Scope of Profession - Natural Gas Compression Technician
In this section,
- “compression” means the act of decreasing the volume and increasing the pressure of gas by mechanical means;
- “compressor” means a mechanical device used in the natural gas industry that increases the pressure of gas;
- “natural gas compression” refers to the means and methods used to facilitate the delivery of natural gas from the well head to the end user via a series of specific separation, treatment, injection, disposal and compression processes;
- “natural gas compression equipment” means any type of fixed or stationary equipment used to gather, store and transmit natural gas and includes the following:
- stationary and reciprocating internal combustion engines;
- motors;
- compressors;
- pumps;
- power generators;
- mixers and agitators;
- coolers, chillers and heat exchangers;
- separator systems;
- dehydration systems;
- air and gas dryers;
- processing systems, including sweetening, treating and fractionation;
- artificial lift systems, including pump jacks and submersible pumps;
- valves and valve controls;
- equipment protection and monitoring systems;
- local panel controls;
- low voltage electrical control loops;
- electronic processor and control loops;
- instrumentation control loops;
- gearboxes;
- clutches;
- drive systems;
- turbines;
- “optimizing” means adjusting systems affecting the performance and efficiency of natural gas compression equipment;
- “undertakings of the designated trade” means the installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair of natural gas compression equipment.
Undertakings and Activities
When practicing or otherwise carrying out work in the undertakings of the designated trade, the following are activities within the designated trade of natural gas compression technician:
- reading and interpreting drawings, schematics, related technical information and materials lists;
- performing the assembly, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair and overhaul of natural gas compression equipment, including the following:
- complete ignition analysis, fuel, air, exhaust and engine management systems testing, fault diagnoses and repair;
- complete reciprocating and rotating machinery analysis to determine equipment condition, prediction of failure, corrective and preventive measures and equipment performance to design intent;
- performing visual walk-around inspections to determine the external conditions and obvious operational or safety issues that need to be addressed;
- using a variety of electrical, mechanical and specialty diagnostic test equipment to diagnose problems and adjust engine systems;
- providing preventive and corrective field mechanical services on gas compression, processing and production equipment on site at client locations;
- troubleshooting and diagnosing mechanical and general electronic control problems and all levels of compressor system failure;
- repairing and rebuilding natural gas equipment;
- inspecting malfunctioning or damaged equipment to determine the nature and scope of the problem using applied failure analysis principles;
- performing combusted gas emissions measurement and extrapolating findings to correction requirement;
- assessing technical reports to determine operation problems, future design improvements and production improvements and providing recommendations for improved service and operation procedures;
- rigging and hoisting using correct lifting procedures;
- heating and cutting with oxyfuel equipment;
- tack welding with electric arc welding equipment;
- evaluating and optimizing the performance of natural gas compression equipment in respect of how the equipment is used and the conditions under which it operates;
- performing reliability analysis;
- performing risk assessments and applying learnings;
- identifying and developing maintenance strategies based on reliability centred maintenance, condition-based maintenance, and preventive maintenance concepts;
- adhering to regulations and standards related to natural gas compression systems to ensure the safety of all workers, the environment and equipment.
Restricted Activities
The following activities, when performed within undertakings of the designated trade and by the specified classes of individuals, are restricted activities within the designated trade of natural gas compression technician:
- reading and interpreting drawings, schematics, related technical information and materials lists;
- performing the assembly, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair and overhaul of natural gas compression equipment, including the following:
- complete ignition analysis, fuel, air, exhaust and engine management systems testing, fault diagnoses and repair;
- complete reciprocating and rotating machinery analysis to determine equipment condition, prediction of failure, corrective and preventive measures and equipment performance to design intent;
- performing visual walk‑around inspections to determine the external conditions and obvious operational or safety issues that need to be addressed;
- using a variety of electrical, mechanical and specialty diagnostic test equipment to diagnose problems and adjust engine systems;
- providing preventive and corrective field mechanical services on gas compression, processing and production equipment on site at client locations;
- troubleshooting and diagnosing mechanical and general electronic control problems and all levels of compressor system failure;
- repairing and rebuilding natural gas equipment;
- inspecting malfunctioning or damaged equipment to determine the nature and scope of the problem using applied failure analysis principles;
- performing combusted gas emissions measurement and extrapolating findings to correction requirement;
- assessing technical reports to determine operation problems, future design improvements and production improvements and providing recommendations for improved service and operation procedures;
- rigging and hoisting using correct lifting procedures;
- heating and cutting with oxyfuel equipment;
- tack welding with electric arc welding equipment;
- evaluating and optimizing the performance of natural gas compression equipment in respect of how the equipment is used and the conditions under which it operates;
- performing reliability analysis;
- performing risk assessments and applying learnings;
- identifying and developing maintenance strategies based on reliability centred maintenance, condition‑based maintenance, and preventive maintenance concepts;
- adhering to regulations and standards related to natural gas compression systems to ensure the safety of all workers, the environment and equipment.
