Technology Focus: Natural Gas Processing and Handling (April 2009)
Authors: Vitucci John 
Published: February 2015

Technology Focus

After last year's US election and the high oil prices, the news has been filled with discussions about clean fuels, energy security, and environmental stewardship. Oddly, these public discussions have omitted natural gas as a clean, plentiful, and efficient energy source. The world's energy needs will continue to be met by fossil fuels in the near term. It is estimated that by 2030, fossil fuels will supply 75% of the world's energy—35% from oil and 22% from gas.

In reviewing articles for this feature over the last few years, it is clear to me that the industry continues to create technology and innovative methods to find and produce gas from both conventional and unconventional sources. Expanding the use of natural gas is clearly not a question of resources. Issues confronting expanded use of natural gas lie in transportation methods, expanding end-user markets, and finding alternative uses for gas. Its use as an energy source continues to evolve around getting the gas from its source to end user. As many gas reservoirs continue to be found in smaller volumes and in remote locations, the way we think about transporting natural gas, processing it, and delivering it to markets needs to go beyond traditional solutions and technology. The magnitude and time lines of new technology and project investments will need to involve not only oil and gas companies, but government co-operation to establish stable end-user markets and clear regulatory direction.

The articles selected for the feature this year provide tantalizing insight into new gas-transportation and processing technologies as well as managing investment in these technologies. The first large-scale commercial gas-to-liquid (GTL) plant being constructed in recent years and due to come on stream by the end of the decade may finally bring GTL to the forefront of alternative-use technologies. Natural-gas hydrates as an alternative transportation method could allow the transport of natural gas in a more economical and environmentally friendly manner. Rethinking decision processes to implement liquefied-natural-gas projects as well as other new gas technologies can minimize risk, shorten project cycles, and optimize economic value. In combination with the articles in the recommended reading list below, this year's feature offers some interesting discussion topics for both our industry and the public news forums.

Natural Gas Processing and Handling additional reading available at the SPE eLibrary: www.spe.org

SPE 114921 • "Gas Monetization for Sustainable Development, the Trinidad and Tobago Experience" by Timmy Baksh, Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Trinidad and Tobago.

IPTC 12111 • "LNG-Technology Advances and Challenges" by R.R. Bowen, SPE, ExxonMobil, et al.

SPE 115295 • "The Generic LNG FPSO—A Quick & Cost-Effective Way to Monetize Stranded-Gas Fields" by W. van Wijngaarden, SBM Offshore, et al.

Additional reading available at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org

OTC 19551 • "The Commercial Advantages and Limitations—Onshore vs. Offshore LNG-Import Facilities" by Hans Kristian Danielsen, Det Norske Veritas, et al.