NEW JCM Solution | NEW JCM Feed Gas Boosting Skid Successfully Overcomes the “Ultimate Test” at a West African Oilfield

Recently, great news arrived from Phase III of the Associated Gas Recovery and Utilization Project at the Banga Kayo Oilfield in the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville): The feed gas booster skid, custom-engineered by NEW JCM for this project, has successfully completed commissioning and achieved a flawless first-time startup! All performance indicators of the unit met the design specifications, providing critical support for the local recovery and utilization of associated gas. This marks another successful milestone in NEW JCM’s global market expansion. Moreover, it serves as a vivid epitome of China’s high-end energy equipment contributing to the low-carbon transformation of the global energy industry.

The “ultimate test” in the West Africa

At our project site in West Africa, where tropical jungle and marine climates converge, ensuring our large-scale equipment takes root and operates smoothly presented NEW JCM with an all-around, ultimate test:

Test 1: Extreme Tropical Climate

The project site is subject to year-round high temperatures, high humidity, and high salt spray environments, which can severely accelerate the overall corrosion of equipment. This places ultimate demands on the unit's ability to maintain stable operation, anti-corrosion, and heat dissipation performance under harsh environmental conditions.

Test 2: Complex Gas Composition

Unlike conventional natural gas, associated gas from oilfields varies in flow rate, pressure, and composition. This requires the compressor package to operate across a wide range and maintain stable operation under changing conditions to prevent surge. More challenging still, the associated gas from the Banga Kayo Oilfield contains heavy hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, and saturated water. During the compression process, condensate liquid and highly acidic corrosive substances are easily generated. Under high-pressure ratio and high-power operating conditions, these factors pose significant challenges to maintaining the stability of the compressor's internal flow field, ensuring the safe operation of the rotor, and extending the lifespan of the materials.

Test 3: Limited Conditions for Overseas Engineering

Due to limitations in local infrastructure, on-site construction resources, technical support capabilities, and post-construction operation and maintenance conditions are relatively limited. The project requires not only reliable core equipment but also highly integrated, modular total solutions.

NEW JCM’s Solution

Faced with the “ultimate test” of the West African landscape, NEW JCM leveraged its internationally leading expertise in high-end turbomachinery technology and its full life-cycle service capabilities to develop a customized feed gas compression skid system solution for the project, demonstrating the innovative strength of a major national equipment.

1.Resilient Against Extreme Environments, Built for All-Weather Durability

Facing the harsh extreme climate conditions along the coast of Congo-Brazzaville, NEW JCM has carried out systematic adaptive design across multiple dimensions, including material system, structural protection, electrical safety, and auxiliary system configuration, comprehensively empowering the export of its equipment. The feed gas booster skid unit is rigorously designed to meet a high-temperature benchmark of 40°C. For outdoor placement, space heating and dehumidification devices are installed in the electrical system to eliminate moisture damage. Furthermore, NEW JCM has comprehensively upgraded material protection grades, extensively applying high-quality 1Cr13 stainless steel, S30408 stainless steel, and corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy in critical and sensitive components. These robust materials effectively resist high salt spray corrosion, significantly extending the full life-cycle service life of the equipment in tropical maritime climates.

2.Conquering Complex Operating Conditions, Preventing Surge and Corrosion

For the centrifugal compressor, the core equipment of the feed gas compression skid,  the true battleground lies within the unit itself — driven by the harsh operating conditions and complex components introduced by the feed gas. To address the frequent and irregular fluctuations in gas pressure and flow rate, the project team equipped the unit with a multi-stage automatic anti-surge recycling system，enhancing the unit's operational capability across a wide range of working conditions.

Regarding the complex composition of the associated gas, NEW JCM upgraded the internal materials, applying high-strength, highly corrosion-resistant FV520B and 1Cr13 stainless steel to sensitive flow paths and rotor components. This was further supported by a heavy-duty, high-redundancy anti-corrosion design, effectively mitigating the erosion and corrosion of the machine's interior by complex media. Through this hardcore technical expertise, the long-term, safe, and stable operation of the equipment is guaranteed.

3.Highly Integrated Skid-Mounted Solution

To address local infrastructure and support constraints in Congo-Brazzaville, NEW JCM adopted a skid-mounted design, integrating the compressor, motor, lube oil system, and other subsystems onto a single platform. All piping installation, system assembly, and testing were completed before shipment. After the equipment arrived on site, only piping and electrical connections were required before commissioning, reducing the amount of on-site installation work. In addition, NEW JCM assigned operation and maintenance personnel to the project site to provide technical support and service. This approach, combining integrated equipment delivery with on-site support, shortened the installation and commissioning period and supported project implementation.

Expanding Globally: Chinese Manufacturing Enabling a Green Future

The successful delivery and stable operation of the feed gas booster skid for Phase III of the Associated Gas Recovery and Utilization Project at the Banga Kayo Oilfield in Congo-Brazzaville once again demonstrate NEW JCM’s robust capabilities and international delivery standards in the field of high-end energy equipment. By turning once-flared oilfield associated gas into valuable assets through efficient recovery and utilization, this project not only brings tangible environmental and economic benefits to the local region, but also serves as a brilliant showcase of the pragmatic and high-quality nature of Chinese equipment going global.

Looking ahead, NEW JCM will stay closely aligned with the global transition toward low-carbon energy systems. We will concentrate on three major technical equipment: centrifugal compressors, industrial drive steam turbines, and gas turbines, while continuing to develop markets in key energy regions, including the Middle East, Central Asia, West Africa, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Upholding the philosophy of "Innovation, Quality, and Service", NEW JCM provides complete high-end energy equipment solutions across the full life-cycle, helping global customers build safe, efficient, and low-carbon energy systems.