How we designed the desired Multi-Tube Heat Exchangers for well testing for the Expro Group - a UK-based international oil field service company - is explained below.

Customer challenge

The British company was looking for a 10,000 PSI (690 bar) Multi-Tube Heater that could be fully dismantled for inspection. After each well test, they had to be able to check and clean the complete heat exchanger. 

Our approach

Originally, the Multi-Tube Heater was designed to preheat the fluid coming from the Tamar field, the Levant basin in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

The Heater heats the feed from the well, so that it can be processed for well testing. The unit operates under severe conditions with unknown pressure and temperature as well as unpredictable amounts of solids. This used to be done with steam coils with thick 4” pipes. The problem, however, was that the 180-degree bends suddenly suffered from internal erosion. But the design of the Heat Exchanger made it impossible to well test its condition without these 180-degree bends. 

The solution

We came up with an elaborate, inventive design that solved the problem. The Multi-Tube Heater can now be fully dismantled for examination before being used on a new well.

Do you have a challenge?