Non-conventional Technologies based on End-user concept for economic Gas utilization and Profit maximization Dr. K.R.Rao*, V.V. Manchalwar & C.P. Singhal * Contact e-mail :
[email protected]
Institute of Oil and Gas Production Technology ABSTRACT This paper presents the different forms of gaseous hydrocarbon fuels available and non-conventional technologies required to monetize the same based on an end-user concept. The technologies described in the paper are mostly tried and tested, whereas some have been just applied in the developed nations. End-user points have been identified vis-a-vis each source and appropriate technology for the utilization is identified along with pertinent examples. The source and the end-user need to be tied up through appropriate technology to make this possible.
Gaseous hydrocarbon source
Medium pressure rich gas from wells losing richness due to reduction of heavy hydrocarbon carryover Remote/ offshore wells operation and monitoring including use of multiphase pumping for well fluids
Transport : 1% Fuels such as CNG & LPG.
Industry : 36 % Four major industries (Iron and Steel, Cement, Aluminium and Pulp and Paper)
Probable End-user
Very low pressure (0.25-0.5 Petrochemical kg/cm2) Off-gas during gas- manufacturing liquid separation in GGS/ CTF products Operation of remote well with low GOR heavy oil
Residential : 6% Fast growing sector
Petrochemicals : 7% 8 crackers + 4 aromatic complexes
Reasons for non-utilization of fugitive & excess gas Fertilizer manufacture : 28% Prime source for ammonia and thereby urea.
Need for customization • Pressures are low and need be boosted • Supply lines to be laid • Purification requirements
Power generation : 22% Gas based power plants (including coal gas).
Government regulations • Gas allocation policies • Stress on biogas manufacture & usage • CGD and GTL poilicies still on anvil
Lack of knowledge • VAP recovery & market potential • Technologies for gas to power systems for low volumes & low pressures • Off-grid power
Low Volume Gas to Liquid Technology
Gas utilization in India (2013) Appropriate technology/ technologies
industry Conversion of low pressure gas on catalyst via the syngas route to PVC/ Vinyl Gas to Liquid manufacture ethanol or dehydrated to dimethyl ether can lead the technology way for petrochemical manufacture via the vinyl route.
Owner of the remote well may Beam driven opt for SRPs operation with gas compressor annulus gas used for power technology generation to run SRP Micro-turbine technology VAP recovery unit/ Pentane Venturi choke producer – may be part of well technology owner’s process VAP/ Pentane recovery technologies Owner of the remote wells (more than one) in areas having logistic SOFC problems and needing pumping technology of well fluid using multiphase pumps
To be used to compress annulus gas to 45-55 psi
Power generation using annulus gas to deliver 25-30 kW power to run the SRP Loss of richness can be arrested using the Venturi choke assembly.
Beam driven gas compressor Technology
CONCLUSIONS
Depending on the composition of rich gas, the gas can be diverted for VAP/ Pentane recovery yielding higher revenues. SOFC uses extremely low pressure gas to generate power. Power can be used for operation of multiphase pump as and when required, instrument controls, SCADA system as well as for Cathodic protection. SOFCs have nil operation and maintenance costs.
SOFC Technology for power from ultra low pressure gas
Gas flow rate
FTHP
Venturi choke Technology
The need for lateral thinking for utilization of available gaseous hydrocarbon resources to the maximum extent possible in the Indian context, is the call of the day. The source and the end-user need to be tied up through appropriate technology to make this possible preferably through a catalyst such as R&D institutes.
PEMEX process for Pentane extraction
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author would like to sincerely thank all the personnel of ONGC who helped provide the data for analysis. The author is also indebted to ED-HOI, IOGPT and HODArtificial Lift, IOGPT in providing due guidance and resources for analysis and presentation of this work.
