PCB 4013

Gas Field Engineering

Semester September 2014, Credit hour 3
Duration 14 weeks Lecture + 2 Weeks Study & Exam
Instructors
AP Dr Sayed Mohammad Mahmood (
mohammad.mahmood@petronas.com.my )
Dr. Mohammed Mahbubur Rahman (
mahbubur.rahman@petronas.com.my )

Course Content

Properties of Natural Gas

Gathering and Transportation
Gas Flow Measurement
Deliverability Tests
Well Performance (Flowing & Static Bottom Hole
Pressure)
Gas Field Development
Reserves Estimation

Course Outcome

At the end of the academic session, students should be able to :

Explain the properties of Natural Gas.
Calculate flow parameters by using different flow equations.
Understand flow measuring devices and calculate gas volumes for
transportation.
Evaluate absolute Open Flow Potential by applying Gas Well
Deliverability Tests ( Reservoir Performance ).
Determine Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure and Static Bottom Hole
Pressure.
Understand and Evaluate Gas Field Development Program for a Gas
Field.
Calculate Gas reserves by using different Equations.

Lecture Outline

Introduction
Importance of natural gas

Consumption
Production
Reserves

Properties of natural gas

Field handling of natural gas
Natural gas processing
Transportation

Introduction

Gas is a state of matter (3 states of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas)

Physical properties of each state of the same matter differ considerably

There is no change in the chemical composition of the matter during change of state

A gas is a homogenous fluid that has low density and viscosity

A gas can be of

a single element (Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.)

Compound (CH4, CO2, H2S, Nox, etc.)

Homogeneous mixture of different gases (Natural Gas, Air, etc.)

It has no definite volume but fills completely the vessel in which it is placed in

Volume/density of gas depends of the pressure and temperature

Therefor gas volume is usually expressed in terms of Standard Temperature (60 F) and Pressure
(14.7 psia)

Gas behavior is very much different from liquid or solid behavior.

The system behavior of gases is vital to petroleum engineers and the law governing their
behavior must be understood.

Importance of Natural Gas

Share of NG in global
energy mix is is
Significant
It is Much higher than
Hydro electric and
Nuclear
This trend is likely to
continue
No other source can
fill this gap

Importance of Natural Gas

Importance of Natural Gas

NG is used for a variety of applicatios

Heat/Energy source
Industrial Raw Material

Importance of Natural Gas

Typical Composition of Natural Gas

Heating Value
940 1150 Btu/SCF

Oil versus Natural Gas

Field Handling of NG: Associated Gas

Field Handling of NG: Free Gas

Natural Gas Processing

Objective: To meet sales line
specification
Main activity:
1. Separation: 2 phase or 3 phase
separators- to separate liquid
(condensate), water, and gas
2. De-hydration- to remove entrained
water and water vapor from gas
stream
3. Sweetening- to remove H2S and
CO2

Natural Gas Processing

NG Transportation
1.

Pipelines (PNG) Tried and true gas delivery system;

immobile capital investments in pipe and compression

2.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) Gas is cooled t its liquid

state to reduce volume; capital expense of immobile
terminals is high.

3.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) Gas is pressurized to

reduce volume; large cost component is in ships, but mobile.

4.

Gas-to-liquids (GTL) Gas is reformed into a liquid; energy

intensive / low efficiency; capital is in immobile facilities,
generally.

5.

Gas-to-wire (GTW) Gas is converted to electricity and

electricity is sent to customers via wire.

6.

Stranded Gas Worldwide

Gas-to-solids (GTS, NGH) Gas is trapped in a crystalline

matrix formed by water molecules; a developing technology.

NG Transportation
Transportation method depends on
Demand: The quantity and quality of NG to be supplied to the
customer.
Reserves: The amount of economically recoverable gas stored in
the reservoir.
Distance: Distance between the source (reservoir) and the market.
Terrain: Geology and geography of the area over which
transportation is made.
Duration: The period over which the supplying is required.
Economic factors: The feasibility and profitability of the project

NG Transportation

NG Transport: Pipelines

Covers large areas/long distances

Diverse geographical areas - deserts, hills,
marshlands, permafrost
Onshore and Off shore
3 main groups

Gathering
trunk/ transmission
distribution

NG Transport: LNG

NG Transport: LNG

NG Transport: CNG

Natural gas is pressurized and stored in welding

bottle-like tanks at pressures up to 3,600 psig.
Typically, it has the same composition as the local
"pipeline" gas
CNG is mainly a vehicle fuel

NG Transport: LPG

LPG (sometimes called liquid propane gas) is

Propane (C3H8 upwards to 95%) and butane (C4H10)

LPG is produced mainly in oil refineries and is recovered
from NG in gas processing and liquefaction plants
Can be stored as a liquid in tanks by applying pressure
alone
LPG has been used as fuel in light duty vehicles for
many years
House hold use

NG Transport: GTL
Methan
e

Methane

CO

n(CH2)- -

Oxygen

Hydrogen

Water

Liquid
Fuels

Steam

Gas-to-liquids (GTL) technologies are used to convert natural gas to hydrocarbon liquids.
Involves the multi-step, indirect conversion of methane to higher molecular weight
hydrocarbons ranging from LPG to paraffin waxes

NG Transport: NGH

Natural gas can be converted to frozen dry

hydrate
NGH transportation can be as dry-hydrates or
can be as refrigerated crude oil slurry
Then the hydrate is melted and the natural gas
is recovered

NG Transport: GTW

Power plant can be set up at suitable location

near the gas field
Generated electricity can be transmitted via
wire line to distant customer bases

Summary

Natural gas is a very important source of energy as well as

raw material
Physical and chemical properties of natural gas must be
understood well
Natural gas engineering involves challenges at various stages

Production- understanding the reservoirs and well performance

Processing- chemical and physical processes to purify reservoir fluid
to meet sales line specification
Transportation- carefull selection of the appropriate option

Design challenges and economic viability

Thank You

Q&A