Technology Focus: Natural Gas Processing and Handling (April 2023)
Authors: Nagoo Anand 
Published: May 2023

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Regardless of which side of the aisle you are on, the critical role that natural gas will play in the energy evolution (or energy transition, as some would say) is undeniable. Natural gas as a fuel is an important bridge toward this evolution and doubles as a reliable partner for renewable energy sources in providing support for wind, solar, and hydroelectric generation by helping to match supply and demand. Renewed interest in, and high-level discussions regarding, the expansion in necessary natural gas infrastructure, the growth in energy consumption, and the expansion of liquefied natural gas business are all strong indicators for technical improvements in the handling and processing of natural gas in this new phase of the energy economy.

The first of the case-study-oriented papers in this section highlights a coupled geomechanical and dynamic flow simulation work flow that forms an effective decision-making tool for the process optimization of underground natural gas storage operations in southwest China. Such a multidisciplinary approach allows for the optimization of several key variables to develop strategies for increasing withdrawal rates, meeting the needs of future peak gas demands, and supporting clean-energy initiatives. Indeed, the larger context of underground gas storage plays a key role in addressing supply and demand dynamics as natural gas consumption grows in the future in response to the energy evolution and cleaner-energy initiatives.

Another key focus of the energy-evolution discussion is the reduction of carbon emissions through the framework of the circular carbon economy. A case study is presented on the mitigation of routine gas flaring as part of strategic initiatives of the Saudi oil and gas industry. The lessons learned from this case study can be scaled up to the broader industry.

In the third highlighted paper, the focus is on the management of methane emissions across the natural gas value chain and a case study on the deployment of methane detection and quantification technologies of the national operator of the Malaysian oil and gas industry. Methane-emissions reduction directly affects advocacy for natural gas as a low-carbon fuel for energy-evolution stakeholders. In the paper, specific methods are developed to quantify methane from fugitive leaks, loss of primary containment, venting and flaring of hydrocarbons, stationary combustion, compressor seals, pneumatic control devices, and pumps.

Other than the specific papers highlighted, it is quite encouraging to see cost-effective carbon-emission reduction initiatives at the local operator scale in the sphere of natural gas handling and processing. One such standout that rightfully serves as an example for the entire industry is the 100% elimination of natural-gas-powered pneumatic devices of the largest natural gas producer in the United States, EQT. This meaningful milestone sharply reduced this operator’s annual carbon footprint and, in the wider sense, provided a practical example of aggressively addressing methane emissions through exceptional teamwork and strategy implementation.

Recommended additional reading

SPE 210890 Strategies for Reducing and Monetizing Fugitive Methane Emissions From Natural Gas Infrastructure by Stefan Diezinger, Siemens Energy

SPE 210446 What’s the Best Way To Stabilize Oil in the Permian? An Examination of Different Facilities Layouts by Isabel Chan, TechnipFMC, et al.

OTC 31891 A New Approach to Future Floating Liquefied Natural Gas for Offshore Gas Monetization by Xiaogang Liu, Wison Offshore and Marine, et al.