Training Workshops | Gas Machinery Research Council

Not Just Another Workshop

Our premier workshops and training events offer professionals of all levels the unique opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s leading experts and network with other professionals in their field.

Benefits of attending one of our events:

Be the first to hear about the latest technological advances in the industry
Learn directly from the industry’s best and brightest
Gain necessary skills to increase productivity in the workplace
Receive and share valuable insight with fellow professionals in the field

GMRC Training Programs

Factors in Compression Station Design

Virtual Workshop | March 4 & 18, April 1 & 15, 2025 | 12 PDH

Event Summary

Reciprocating and Centrifugal compressors are widely used in the natural gas industry; but when, where, why, how to use each technology is less understood. In this 4-part training course, attendees will learn the key differences between reciprocating and centrifugal compressors and their associated equipment, how to size and select them, and when each is the ideal technology to install. Pros and cons, including financial implications of each technology, will be viewed through the lens of real-world case studies.

We will provide a recording of all sessions if you are not able to attend one live.

Mitigating Methane Slip in Industrial Natural Gas Engines: Causes and Solutions

Virtual | April 2, 2025 | 2 PDH

Event Summary

Although parts of the EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan have been struck down by the Supreme Court, we are not out of the woods.

The amount of methane from a lean burn engine can be significant.

The EPA has released regulations focused on the transportation of natural gas and any releases of methane, from blowing down compressors, venting pilot gas, compressor seal leaks, and yes, unburned methane emitted in lean burn engine exhaust.

This presentation provides a brief overview of regulations, methods and technology used to improve combustion, reduce methane emissions, and other ways to mitigate the problem.

Attendees will receive 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH) upon completion.

Basic Thermodynamics of Reciprocating Compression

Virtual Workshop | April 16, 2025 | 2 PDH

Event Summary

This course is for those who are looking to understand what is happening inside their reciprocating compressor cylinders and frames. We will examine the thermodynamic cycle using the Pressure-Volume (PV) diagram. We will also discuss how capacity control devices affect this PV diagram. Finally, this course will cover how compressor performance and safety criteria are calculated and how they are used to protect the compressor. By the end of this course, attendees will be able to identify the four events represented by the PV diagram and how changes in operating conditions will affect the compressor.

Revolutionizing Compressor Operations: How to Cut Oil Usage by 90% and Improve System Performance

Virtual | 1.5 PDH

Compressor lubricant is expensive. So is gas stream contamination. Lube oil carryover is a major component of gas stream contamination. It leads to reduced valve life, fouled filters, contaminated metering stations, pipeline restrictions, increased pigging expenses, and it can damage equipment like turbine fuel gas valves. Learn how one pipeline operator killed two birds with one stone by implementing an advanced lubrication system that reduced their compressor cylinder lubricant requirements by approximately 90%. This course provides detailed analysis following 1,112,415 successful run hours 3.5 years post-implementation of TriCip Lubrication Systems on 135 natural gas compressors covering 11,000 miles of pipeline.

Reciprocating Compressor Safety & Performance Models for Gas Control, Reliability, Automation & Analytics

Virtual, Instructor-Led | 2 PDH

Event Summary

Overview of reciprocating compressor fundamentals including the compressor, the engine/motor, load-control devices, the gas compression process, and resulting safety concerns. Then, how dynamic usable models, reports, charts, and operating maps are created to assist all company divisions (e.g., Automation & Controls, Gas Control, Data Analytics, Procurement, Reliability Groups, etc.).

Compression Technologies

Event Summary

Reciprocating and Centrifugal compressors are widely used in the natural gas industry; but when and where to use each technology is less widely known. In this 3-hour virtual training, attendees will learn the key differences between reciprocating and centrifugal compressors, how to size them, and when each is the ideal technology to install. Pros and cons, including financial implications of each technology, will be viewed through the lens of real-world case studies.

This webinar acts as a fundamental baseline on a few key topics discussed in our multi-day Factors in Compressor Station Design workshop. For a more in-depth understanding of compressor station design, attendees are encouraged to also attend the workshop as well.

Introduction to Combustion Engines

Event Summary

Combustion Engines are the heart of the Oil & Gas Industry, yielding the power to pump vital elements through pipelines across North America. This introductory course will provide a solid foundation for individuals working on, interested in or responsible for, this equipment. Attendees will be educated through the presentation, demonstration of working models and interaction with the instructor. Join us in exploring a unique perspective on Internal and External Combustion Engines designed specifically for SGA/GMRC.

Introduction to Gas Turbines/Introduction to Centrifugal Compressors

Virtual Workshop | 8 PDH

Event Summary

This workshop explains the working principles and components of centrifugal compressors and industrial gas turbines used in the oil and gas industry. Performance characteristics of compressors and their drivers are explained. The application of these machines in different oil and gas applications is discussed. Finally, issues of packaging, seals, fuel and air, testing and condition monitoring are addressed.

RNG & Compression Requirements

Virtual, Instructor-Led | 3 PDH

Event Summary

Recent events have moved Green House Gas emissions discussions to the forefront of discussions for all projects. As a result, the industry is clamoring for pathways that lead to being a part of the new Green Economy. One of those paths is Renewable Natural Gas (RNG).

In this 3-hour training course, attendees will learn the general RNG process, and how traditional Gas Transportation facilities can be designed to accommodate it.

Combustion Characteristics

Event Summary

Legacy reciprocating engines are critical assets to all pipeline companies. The method in which they are monitored and maintained significantly impacts each asset's overall Reliability and Life Cycle. Combustion stabilization within this equipment has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, extend mean time between failure (MTBF), improve fuel economy and extend useful life.

Ethical Decision Making in Organizations – SGA

Virtual, Instructor-Led

EVENT SUMMARY

Ethics and compliance are central to the natural gas industry. It is up to leaders across all levels of their organization to create and sustain a culture of integrity.

This course will train participants to:

Analyze risks of unethical behavior.
Identify triggers leveraged by powerful situations.
Learn about prominent organizational scandals of recent decades through the lenses of:
- Management
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Philosophy

*GMRC Members will receive discounted registration.

CO2 Compression

Virtual Workshop | 2.5 PDH

EVENT SUMMARY

As the energy industry seeks to decarbonize, CO2 pipelines will be needed at various key gathering and sequestration points to capture, compress and sequester CO2. This course focuses on the machinery for CO2 compression and storage. As operators worldwide begin to capture CO2 at low, nearly atmospheric pressures, the power expended to compress the gas and transport it for sequestration becomes critical. Safe and reliable design will be imperative to support this developing, critical decarbonization market.

Basic Vibration Analysis

Virtual, Instructor-Led

Event Summary

This 2-hour workshop will go over the fundamentals of vibration theory, followed by a discussion on best practices for making vibration measurements. Using these basic theory and measurement techniques, several case histories will be presented and explained to help the attendees understand real-world applications of these principles.

Data Driven Methods to Analyze Compressor Station Vibration

Event Summary

The goal of this training course is to share best practices for data collection and post-processing to identify and correct vibration problems in a compressor station. Case studies will be provided that demonstrate the utilization of thorough vibration and pulsations datasets to identify potential fatigue issues before failures occur, and support mitigation decisions.

Attendees will receive 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) upon completion.

Road to Zero Emissions

Virtual | 1.5 PDH

Event Summary

The energy transition will impact the Natural Gas industry for the years to come. Reaching zero emissions in compression is attainable, thanks to a mix of current and emerging technologies.

In this paper, we first explain how to quantify the emissions of reciprocating compressors, distinguishing between fugitive, energy-related, and vented emissions. We present three real-world case studies and analyze the lessons learned, quantifying the possible improvements already achievable with today’s technology. Then, we present a practical approach to emission reduction, which can be used as a guideline to reach zero emissions and maintain them over time.

Engine Analyzer & Reliability Workshop

In-Person Workshop | 20 PDH

Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) and Natural Gas Compression are the heart of the Oil & Gas Industry, yielding the power to pump vital elements through pipelines across North America. The Engine Analyzer & Reliability Workshop has been designed to equip professionals working on, and responsible for, these assets with predictive and preventative maintenance solutions that are easily transferrable to their current work initiatives.

Join your colleagues and other professionals as you are educated through presentations, demonstration of working models and interaction with industry experts from companies all over the United States. Join us in exploring a unique perspective on Natural Gas Engines and Compression in this jam-packed three-day workshop!

PDH: 20 Hours

Introduction to Hydrogen

Virtual, Instructor-Led

Event Summary

This class will provide a high-level, non-technical overview of current US hydrogen consumption, the most widely used hydrogen production processes and existing facilities. It will explore several avenues to produce hydrogen and compare the costs of hydrogen produced from different processes. We will examine the characteristics of hydrogen and compare hydrogen with natural gas as a fuel in direct combustion applications. Finally, we will consider possible challenges and implications for natural gas midstream and downstream facilities and operations arising from blending or substituting hydrogen for methane in natural gas transport and delivery facilities.

Attendees will receive 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) upon completion.

GMRC All-Access Pass

Enroll your organization in the GMRC and SGA All-Access Pass. For one flat fee, every employee receives unlimited virtual training for the year.