Natural gas processing is a means of removing contaminants and purifying natural gas in order to produce ‘pipeline quality’ dry natural gas.
Special Piping Materials has been involved in natural gas processing for many years as one of our core materials – super duplex – is commonly used in this sector.
Super duplex is used frequently as part of natural gas processing as it has high toughness and ductility, as well as being able to resist corrosion which makes this material ideally suited to extremes of heat and cold, particularly in stressful or corrosive environments like chemical processing plants.
Read on to find out more about natural gas processing, alongside the latest data on the gas processing industry.
How is natural gas processed?
Natural gas processing plants focus on removing unwanted substances natural gas so that it can be used to generate energy.
Natural gas characteristically comprises of a methane and heavier hydrocarbon gases, as well as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulphide, water and a range of other undesirable components. Interestingly, although these are classed as ‘contaminants’, some of these elements do have economic value and can be used to generate extra revenue by being further processed or sold to other companies.
Nevertheless, these surplus components must be removed, with the heavier hydrocarbons being separated prior to the liquification and transportation of the ‘end product’ natural gas. This method includes a variety of pure adsorptive or absorptive and cryogenic processes.
Natural gas processing operators are a key step in the supply chain to deliver natural gas that can be used as valuable fuel in industrial, commercial, and residential settings.
A region’s ability to process natural gas is incredibly important to its overall energy supply. The latest report from GlobalDada on gas processing capacity reveals where the main gas processing sites are.
Natural gas processing capacity – GlobalData
GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Gas Processing Industry Outlook in Europe, North America, and FSU to 2025 – Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook with Details of All Operating and Planned Processing Plants’ is full of interesting facts and figures about the industry.
Here are some of the main points from the report in relation to Europe:
- – As of September 2021, Europe had 95 active gas processing plants, with a total gas processing capacity of 53,851 mmcfd.
- – Major active gas processing plants of Europe are Kollsnes (Norway), Karsto (Norway) and Nyhamna (Norway).
- – Europe’s share in the global gas processing capacity is 8.8%, with the highest processing capacity in the Netherlands.
- – In Europe, as of September 2021, the Netherlands leads with an active gas processing capacity of 26,147 mmcfd. Emmapolder, Balgzand-HiCal and Balgzand-Nogat are the major active gas processing plants in the country.
- – The United Kingdom ranks second with an active gas processing capacity of 12,256 mmcfd. SAGE, St Fergus II and St Fergus I are the major active gas processing plants in the country.
- – Norway is the third highest country with an active gas processing capacity of 11,420 mmcfd. Kollsnes, Karsto and Nyhamna are the three active gas processing plants in the country.
Here are some of the main points from the report in relation to North America:
- – The US leads the gas processing capacity in North America with 129,421MMcfd, followed by Canada and Mexico.
- – As of September 2021, North America had 1,772 active gas processing plants with a total capacity of 223,562 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd).
- – North America’s share in the global gas processing capacity is 36.6%.
- – Major active gas processing plants of North America are Prudhoe Bay (US), Empress (Canada) and Empress II (Canada).
- – In North America, as of September 2021, the US leads with an active gas processing capacity of 129,421MMcfd. Prudhoe Bay, Channahon and Meeker are the major active gas processing plants in the country.
- – Canada is the second-highest country with an active gas processing capacity of 87,044MMcfd. Empress, Empress II and Cochrane are the major active gas processing plants in the country.
- – Mexico follows with a gas processing capacity of 7,097MMcfd. Cactus, Nuevo Pemex and Ciudad Pemex are the major active gas processing plants in the country.
Here are some of the main points from the report in relation to the former Soviet Union:
- – As of September 2021, the Former Soviet Union had 116 active gas processing plants with a total gas processing capacity of 83,125MMcfd.
- – The Former Soviet Union’s share in the global gas processing capacity is 13.6%.
- – Major active gas processing plants of the Former Soviet Union are Zapolyarnoye (Russia), Bovanenkovskoye (Russia) and Kazatchiya (Russia).
- – In the Former Soviet Union, as of September 2021, Russia dominates with an active gas processing capacity of 62,636MMcfd. Zapolyarnoye, Bovanenkovskoye and Kazatchiya are the major active gas processing plants in the country.
- – Uzbekistan is the second-highest country with an active gas processing capacity of 7,577 mmcfd. Mubarek, Shurtanneftegaz and Kandym are the major active gas processing plants in the country.
- – Kazakhstan follows next with an active gas processing capacity of 5,073MMcfd. Karachaganak, Tengiz and Zhanazhol GPP-3 are the three active gas processing plants in the country.
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