Columns
Tomorrow’s LNG advantage begins at the front-end
A. MUSTAFA, Emerson, Houston, Texas (U.S.) In the last decade, global demand for natural gas has risen dramatically. This shift is fundamentally redefining markets, specifically in the LNG industry, with an expected increase of 300 Bm3y of LNG export capacity by 2030.1 It is unsurprising that LNG ..
How digital backbones are solving LNG’s energy trilemma
J. MCMULLEN, AVEVA, Hillaborough, New Hampshire (U.S.) Global LNG demand is set to increase by 60% by 2040, growing from ~400 MMtpy to ~700 MMtpy, set against a backdrop of Russian sanctions and rising global energy demand.1 Spending on LNG facilities is gaining momentum as new projects in the U..
Restrain the stealth risks in the hydrocarbon processing industry
A. J. KHAN, Safety Consultant, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia The oil and gas industry has always struggled to learn from its safety incidents, both internally and globally. While global incident data sharing initiatives have played an incredibly important role in sharing information and supporting the indu..
Control valve selection for blue hydrogen production
S. GRILLS and A. PRUSHA, Emerson, Marshalltown, Iowa (U.S.) Hydrogen (H2) demand is quickly increasing because the gas plays a growing role in the world’s energy decarbonization strategy. H2 provides a clean energy source for industrial processes, is finding use in the transportation sector and ca..
Safely and accurately measure hydrogen blends using emissions-free sampling
G. DUDGEON, Endress+Hauser, Houston, Texas (U.S.); and K. GARRISON, Endress+Hauser, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (U.S.) As industry continues to explore viable sustainable fuels, hydrogen (H2) has emerged as a front-runner in the alternative energy landscape. H2 blending is a key supporting initiativ..
Antifoam performance in MDEA systems: Implications for cost-efficient solutions
A. AL-QAHTANIandM. R. TARIQ, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Foaming remains a persistent operational challenge in amine-based gas treating units, particularly those utilizing methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) for acid gas removal. Foam formation—often triggered by surfactants, heavy hydrocarbons or..
Strategic maintenance optimization in aging gas turbine fleets: A Saudi Aramco case study
M. S. ALAHMADI and O. Y. ZIDAN,Saudi Aramco,Dhahran, Saudi Arabia An often-overlooked aspect of the authors’ company’s operations is its extensive and diverse fleet of > 200 gas turbines with various capacities reaching up to 200 megawatts (MW). These units support a wide range of applications, i..
Transform gas metering and pipeline monitoring through digitalization: Is hydrocarbon dewpoint a dependable metric?
P. STOCKWELL, Process Vision, Basingstoke, England, UK For more than 40 yrs, hydrocarbon dewpoint (HCDP) calculations have been the accepted standard for declaring natural gas “dry.” This method, combining pressure, temperature and composition into an equation of state, has been fundamental to co..
How AI and natural gas can power a sustainable data center revolution
In an increasingly digitalized global economy, the world’s power systems and electricity consumption patterns are undergoing profound shifts that are difficult to ignore. Consumers and industries are becoming more reliant on digital tools like artificial intelligence (AI). Operating the growing numb..
Safety aspects of H2 installations
Hydrogen (H2), particularly green H2, is quickly emerging as a sustainable fuel for mobility and traction for commercial and heavy-duty vehicles like trucks, buses, utility vehicles and trains. Unlike carbonaceous fuels, H2 offers a clean and sustainable alternative, producing only water vapor as a ..
LNG-fueled vessels and the new era of the gas value chain
The global gas market is experiencing considerable change. Demand growth in Asia, renewed investment in liquefaction facilities and the restructuring of major trade routes have all influenced how gas is produced, transported and processed. At the same time, emissions regulations are becoming more st..
Carbon critical—How filtration adds value in CCUS systems
The decarbonization of industrial activities is key to mitigating climate change. From power generation to transportation to food production, there is a clear imperative to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) entering the atmosphere. Techniques for separating CO2 from gas streams are well-esta..
Non-invasive flowmeters measure natural gas volume and composition with no process penetrations
Looking back a decade or two, natural gas came from traditional fields with predictable composition and characteristics. As natural gas began to replace coal, demand increased, causing producers to develop new fields and drilling techniques—especially fracking— expanding the range of sources enormou..
Simulating the amine treatment of hydrocarbon liquids
Liquid extraction in the refining and natural gas industries is used for aromatics removal from reformates and pyrolysis gasolines in refineries and from engine lubricating oils in lube oil plants, as well as the removal of sulfur compounds, mainly hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide (COS) and ..
Optimum valve design selection to achieve tight shut-off isolation in black powder-generated gas processes
Gas processing systems are similar to any hazardous or flammable systems where tight shut-off isolation requirements are intolerable and compulsory for safe, reliable and profitable assets. This article will focus on best practices and the optimum selection to achieve positive isolation for gas proc..
Mitigating risk: Navigate the complexities of sour gas plants
When working with highly corrosive and toxic substances such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), asset integrity is paramount. Without a robust inspection plan in place, sour gas plants can quickly become hazardous, with leaks and failures posing a significant risk to personnel and t..
The mechanics of a sound assessment
FIG. 1. Vibration measurements are essential for detecting integrity issues. Compressors lie at the heart of countless enterprises across numerous industries, and those businesses’ success depends on their equipment performing reliably, efficiently and sustainably. When this is not the case, the..
Liquefaction MPC delivers holistic business returns
Multivariable predictive control (MPC) technology has been successfully applied to many liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing plants around the world, but there are always challenges that must be overcome to achieve success. For the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) site, these challenges included addr..
Stop sour gas flaring: Advances in H2S treatment drive improved economics
FIG. 1. Gas can be recovered, which makes the wasteful and environmentally damaging practice of flaring unnecessary. Driven by increased global demand for natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), countries across all oil-producing continents are addressing the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2..
Global Projects Data
At the time of this publication, Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure (GEI) database was tracking > 310 active gas processing/LNG projects globally, totaling nearly $785 B in capital expenditures. Most projects are in Asia, followed by the Middle East and the U.S. These three regio..
Hidden challenges in mercury removal unit operation and design
Mercury removal units (MRUs) are typically regarded as simple fixed-bed systems operating in a passive mode, with minimal instrumentation and limited dynamic behavior. This perceived simplicity sometimes leads to an underestimation of their importance within the overall gas treatment chain. In liq..
Carbon-14 analysis for quantifying biogenic carbon content of hydrocarbon and fuel gases
Hydrocarbons are increasingly prevalent worldwide as a non-renewable energy source. A hydrocarbon gas is an organic compound containing carbon (C) and hydrogen (H2), found in a gaseous state. Its physical properties depend on temperature, pressure and concentration. Methane (CH4) and propane are exa..
The value of experience—Why expertise matters in compressor overhauls and revamps
Companies that prioritize working with experienced providers can avoid costly disruptions, improve the reliability of their assets and extend the life of key equipment, ultimately improving the long-term success of their operations.
Moisture measurement technologies for natural gas
This article reviews the most commonly used moisture measuring instruments and provides a comparison of those technologies.
After 30 years, I am still betting on solid-rotor motors for critical high-speed applications
Solid-rotor technology can be considered to have quietly faded into obscurity—the reality is quite the opposite. Its best days may still lie ahead, especially for demanding high-speed industrial processes. The 'underdog' motor. When I first jumped into the world of power electronics and motor tec..
Global Projects Data - August Update
An overview of active gas processing/LNG projects globally.
What is API 6DX and what does it mean for the energy industry?
This article will discuss API 6D and 6DX, providing an overview of the standards as well as details on the latest requirements and documentation that can be expected when an API 6DX compliant actuator or API 6D actuated valve assembly are purchased.
Optimizing NGL treatment for sulfur and methanol reduction at Pembina NGL Corporation’s Redwater fractionation plant—Part 2
This case study details NGL treatment for sulfur and methanol reduction at Pembina NGL Corporation’s Redwater fractionation plant in Canada.
The future of gas turbines in the green revolution
With the rise of renewables wreaking dramatic changes to gas turbine operational modes, there is now an increased focus on minimizing operational costs. Gas turbines may be here to stay, but filter systems must remain relevant and efficient, as well.
Utilize tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy to ensure natural gas purity in the grid
This article delves into key challenges of preserving quality in natural gas pipelines, and it covers various gas analysis technologies that address these concerns.
- Cheniere signs deal with Bechtel to expand U.S. LNG export capacity
- Baker Hughes’ fuel flexible NovaLT™ 16 gas turbine certified by RINA for marine propulsion
- Commonwealth LNG FID attracts global syndicate of leading banks
- U.S. natgas futures rise as hotter weather boosts demand, some spot prices negative
- Dozens injured, 18 missing after blast during restart at giant Qatar LNG site
