US-based Ventech Engineers said that the construction of Khurmala Crude Stabilizer Unit for Iraqi oil and gas company KAR Group’s Khurmala oilfield is nearing completion.
Once completed, the stabilizer will serve KAR’s central crude processing station at the Khurmala oilfield, located about 50km from its Kalak Refinery in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq.
Fabricated into eight modular units and designed to process about 100,000bpd of crude, the crude stabilization unit will meet important safety and process requirements at the oilfield.
Ventech project manager Scot Stanley said the stabilizer will remove light gas and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the crude.
"This improves refinery operations, reduces potential H2S exposure risk to the CPS and refinery personnel, and eliminates sulfur dioxide (SO2) production when refinery off-gas is used to fire the heaters and boilers," Stanley added.
"Our project will help KAR operate with an enhanced level of safety and achieve longer service life from their refinery equipment."
Ventech said the project commenced in 2012, while the modules are slated to be delivered from its Pasadena, Texas fabrication facility in March 2013.
In November 2008, KAR Oil & Gas commenced fast-track construction of Phase One of a multi-phase project to bring the Khurmala oilfield to start initial production by July 2009.