Future of gas
Four Caterpillar Electric Motor Packages For New Mexico Gas Plant Application
By Brent Haight
Reagan Power & Compression (Reagan) has delivered four Caterpillar (Cat) electric motor-driven compressor packages to a midstream company headquartered in Dallas, USA, for a gas plant application in Loving, New Mexico, USA. The order marks the first for Caterpillar since it added electric motors to its product portfolio.
The units were packaged at Reagan’s Broussard, Louisiana, USA, shop. Best known for its custom packaging in carbon dioxide (CO2) compression, Reagan is an authorized distributor and packager for Ariel Corp. (See “A New Reagan,” May 2017 Gas Compression Magazine, p. 34). The company designs and manufactures gas compression packages from 50 to 8000 hp (37 to 5968 kW) for the upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas markets.
Each package features a 2250-hp (1677-kW) Caterpillar CN2586 electric motor and a 4-throw Ariel JGD compressor.
“This is a midstream application that called for 1200 rpm at 2250 hp per package,” said Jason Sowels, director of business development at Reagan. “The speed and horsepower are variable for added flexibility in changing conditions. These packages are for inlet and residue compression. Two of the motors go to the inlet, and the other two go to residue for this gas plant. Through the process of evaluating electric motors offered throughout the industry, the Caterpillar option provided significantly more value for the application. We were presented with a few electric motor options. It eventually came down to Caterpillar and one other manufacturer. The Cat motor had more in its standard spec than the other manufacturer – improved speed range, better shaft material, better cooling for VFD [variable-frequency drive] turndown. When all the chips were put on the table, the Cat motor was the best fit for this application.”
According to Caterpillar, its electric motor has been designed and built specifically for reciprocating compressor applications. Available in power ratings ranging from 1500 to 5000 hp (1120 to 3730 kW), Cat’s electric motors can operate in direct-online-drive or VFD applications. Standard features include Class I, Division 2 Groups A, B, C, and D (T3) ratings and a high-strength 4140 alloy (42CrMo4) forged, keyless shaft.
“We’ve seen a growing trend toward the utilization of electric motors and drives in gas compression applications as shale gas proximity to areas serviced by utility power has grown,” said Edward Porras, account manager for Caterpillar Oil & Gas. “The Cat electric motors and drives complement Caterpillar’s existing product portfolio of gas compression reciprocating engines designed for the gas compression industry. We are excited to have delivered our first electric motor order, and look forward to building our relationship with Reagan Power & Compression.”
This article was first published in February 2017 issue Gas Compression Magazine (p. 41). Free to subscribe and free to renew, Gas Compression Magazine is your link to the global gas compression market. Delivered monthly, Gas Compression Magazine is available in print and digital delivery. Find out more by visiting https://gascompressionmagazine.com
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