Associated petroleum gas (APG) is also known as flare gas. APG can be converted to power at high efficiency utilizing Jinan gas engines. This power can be used for the provision of electricity and heating on-site whilst eliminating the cost of diesel deliveries to remote areas. The utilization of APG as a fuel for a generator is an excellent way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions that might otherwise result from diesel fuel consumption. The flare gas-to-power solution has been found to be a very interesting energy saving solution all over the world especially in the Niger-delta regions of Nigeria whereby the flare gas which would normally be combusted into the atmosphere is converted to Electrical power with the use of our Jinan gas engines. Our quality and professional staff at Green power utility Nigeria are always on ground to deliver on this type of project efficiently.

Creation of Associated Petroleum Gas

Natural gas that comes from oil wells is typically termed ‘associated gas’. This gas can exist separate from oil in the formation (free gas) or it can be dissolved in the crude oil. Independent from the source of the natural gas, once separated from crude oil it commonly exists in mixtures with other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butane and pentanes In addition, raw natural gas contains water vapour, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2) and other compounds. Associated gas that contains such impurities cannot be transported easily and also cannot be used without treatment since it is recovered during the oil production process.

For a long time, oil producers have simply flared this unwanted oil by-product. But because of the increase in both environmental consciousness and energy demand, flaring is often avoided and is sometimes prohibited. Technically, several options exist for handling associated gas:

  • Preparing it as a fuel in various forms (i.e. dried pipeline gas, LPG and exporting it via a pipeline)
  • Gas reinjection for later recovery
  • Generation of electricity for transmission or on-site needs
  • Processing such as LNG or LPG and exporting via tankers
  • Conversion to petrochemical industry feedstock
  • Processing gas-to-liquids and gas-to-solids
  • Conversion to other forms of energy for such uses as thermal for district heating
Natural Gas Generators in Nigeria

Technical Considerations of using Flare Gas for Power

Associated petroleum gas respectively field gas is typically a byproduct from the oil and gas exploration and is not conditioned regarding lower heating value (LHV), Wobbe-index or content of higher hydro-carbons in a gas conditioning plant (GCP). APG can show similar compositions to natural gas in general, but has significantly higher fluctuations regarding the specific composition which may have a direct impact on the knock resistance (see methane number).

In most cases, installations of power generation with associated gas are in remote areas. Power supply in such areas – if it exists at all is often poor. Therefore, the common solution in the past was to use diesel generators. Due to rapidly rising oil and consequently diesel fuel prices, this solution has become increasingly uneconomical. Furthermore, the supply of diesel fuel and the necessary storage also are becoming more expensive. The composition of associated petroleum gas is often well suited for the combustion in gas engines. However treatment in the form of dehumidification and removal of condensable hydrocarbons from the gas is generally required. Due to the often relatively high content of higher hydrocarbons, a derating of the nominal natural gas output may be required. In the case of a high concentration of H2S, desulphurisation of the gas may also be needed. The gas that is treated in the above-mentioned way is a valuable fuel for the independent power supply with gas engines. The engines are normally installed in containerised units with all peripheral systems (ventilation, silencers, cooling, control room) installed inside or on the roof. Depending on local demands, the waste heat from the engines can also be used for heating or cooling purposes on site.

Advantages

  • Generation of electricity combined with the simultaneous disposal of a problem gas
  • Use of waste by-product of the crude oil production process instead of diesel fuel to avoid costs for fuel transportation over long distances
  • Independent, on-site power supply
  • High profitability with overall efficiency of up to 85%, in the case of combined heat and power, and up to 40% in the case of power generation only.
  • Smooth operation despite fluctuations in composition and impurities (within given limits) in the gas
  • Depending on gas composition, full output of the corresponding natural gas engine version
  • Avoidance of liberation of methane into the atmosphere, which has 21 times the global warming potential of CO2
  • Maximum availability and reliability despite high or low ambient temperatures.
  • Turn-key container solutions allow for fast installation and comfortable operation.