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Industry metrics
In the US, Henry Hub natural gas spot prices lifted at the end of 2016, briefly climbing above $3.50/MMBtu, but then slid back to around $2.50/MMBtu as of early February.
New in gas processing technology
GE Oil & Gas has launched Predictive Corrosion Management, a digital inspection solution for industrial assets, such as refinery pipes. This new Asset Performance Management (APM) solution uses embedded sensors to provide continuous inspection data and cloud-based analytics of pipe conditions to help operators manage risk, improve uptime and minimize total cost of operations.
Gas processing news
Velocys Plc successfully produced its first Fischer-Tropsch product at ENVIA Energy’s smaller-scale GTL plant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in early February. The products are fractionated onsite to produce premium wax, diesel and naphtha.
Editorial comment
Large-scale production of shale gas in the US, which began around the turn of the century, is now feeding US exports in the form of LNG.
Regional focus
Annual demand for natural gas in the EU is pegged at approximately 380 Bm3y–450 Bm3y. A portion of this demand is met by regional production within the EU. However, the European energy system is beset by challenges that are impacting EU gas supply.
Standardize compressor station design to reduce project costs and time line
A principal component of any gas transmission system is the compressor station.
Improve gas distribution networks with innovative pipeline monitoring and repair
The natural gas distribution industry—in India, referred to as the city gas distribution (CGD) industry—caters to domestic, commercial and industrial customers.
Advancing the role of gas and LNG in the global energy mix
Gastech is the largest and most important business and technology event for the natural gas and LNG sector, creating a global platform to address and discuss the latest challenges faced in Asia and on a wider international scale.
LPG plant revamp to increase capacity, produce commercial-grade propane—Part 2
Part 2 of this article continues an evaluation of the different modifications needed to retrofit the El-Wastani LPG plant in Egypt to enhance LPG recovery percentage and to produce an additional product—commercial propane—with high propane recovery percentage.
Satisfy new legislation on an existing gas terminal
Meeting the stringent demands of new environmental legislation can pose major challenges to existing gas processing facilities.
Centralized dehydration requires aggressive pipeline corrosion control
Dehydration plays an important role in proactively maintaining the integrity of oil, gas and multiphase pipelines.
Industry metrics
In the US, Henry Hub natural gas spot prices took a nosedive in October and November 2016, but then climbed above $3.50/MMBtu through the first three weeks of December as gas consumption skyrocketed 21% on the year in response to colder-than-normal weather.
New in gas processing technology
ExxonMobil’s new cMIST technology dehydrates natural gas using a patented absorption system inside pipes, and replaces the need for conventional dehydration tower technology.
Gas processing news
New Zealand’s LanzaTech has been awarded $4 MM by the US Department of Energy (DoE) to design and plan a 3-MMgpy demonstration-scale facility in the US.
Regional focus
The decline of global oil prices has resulted in the suspension of many LNG projects throughout the world.
Editorial comment
As trends in energy production and use evolve, so too must plans for networks to produce and consume that energy.
Design and select a gasketed plate-type heat exchanger for gas processing
In recent years, plate-type heat exchangers (PHEs) have emerged as a viable alternative to shell-and-tube heat exchangers (S&THEs).
LPG plant revamp to increase capacity, produce commercial-grade propane—Part 1
The growth in the natural gas industry has reached the point where it will increase faster than any other primary energy source, due to its clear-burning characteristics and its ability to help meet environmental requirements.
Maximize propane recovery and ethane rejection at cryogenic gas plants
The shale gas revolution in the US has resulted in an abundance of NGL in the marketplace. The increase in output has also produced an excess of ethane, leading to a decrease in price for the chemical.
Process design overview for upgrading a gas-to-methanol facility
With the surge in natural gas production in the US, gas-to-methanol plants are receiving renewed interest.
Engineering approach optimizes process design, reduces costs for NGL facility upgrade
In the present oil and gas market, companies may think twice before installing new equipment, even for necessary upgrades.
Industry metrics
In the US, Henry Hub natural gas spot prices lifted briefly in October, but then dropped below $2.50/MMBtu in early November.
New in gas processing technology
Bedrock Automation has added an intelligent, standalone power supply to its growing line of scalable, secure control technologies.
Gas processing news
Titan LNG has developed a solution for the safe delivery of LNG to seagoing and river barges in ports in the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) region, Europe’s largest bunkering hub.
Executive Q&A viewpoint
The GTL market has seen new and smaller-scale technologies emerge over the past several years as production of liquid fuels from natural gas becomes more customized and localized.
Regional focus
Russia is considering a significant increase in LNG exports to Africa and the Middle East over the next several years, according to the Russian Ministry of Energy.
Industry outlook
Although LNG prices have hit a record low and capital costs of new production terminals continue to rise, a significant amount of pressure is on the industry to increase capacity by improving existing plant efficiencies and constructing more facilities.
Editorial comment
New gas processing project announcements have slowed due to energy price uncertainty and the downturn in the oil market.
Use integrated analyses in design and operation of LNG systems
The LNG industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with several grassroots plants being built around the world.
Super-compact BOG recondensing system minimizes equipment lifecycle costs
Processing boiloff gas (BOG) is a challenge for the hydrocarbon processing industry.
- Japan's Mitsubishi to acquire stake in Petronas LNG plant
- McDermott awarded Rovuma LNG Phase 1 FEED contract in Mozambique
- Wood leads industry project to accelerate CCUS with guidelines for CO2 specifications
- Fincantieri LNG-powered Star Princess launched in Monfalcone
- Picarro launches handheld solution for natural gas leak investigation and closed-loop leak management
- Picarro launches handheld solution for natural gas leak investigation and closed-loop leak management
- Fincantieri LNG-powered Star Princess launched in Monfalcone
- Sonatrach, Saudi Aramco raise prices for LPG by 3%–4% in October
- Amarinth secures $1-MM order of API 610 pumps for Coral North FLNG project in Mozambique
