Article Published In Vol.5 (Nov-Dec-2017)

Systems engineering of Natural gas distribution

Author : Shougi Suliman Abosuliman

Systems engineering relates to planning for a project that incorporates a number of interlinking elements and processes, usually from different disciplines. The internal and external environments of such a project are vulnerable to frequent or even constant change and flux, so that the planning process must incorporate automated system flexibility within set parameters. Whilst systems engineering is usually project-based, there are processes such as the delivery of energy that take the concept through a series of installations over many years and cost many billions of dollars. An example is the century-old distribution of liquid petroleum gas throughout Europe, using a series of collectors, processors and distributors, and maintaining energy supplies to more than 830 million people. Natural gas-processing and distribution in Europe, using systems engineering, is an extensive multidisciplinary industry subject to constant change from physical suppliers and political and economic constraints. This case study concerns the systems evaluation for StatoilHydro, as a major stakeholder in Europe’s gas distribution system. The conclusion is that system engineering is warranted in a complex engineering environment which serves numerous stakeholders, from investors, governments to customers. Supporting findings relate to early planning, primary stakeholder (user) input, and allowing for flexibility in the system as change management.

Keywords: Systems engineering, Internal and external environments etc.