The eLearning Center for B.F. Environmental Consultants, Inc.

Natural gas has two things going for it. First, it provides clean energy. Second, it is plentiful in the United States. For decades to come, natural gas will be produced and consumed in the United States - creating ongoing demand for natural gas plant operators.

For people who want to enter this field it is difficult to find suitable training to become prospective entry level workers. This course provides fundamental technical background to such workers. To take this course no prior science or math education is necessary - the course includes all of the necessary basic science and technology elements.

Natural gas plant operators work in gas producing establishments, monitoring and controlling the systems and equipment that take gas from its natural state and convert it into a useable product. Your job is to ensure that the gas produced is free of impurities. The purified gas is then separated into products such as ethane, propane, butane and methane. You will also be responsible for the flow of this processed gas into the pipelines that carry it to the various industries and homes that use it for fuel. In addition, you make gas flow changes to the supply system to keep pace with customer demands.

Natural gas plant operators earn above average wages and enjoy good job security and potential to advance into supervisory or management positions.

This is a user-friendly course, designed for people who have no prior exposure to technical aspects of hydrocarbons, energy or industrial processes. This online certificate program is offered in partnership with major colleges, universities, and other accredited education providers.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
• Describe basic math, physics and chemistry knowledge necessary for a gas plant operator.
• Describe basic safety aspects related to gas plant production.
• Describe basic elements of electricity for energy production workers.
• Describe how to read technical process drawings.
• Describe basic operational elements of lubrication and centrifugal pumps.
• Describe nature of natural gas, how it is found in nature and how gas wells are developed.
• Describe how natural gas compression systems work.
• Describe how natural gas refrigeration systems work.
• Describe various methods used to purify natural gas.

1. Basic Hazard Communication
2. Basic Safety
3. Basic Lockout-Tagout
4. Math 1000: Basic Math 1
5. Math 2000: Basic Math 2
6. Math2500: Basic Math 3
7. Applied Physics 1
8. Applied Physics 2
9. Applied Physics 3
10. Heat Exchangers
11. Lubrication and Bearings
12. Electrical Safety
13. Electricity for Operators and Technicians
14. Industrial Valves
15. Compressed Air
16. How to Read Process Drawings
17. Basic Process Instrumentation and Control
18. Pump Fundamentals
19. Centrifugal Pumps - Operation
20. Natural Gas 1000: An Introduction
21. Natural Gas 1500: Natural Gas Geology
22. Natural Gas 2000: Natural Gas Wells
23. Natural Gas 2500: Natural Gas Process Compressors
24. Natural Gas 2600: Natural Gas Process Refrigeration
25. Natural Gas 3000: Natural Gas Field
26. Natural Gas 4000: Natural Gas Purification Processes