Editorial comment
A. Blume, Managing Editor
Gas production sites, processing plants, storage tanks and custody-transfer systems are all potential sources of emissions. Tightening environmental regulations, along with permitting and reporting requirements, are forcing gas producers, processors and transporters to more carefully monitor their emissions.
In many cases, companies may be required to curb projected emissions levels from their operations. Emissions calculations can be performed with the help of sophisticated modeling systems, while metering accuracy helps ensure safe and environmentally sound custody transfer, as well as corrosion prevention in pipelines.
Flaring at gas production sites is another major concern that is being addressed. Companies that do not comply with the flaring restrictions will face sanctions on oil production volumes. A number of gas processing plants are under construction in various shale plays, which will help mitigate the volume of gas flared in the future.
Complementing the focus on cleaner processing, a treating case study examines how an online program is used to manage contamination issues in gas and NGL streams and evaluate filtration/separation processes at a Middle East gas plant.
Another way that gas treating operations can be improved is by removing toxic gases at the wellhead. In this issue, authors from a US-based oilfield solutions company explore the treatment options and cost of scavenging H2S emissions at the wellhead.
Emissions monitoring and mitigation, as well as ensuring accurate measurement of gas flows, go a long way toward optimizing plant and field operations. These actions, in turn, translate into cost savings and efficiency improvements. GP
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