Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327

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Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jngse

Improving gas transmission networks operation using simulation

algorithms: Case study of the National Iranian Gas Network
Maryam Fasihizadeh a, Mohsen V. Sefti a, *, Hassan M. Torbati b
a
Department of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
b
Dispatching Management, National Iranian Gas Company, Tehran, Iran

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Pipeline networks transmit gas between the source of natural gas and customers. The high cost of
Received 26 May 2014 transportation is a challenge that must be addressed to decrease costs. Optimizing transmission oper-
Received in revised form ations can decrease energy consumption in compressor stations of the network. Considering significant
13 July 2014
fuel consumption in network, the present study examined common methods of optimizing fuel
Accepted 14 July 2014
Available online 3 August 2014
consumption in gas transmission networks and then simulated a simple network model using Simone
simulation software. The theoretical effects of the methods were then applied to the National Iranian Gas
Network, which currently transfers gas using 65 compressor stations and 33,000 km of high pressure
Keywords:
Gas pipeline
pipeline. The methods studied were: use of maximum and balanced capacity of pipelines; adjusting the
Optimization optimum inlet pressure at city inlets, industries and power plants; use of appropriate connections to
Network operation assist gas transportation flow and decrease compressor load; and selecting appropriate numbers of
Simulation in-service compressors to handle the volume of gas transferred. Results indicate that substantial cost
Fuel consumption savings can be realized from the decrease in gas consumption of turbo-compressors that will also
postpone overhaul time by decreasing the hours of operation.
© 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Natural gas is becoming one of the most widely used sources of
energy in the world due to it's low price and environmental friendly
characteristics.
Based on latest BP review, Iran, Russia and Qatar hold around
half of the worlds proved gas reservoirs (British Petroleum, 2014).
Estimations indicate that Iran owns 16.8% of global gas reservoirs
which is the largest one.
Usually the location of natural gas resources and the place
where the gas needed for various applications are far apart. In order
to overcome the problem of long distance two common ways are
widely suggested: The application of pipeline networks and Liq-
uefied Natural Gas (LNG). As reported in Ibrahim et al. (2000), short
distances gas transportation by pipelines is more economical than
LNG transportation. In this work pipeline networks are chosen.
* Corresponding author. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Tech-
nology and Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Fax: þ98 21
82883314.
E-mail addresses: m.fasihizadeh@modares.ac.ir, maryam_fasihizadeh@yahoo.
com (M. Fasihizadeh), vafaiesm@modares.ac.ir (M.V. Sefti), torbati@nigc.ir
(H.M. Torbati).
Most gas reserves are located in the southern portions of Iran,
with the exception of Khangiran field in northeastern Iran and
several small fields in central and western Iran. The National Ira-
nian Gas Company yearly transmits 170 billion m3 of natural gas
from gas plants in southern Iran to consumers across the country
using 33,000 km of pipeline and 65 gas stations housing 233 turbo-
compressor units. The main sources of consumption are:

Residences, retail businesses, and small industry

Power plants

Large industry

Injection into oil reservoirs or gas storage

Export.
Fig. 1 shows that most gas is used in residences, retail busi-
nesses, and small industry (>50%). Large industry and power plants
are the next largest users.
Residences, retail businesses, and small industry show different
patterns of usage than the other consumers. For example, con-
sumption increases from 110 MMSCMD in summer to
450 MMSCMD in winter in response to the need for heating. By
contrast, peak consumption for power plants is in summer, when
power is needed for cooling systems; consumption by power plants

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2014.07.018
1875-5100/© 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
320 M. Fasihizadeh et al. / Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327
Fig. 1. Gas distribution in 2012.
decreases in winter. There is less fluctuation for other consumers by
season, since there is no dependence on temperature. Fluctuation
in residential consumption is shown in Fig. 2.
2. Energy conservation programs
The increasing number of natural gas consumers across the
country requires construction and expansion of the gas trans-
mission network. The complex system of high-pressure pipelines
spanning the country requires compressor facilities to be installed
at intervals to prevent drops in pressure. This extensive equipment
uses a lot of energy.
It is estimated that 3e5% of the gas transported is consumed by
the compressors in order to compensate for the lost pressure of the
Fig. 2. Fluctuation in residential consumption.
gas (Borraz-Sanchez and Rios-Mercado, 2005; Wu et al., 2000). This
is actually a huge amount of gas especially for the network trans-
mitting large volume of gas. Investigation on various pipeline
network indicated that the overall operating cost of the system is
highly dependent upon the operating cost of compressor stations
which represents between 25% and 50% of the total company's
operating budget (Rios-Mercado et al., 2006).
Energy subsidies are gradually being phased out at all levels of
industry in line with government policies. This will require large
industry, such as the National Iranian Gas Company, to implement
energy conservation programs to conserve fuel and reduce costs.
Decreasing fuel and power consumption requires optimal network
performance, but methods of increasing efficiency must consider
network limitations to prevent disruptions in the transmission and
distribution of gas. If the capacity of the network is factored into its
construction and expansion, it must be based on accommodating
the maximum supply required for cold weather. This means that,
although the system will not run at capacity for about 8 months of
the year, it must be ready to meet the critical demand of heating
residences and businesses during winter. This provides an oppor-
tunity to develop an effective energy conservation program.
2.1. Constraints and guidelines for energy conservation
The main network constraints for the expansion and energy
conservation project are:

To provide adequate pressure at delivery points

Ability to meet maximum gas demand

Maximum gas production at resource points

Maintain compressor stations under peak operational
conditions
When it is confirmed that no conflict exists between the project
and the limitations, research must determine project efficiency to
decrease energy consumption. Two methods exist to increase the
overall efficiency of the networks. The first is to install equipment
for optimization (hardware solutions). The second is to provide
management scenarios (software solutions).
 M. Fasihizadeh et al. / Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327
The software solution was investigated in the present study
because it does not require installation of additional equipment.
The optimization of pipeline network has been interesting for
many researchers using numerical and analytical calculations
based on the type of problem. These studies differ in decision
setting and physical models. Optimization of gas pipeline can be
done statically or dynamically. Optimization models for mid-term
planning and contracting purpose do not require dynamics infor-
mation so steady state model are appropriate. For real time oper-
ations, system dynamics must be captured in order to ensure
feasible and implementable policies (Zavala, 2014). Tabkhi classi-
fied several types of pipeline network optimization methods
(Tabkhi, 2007).
The proposed plans are defined as steady state model and
classified by the operational constraints listed above. Simulations
are then carried out to test the feasibility of implementation.
Practical examples were tested using Simone pipeline simulation
software to evaluate the impact of methods on the network.
3. Modeling
Simulation has contributed significant achievements in
analyzing the pipeline network problems (Hoeven, 2003). Pipeline
simulation is used to determine the design and operating variables
of the pipeline network for various configuration (Woldeyohannes
and Abd Majid, 2011).
Using the simulation software, the simple network is mapped in
the edit section and different scenarios are defined in the run
environment. The program is executed bearing in mind the
following modeling assumptions for the gas transmission network:

Compressors are located at 140 km intervals

Network inlet gas pressure (from source) is 1050 psia

Minimum suction pressure is 700 psia

Maximum discharge pressure is 1050 psia

Pipeline roughness is 0.0007 inch (to calculate pressure)

Gas velocity in the pipeline is <13 m/s

Minimum suction pressure of gas compressors and maximum
gas velocity in the pipeline reflect actual conditions

An average efficiency has been used for simulating turbo
compressors
After running the program, modeling results are examined as
tables and graphs. The most important results are values for vol-
ume of gas transferred, pressure at the end of the pipeline,
compressor power and fuel consumption, compressor suction
pressure and gas velocity.
3.1. Simulation stages
3.1.1. Using Simone simulation software for simulation
Case study simulations: Two 700 km parallel connected pipelines
with compressors installed at 140 km intervals are mapped in the
Fig. 3. Simulation of standard conditions.
321
editing environment. Scenarios are then defined for each condition
using the modeling assumptions.
It is necessary to mention that simulation has been done to
present effects of arrangement changes on fuel and power con-
sumption of turbo compressors and also correctness of recom-
mended methods performance.
In the present study, objective function includes fuel and power
consumption of turbo compressors and line pack fluctuations have
not been considered due to following reasons:

Line pack volume is related to fuel gas consumption.

Line pack volume of Iran network has no considerable fluctua-
tion in warm and mild seasons, consumption in residence and
retail business is nearly constant, and other sections such as
power plants and large industries don't face with unpredictable
changes.

As network and line pack volume are very large, small changes
in gas consumption managed by pack line volume.
3.2. Standard conditions
Scenario 1: All compressors on both pipelines are operating and
all interconnections are closed (Fig. 3).
3.3. Optimizing fuel consumption
The methods proposed to optimize fuel consumption in the gas
transmission network are:

Use the potential and maximum capacity of the pipelines

Adjust the optimum inlet pressure at the city inlets and for in-
dustry and power plants

Use the appropriate interconnections to assist gas flow and
decrease compressor loads

Select the appropriate number of in-service compressors
3.3.1. Maximum and balanced capacity of pipelines
Optimal use of potential pipeline capacity for gas transmission
increases the useful lifetime of equipment by decreasing the load
and the in-service time, which decreases fuel and power con-
sumption at the gas compressor stations. The effect of symmetric
distribution of compressors on network performance is checked for
3 scenarios:

Scenario 1: All compressors on one pipeline work and those on
the other pipeline are bypassed. Power consumption is
184.1 MW and fuel consumption is 1.55 MMSCMD to transfer
127 MMSCMD of natural gas (Fig. 4).

Scenario 2: Assume a symmetric arrangement for both pipelines
using 4 compressors. Power consumption is 111 MW, fuel con-
sumption is 0.94 MMSCMD, and pressure at the end of the
network is 700 psia (Fig. 5).
322 M. Fasihizadeh et al. / Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327

Fig. 4. Scenario no. 1-1.

Fig. 5. Scenario no. 2-1.

Scenario 3: Assume a symmetric arrangement for the two
pipelines. Power consumption is 96 MW, fuel consumption is
0.81 MMSCMD, and pressure at the end of the network is
700 psia (Fig. 6).
The results of these evaluations indicate that a considerable
decrease in fuel and power consumption occurs when the com-
pressors are symmetrically distributed between the two pipelines
(scenarios 2 and 3) over the conditions in scenario 1. It is also clear
that different options may exist to arrange the symmetry. Scenario
3 was found to consume the least fuel and power of the three
choices.
3.3.2. Providing and adjusting optimum inlet pressure for cities,
industry and power plants
The main goal in such a complicated network is to be able to
transfer gas under adequate pressure to the end of the network.
Consumers along the line (cities, major industry and power plants)
require a number of branches from the high pressure pipelines.
When entering the distribution system from the pipeline, gas
pressure must decrease at the city gate stations. It is clear that large
differential pressure between the pipeline and the desirable user
pressure is a source of energy loss. At some stations, energy loss can
be decreased using throttling valves instead of expansion turbines;
this is not discussed here because such a project required instal-
lation of additional equipment.
Fixed positions are assumed for all consumers and gas stations,
so that network energy consumption can be optimized by changing
the arrangement of the compressors so that pressure decreases
before it reaches the delivery point. To test this assumption, two
hypothetical consumers are added to the network and two sce-
narios using the same number of compressors with different con-
figurations were tested. To achieve comparable results, symmetry
was assumed and the pressure remained unchanged at the end of
the network at 700 psia.

Scenario 1: Higher pressure (917 psia) is maintained at the
branch delivery points placed beyond the in-service compres-
sors. To transfer 140 MMSCMD of gas to the end of the network
requires 124 MW of power and 1.05 MMSCMD of fuel (Fig. 7).

Fig. 6. Scenario no. 3-1.

 M. Fasihizadeh et al. / Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327
Fig. 7. Scenario no. 1-2.

Scenario 2: Lower pressure is achieved at one branch by
changing the arrangement of the compressors at delivery points
located beyond the by-passed compressors. To transfer
140 MMSCMD of gas to end of the network, 122 MW of power
and 1.03 MMSCMD of fuel is needed (Fig. 8).
The results showed that a proper compressor arrangement
produces lower pressure at the branches and decreases pressure
loss. Although, power and fuel consumption decrease slightly, the
overall effect is considerable for an extended network with many
consumers, such as the Iranian Gas Trunk.
3.3.3. Use of appropriate interconnections to decrease compressors
load
Many interconnections exist along the pipelines as branching to
users occurs. Effective use of the interconnections can improve
network efficiency. Improper use of interconnections can decrease
efficiency and increase energy loss; thus, selecting appropriate ar-
rangements for interconnections (closing and opening) under
different operational conditions, especially for sudden changes in
pressure, is a major function of network optimization management.
The following are assumed:

Network inlet flow is 150 MMSCMD

The size of deliveries is 23 and 25 MMSCMD

Network outlet flow is 101 MMSCMD
Fig. 8. Scenario no. 2-2.
323
Three scenarios are designed to test the effects of in-
terconnections on the network for two consumers.

Scenario 1: All interconnections are closed and the gas flows in
two independent parallel pipelines. Study of possible
compressor arrangements requiring minimum power indicates
that 3 compressors should be by-passed (nos. 3, 4, 8). Using
113 MW of power and 0.95 MMSCMD of fuel, 150 MMSCMD of
gas can be transmitted to the network end point (Fig. 9).

Scenario 2: Open two interconnections between the inlets of
compressors 3 and 7 (valve no. 5), which decreases power
consumption about 2 MW. Fuel consumption is 0.93 MMSCMD.

Scenario 3: The interconnections between inlets of compressors
2 and 6 (valve no. 3) and 3 and 7 (valve no. 5) are opened. Power
consumption decreases about 10 MWe101 MW. Fuel con-
sumption decreases to 0.85 MMSCMD and pressure at the
network end point remains unchanged (Table 1).
Evaluation of results indicates that scenario 3 has a positive
effect on decreasing energy consumption (power and fuel). Open-
ing some interconnections, such as the ones between inlets of
compressors 1 and 5, has no effect on the network. Appropriate
opening of interconnections can decrease power and fuel con-
sumption, but improper openings can increase power consumption
and cause flow to recycle back into the pipeline. For example, when
parallel compressors exist and one is open while the other is by-
passed, the discharge interconnection should not be opened
because recycling will occur.
324 M. Fasihizadeh et al. / Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327

Fig. 9. Scenario no. 1-3.

Table 1
Different scenario for using of appropriate interconnections.

Valve 1 Valve 2 Valve 3 Valve 4 Valve 5 Valve 6 P1 P2 Power Fuel

Scenario no. 1-3 Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed 900 885 113 0.95
Scenario no. 2-3 Closed Closed Closed Closed Open Closed 832 871 111 0.93
Scenario no. 3-3 Closed Closed Open Closed Open Closed 880 870 101 0.85

3.3.4. Selecting proper number of compressors for network
All compressors should be in service to maintain the network in
operational condition and maintain flow. In the simulated network,
the maximum allowable flow is 179 MMSCMD, fuel consumption is
3.3 MMSCMD, and power consumption is 388.1 MW.
It is not necessary for all compressors to operate continually
when the transfer flow is low. Deciding which compressors should
be operational depends on the amount that power and fuel con-
sumption can be decreased while respecting network constraints. To
test this hypothesis in the simulated network, inlet gas was
decreased from its maximum flow of 179 MMSCMDe150 MMSCMD.
At this rate, it is not necessary for all compressors to be in service; by
keeping operational conditions constant, new scenarios can be
defined.

Scenario 1: 7 compressors remain in service to transfer gas using
188 MW of power and 1.6 MMSCMD of fuel to obtain 700 psia of
pressure at the end of the network (Fig. 10).

Scenario 2: 6 compressors remain in service using 214 MW of
power and 1.8 MMSCMD of fuel with the pressure remaining
unchanged at the end of the network (Fig. 11).
The results indicate that decreasing the transfer flow in Scenario
1 eliminates the need for all compressors to be in service; however,
reducing the number of compressors in service did not produce
optimal conditions. Scenario 2 was defined as a means of com-
parison. A comparison of the two scenarios shows that using fewer
compressors and maintaining desirable pressure at the end of
network in scenario 2 increased the load on the other in-service
compressors and increased the total power consumed, which are
not optimal conditions. This suggests that choosing the appropriate
number of in-service compressors should consider all operational
aspects.
4. Optimizing Iranian gas transmission network
After evaluating simulation outputs and verifying accuracy of
these methods using simulation algorithms, different methods
applied for Iranian gas transmission network for two years, sepa-
rately and in combination.
Before applying each one of recommended methods, facing any
problem originated from network managing decisions prevented
by getting exact information about production and consumption
plans in the near future. Then appropriate arrangement selected
using mentioned rules. After that Simone software utilized for
evaluating it and at last, recommendations implied in network by
dispatching control center after informing different network
disciplines.

Fig. 10. Scenario no. 1-4.

 M. Fasihizadeh et al. / Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327 325

Fig. 11. Scenario no. 2-4.

It is necessary to mention that according to last published sta-
tistics, Iran Network transferred about 600 MMSCMD in 2013 from
gas plants to different consumers, while line pack been about
1,000,000,000 MMSCMD, so instantaneous fluctuations in pro-
duction or consumption neutralized and do not have considerable
effect on the number of gas compressor stations and network
arrangement.
In addition, as arrangement changes are done consciously
and considering overhaul plans and last for two or three weeks,
there is no need to shut down and start up compressors
continuously and consequently, no more cost should be paid by
network.
Results compared for fuel consumption and average amount of
gas transmitted. Real data used for regional gas transmission. It is
daily mean value for different months from 2009 to 2011 were:

Power consumption and operational hours for turbo compres-
sors at gas stations

Fuel consumption at stations

Volume of gas transmitted and consumed and the balance of
production versus consumption for each region

Length of the trunk line
The average amount of gas transmitted (ðQ Þnetwork ) is multiplied
by the average length of the network (ðLÞnetwork ) and
ðQ Þnetwork  ðLÞnetwork is compared for different months. This was
carried out for three years (2009 through 2011) (Fig. 12).
Fig. 12 shows that the amount of gas transmitted over 1000 km
of pipeline increased and that network capacity in 2011 was greater
than for 2009.
Fig. 13 shows that, despite the 8.4% increase in network trans-
mission potential in 2010 over 2009, fuel consumption per
1 MMSCMD of transferred gas and the hours of operation
decreased. It is clear that the recommended guidelines were useful
and that results further improved in 2011. The amount of gas
transmitted in 2011 increased by about 12.4% although the fuel
consumption per 1 MMSCMD of gas transferred and hours of
operation decreased (Table 2).
Observed differences in results can be interpreted as following:
Iranian gas network changed from production and consumption
point of view in 2011 in comparison with 2010 as some new turbo
compressors and pipelines added to network, however, new facil-
ities are negligible when compared to whole network.
In addition, generally, number and duration of overhauls for
pipelines and gas compressor stations are different in various years.

Fig. 12. ðQ Þnetwork  ðLÞnetwork for different months.

326 M. Fasihizadeh et al. / Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327
Fig. 13. Amount of gas transmitted, fuel consumed, and hours of operation of compressors in 2009e2011.
Table 2
Comparison real data between 2009 and 2011.
2009 2010
Average volume of transferred gas (Q) MMSCMD 394 427
Length of transmission (km) 764 803
Fuel consumption per transferred 1 MMSCMD 1.39% 1.21%
gas at 1000 km
Operational hour of gas station (h) 1484 1416
5. Conclusion
The substantial expansion of the gas transmission network in
Iran will increase the amount of energy consumed to transmit the
natural gas through the ever-expanding network. The National
Iranian Gas Company requires programs to decrease energy con-
sumption and increase efficiency of transmission. Most plans
require installation of new equipment to improve efficiency, which
requires an initial outlay of capital. The amount of decrease in en-
ergy consumption for this initial investment over a specified period
of time may not warrant the purchase and installation of expensive
equipment. This slows implementation and delays the
commencement of energy-saving measures.
The present study tested 4 models to increase the capacity of the
network and decrease transmission costs that improve the gas
transmission network without an initial capital outlay. The accu-
racy of these methods was verified using simulation algorithms for
different cases, optimizing Iranian gas transmission network and
calculating the results of implementation of the models for 2010
and 2011 for over 33,000 km of high pressure pipeline and 69
stations. The results are summarized below.
(1) Despite the increase in network capacity, energy consump-
tion decreased significantly in 2010 and 2011 in comparison
with 2009. Fuel consumption per specified volume of
transported gas decreased to 1.21% in 2010 and 1.12% in 2011
compared to the 1.39% reported for 2009. This difference was
greater during warmer months when factoring in network
potential.
(2) Hours of operation of the compressors decreased noticeably
for the recommended models. The increased overhaul in-
2011 tervals decreased operational costs and prolonged the life-
times of the equipment.
443
806 (3) The estimated cost savings for fuel consumption was
1.12% $50,573,000 in 2010 and $51,576,000 for 2011 when calcu-
lated at $300/1000 m3.
1301 (4) Observed differences in results of applying proposed
methods can be interpreted as following:
a. Changing the number and duration of overhauls for
pipelines and gas compressor stations
b. Installing new facilities in various years.
(5) These methods modify network performance considerably,
but for approaching precise scenarios and complete optimi-
zation of network, optimization algorithms (classic mathe-
matical and meta heuristic methods) should be studied
thoroughly and compared with models recommended in the
present research to identify pros and cons.
(6) The Iranian Gas Network is sophisticated and specialized;
optimization methods should be tested on a small section of
the network under the same specifications applied to the
entire network to verify its application for all sections. This
case is under study and primary test, which its result will be
published in future papers for one of the important areas of
Iranian gas network.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank N.I.G.C (National Iranian Gas
Company) (Contract no: 192002) for supporting this work and The
Dispatching Management of N.I.G.C for providing useful data.
Nomenclature
Q average of transferred gas volume
P pressure of supply or delivery
MMSCMD million standard cubic meter per day
LNG liquefied natural gas
 M. Fasihizadeh et al. / Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 20 (2014) 319e327 327

Fuel gas consumption in compressor station Ibrahim, H., Bin Yaman, A.S., Thanh Lien, T., Budi Santoso, I., Laothumthut, P., 2000.
Natural Gas Pipeline Development in South East Asia. Asia Pacific Energy
m/s meter per second (velocity unit)
Research Center, Tokyo.
MW mega watt (power unit) Rios-Mercado, R.Z., Kim, S., Boyd, E.A., 2006. Efficient operation of natural gas
transmission systems: a network based heuristic for cyclic structures. Comput.
Operat. Res. 33, 2323e2351.
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