NPSH from tank suction; this was due to the site initially being design for crude import.  After a site walkabout an innovative solution was developed to eliminate the NPSH constraint by switching the import/export lines.

OUTCOME

The project team identified that a significant crude export rate increase was achievable through two small pipe jumpovers.  The modification resulted in the export pump taking suction from the larger original import line discharging into the smaller original tank suction line.  Tie-ins were provided to allow for a future pump to be installed that further increase the crude export rate.