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Impact of Compressor Station Availability on Natural Gas Pipeline Transportation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at Cranfield University have published a new study on the impact of compressor station availability on the techno-economic aspects of natural gas pipeline transportation. The study, focusing on the proposed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, conducted a scenario-based technical and economic analysis to highlight the economic sensitivities of the systems to availability. The research aimed to understand the importance of compressor station availability in pipeline techno-economics and its potential impact on project revenue and resource management.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that an 8.41% increase in project lifecycle cost occurs in one scenario compared to the baseline, assuming a 15% discount rate, when compressor station availability increases by 7.87%.
  • The baseline case with a 100% compressor station availability assumption appears unrealistic, as shown by its lifecycle cost and net present value estimates.
  • The research demonstrated a trade-off between the extra capital expenditure on standby units and the savings from avoiding income loss due to station unavailability, with a 14.06% increase in avoided income loss.
  • The impact of 2% and 4% escalation rates of fuel and maintenance costs on lifecycle costs resulted in a rise of 2.70% and 6.15%, respectively, in one scenario compared to the 0% escalation rate.
  • The results showed that compressor station availability analysis has a significant influence on pipeline projects, particularly in reducing engine downtime costs and enhancing project revenue.
  • The study's methods help in understanding the importance of compressor station availability in pipeline techno-economics, leading to more effective resource and financial management.
  • The research was funded by The Petroleum Technology Development Fund and Oluwatayo Babatope Ojo, with additional authors Abdelrahman Hegab and Pericles Pilidis from Cranfield University.
  • The study's conclusions have significant implications for natural gas pipeline transportation projects, emphasizing the necessity of considering compressor station availability in techno-economic assessments.

Statistics:

  • 8.41% increase in project lifecycle cost in one scenario compared to the baseline.
  • 7.87% increase in compressor station availability.
  • 10.24% increase in cost of standby units.
  • 14.06% increase in avoided income loss due to station unavailability.
  • 2.70% increase in lifecycle costs due to 2% escalation rate of fuel and maintenance costs.
  • 6.15% increase in lifecycle costs due to 4% escalation rate of fuel and maintenance costs.
  • 100% compressor station availability assumption in the baseline case.

Sources:

  • Impact of Compressor Station Availability on the Techno-Economics of Natural Gas Pipeline Transportation. Energies, 2025,18(16):4243. (Energies - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies).
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Cranfield University Zero in on Energy (Impact of Compressor Station Availability on the Techno-Economics of Natural Gas Pipeline Transportation). Energy Weekly News. September 12, 2025; p 331.

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