Oil and gas production handbook An introduction to oil and gas production

Figure 7, Glycol regeneration 
4.3.3 Compressors, anti-surge and performance 
Compressors are used in many parts of the oil and gas process, from 
upstream production to gas plants, pipelines, LNG and petrochemical plants. 
The overview given here will therefore be referenced from other sections. 
 
Several types of compressors are used for gas compression, each with 
different characteristics such as operating power, speed, pressure and 
volume: 
 

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•  Reciprocating compressors, which use a piston and cylinder design 
with 2-2 cylinders are 
built up to about 30 
MW power, around 
500-1,800 rpm (lower 
for higher power) with 
pressure up to 5MPa 
(500 bars). Used for 
lower capacity gas 
compression and 
high reservoir 
pressure gas injection. 
Photo: Ariel corp.
 
•  Screw compressors 
are manufactured up to 
several MW, 
synchronous speed 
(3,000/3,600 rpm) and 
pressure up to about 
2.5 MPa (25 bar). Two 
counter-rotating screws 
with matching profiles 
provide positive 
displacement and a 
wide operating range. 
Typical use is natural 
gas gathering. 
Photo: Mycom/Mayekawa 
mfg.
 
•  Axial blade and fin