Editorial comment

Adrienne Blume, Managing Editor

Small-scale gas processing technologies and facilities provide alternative ways of producing synthetic crude oil, transportation fuels and chemicals from stranded, small or associated gas reserves and biogas. These technologies are becoming more refined, allowing for special-purpose adaptations and designs.

With several companies preparing to transition from the pilot-plant stage to the demonstration/commercial stage, the small-scale GTL arena is gearing up to make significant inroads into localized fuel markets. The July/August special report examines technology selection and market development for small-scale gas processing solutions, from both a technical and commercial perspective.

Shrinking hardware, expanding efficiency. From a technical angle, the implications of technology decisions associated with the processing steps in small-scale GTL facilities are discussed, as is the construction of the necessary processing capacity and infrastructure to deliver LNG to customers. Small and mid-sized, purpose-built GTL and LNG production facilities can be constructed close to natural gas fields. They are dedicated to customers that need energy or to producers seeking to make use of marginal gas supplies.

Mobility and adaptability equal profit. From a commercial viewpoint, the success of small-scale GTL technologies will be determined by market needs, as well as by the growing shift in production from site-specific to distributed processing. Velocys CEO Roy Lipski discusses the challenges inherent in transporting natural gas, which is a cheaper and more environmentally friendly fuel than oil or coal. These challenges can be turned into opportunities with the help of “smaller-scale” production facilities that are positioned closer to gas gathering and processing sites. Such smaller-scale production networks are more flexible, robust and adaptable—a view also shared by Valerus CEO Steve Gill.

Valerus sees the industry as being challenged to focus on building facilities that meet a wide range of process conditions, enable quick installation and have scalability. In this way, small-scale gas processing solutions help expedite cash flow, which has become a main concern for producers as they continue to build gathering and processing infrastructure.

Feed flexibility enhances production options. Additionally, the vice president of business development for Primus Green Energy, George Boyajian, speaks to Gas Processing about the importance of feedstock flexibility to successful small-scale fuels production. He explains how Primus technology uses a variety of carbon-rich feedstocks—including natural gas, biomass, municipal solid waste and others—to make high-quality syngas.

The mix of engineering and commercial perspectives in this month’s special report provides a comprehensive picture of the evolving small-scale gas processing industry, and how these technologies can be applied to create custom solutions for large, mid-sized and small gas processors alike. Additionally, a bonus report on LNG examines the design and operation of boiloff gas recondensers for liquefaction operations, as well as the construction of a new offshore regasification facility in South America. GP