While many gas processing plants remain on-site for long periods, or until natural gas production is depleted, choosing modular skid-mounted plants can facilitate installation and also save time and money (CAPEX).  

Modular skid-mounted plants can be comprised of multiple components contained on a single skid or multiple skids that are then connected onsite to form a larger treating plant. Modular skid-mounted plants are fabricated and assembled at the fabrication facility and then delivered as complete turnkey structures that include all process equipment, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, pumps, instrumentation, wiring, valves, and piping, mounted on a structural steel frame. These frames are panned and serve as containment to reduce the potential of a costly environmental clean-up related to a spill, as well as structural support for process equipment.  This design also provides an ergonomic workspace to the equipment for operation and maintenance purposes.

Advantages vs. Build-on-site

Modular plants offer many benefits over a conventional stick-built facility constructed entirely or largely onsite that are subject to adverse weather conditions, faulty alignment, longer installation duration, and higher labor costs.  Modular plants include the flexibility to increase/decrease volumes to match changes in commodity prices. The ease of future modifications and the ability to move the skids to new locations to maximize capital efficiency are also advantages of the modular skid-mounted design.

Other benefits of the modular skid-mounted plant:

• Modular skid-mounted plants are high-quality, pre-assembled, fully tested, and take up less space

• Ease of installation and reduced fieldwork save our customers time and money

• Cost-effective maintenance

• Weather delays are eliminated during installation

• Robust modular skid-mounted design in-house quality assurance, full-process system testing, and checkout before shipment provides fast and reliable startups

• Containment option is available on modular skids, consisting of a solid steel drain pan, sloped to a skid drain connection

The modular skid-mounted plant reaches your facility fully assembled and tested, so you’ll have the opportunity to realize a faster speed to market. Seamless project management is achieved, from start to finish, by housing the fabrication plant in the same building as the engineering offices.

The modular skid-mounted design and construction process is faster than traditional onsite construction, resulting in lower labor costs. In addition, your company can continue to generate revenue from existing operations while the modular plant is fabricated and assembled offsite in a controlled environment.  Lower capital and labor costs can be achieved through the efficient use of material and smaller field crews.

The risk of potential safety incidents increases as contractors spend more time onsite. The modular skids are fabricated in a shop environment, operating according to stricter safety rules. The assembly shop enables contractors to work with a higher level of safety by providing a designated area for welding and non-destructive testing, special machinery to access height, overhead cranes to move equipment safely, etc.

Higher quality fabrication is achieved through the controlled fabrication of the plant without interrupting or shutting down pre-existing operations. Modular skid fabrication follows ASME code guidelines and an Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) so the quality of the assembly is reliable. Kinder Morgan Treating employs skilled technicians who specialize in the process of designing and constructing modular skid-mounted plants. The final product will comply with the same regulations and codes that apply to traditional stick-built plants for ultimate reliability.

Kinder Morgan Treating offers new and leased skid-mounted equipment to provide customers with an array of benefits. Leased or refurbished modular skids can provide the ability to quickly move to and from any location as needed. Lease units can be easily returned after the contract period is over. After disconnecting interconnecting pipes, the skid can be conveniently moved to another location or shipped back to Kinder Morgan Treating.

When you need new options for your current processes (Gas/Liquid Sweetening, Gas Dehydration, Mechanical Refrigeration, Fuel Gas Conditioning, Oil Stabilization, NGL Production, BTEX removal) and want to consider piping and modular skid-mounted plants, Kinder Morgan Treating has solutions.

We provide excellent designs, quality and warranty. We also have construction and installation specialists that can help you once you have chosen a product. Please call our team at 713-369-8515 to discuss your equipment needs today.