Engineering Support Services
Project Development
When clients are contemplating the design and construction of a new shale-to-liquids (STL) facility, they typically have more questions than answers. STIS is able to assist by providing experienced and knowledgeable engineers to assist our clients in developing their commercial feasibility study.
Some industry segments, mainly refining, refer to this type of work as FEL- 0 and FEL-1, where FEL refers to Front End Loading. Other industries/ organizations refer to this type of estimate as Class V estimate (AACE) and/or FEED (Front End Engineering and Design) study. It is widely recognized that this key front end work will have a major impact on the success of the overall project and ultimate operation. Errors or incorrect assumptions at this stage may have major consequences on the viability of the entire project.
Deliverables
FEL-0 (Class V) Deliverables*:
- Prepare Preliminary Project Description
- Prepare Preliminary Process Design Basis
- Develop Preliminary Block Flow Diagrams
- Develop Preliminary P&IDs
- Develop Preliminary Material Balances
- Shale Oil & Product Gas, By-Products, Waste Streams
- Consumables
- Develop Preliminary Major Equipment Lists
- Develop Milestone Project Schedule
- Develop Order of Magnitude/Factored Cost Estimate
Benefits
Utilizing STIS’ core competencies and experience in developing these types of studies/analysis, clients will be able to:
- Reduce Project Timelines
- Reduce Project Risk
- Increase Accuracy
- Proper Equipment Selection
- Identifying and quantifying Products/Co-Products and Waste Streams
- Reduce Costs
- Increase Knowledge Base – Through Mentoring/Training Program
Commercialization Process and Timeline
Commercialization of oil shale extraction is a monumental undertaking. Numerous hurdles and product development phases are required prior to commercialization. Shale oil extraction technologies are at different stages of development, ranging from theoretical, to experimental, to proven on a demonstrative scale. While many of the ancillary technologies (oil recovery, upgrading, etc.) have been proven in similar industries, many of the extraction processes still have not been proven on a commercially representative basis.
The process of advancing a technology from pilot scale to commercial scale takes an abundance of time and resources. Shale oil extraction in particular is a heavily intensive undertaking due to the nature of the product (hydrocarbons) and the need for safeguards to ensure worker safety and environmental stewardship. It is a technically complex endeavor requiring an extensive detailed design phase before a facility can be constructed.
The timeline for a typical commercialization process (bench to commercial scale) may span from 10 to 20 plus years, depending on the stage of development from which one begins. Commercialization is a financially challenging endeavor, with a typical commercial facility costing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars (USD) and a construction timeline of 4 to 6 years.