Notional Field Development Final Report - EBN

EBN Notional Field Development Plan
Although the specific design criteria for the processing facility will be dependent upon the analysis of
site specific gas samples, some of the typical processes would include:
• Amine processing – this process is used to remove carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and hydrogen sulfide
(H 2 S) which are referred to as acid gas compounds and the acid gas removal process is often
referred to gas sweetening. This is a continuous process where the acid gas compounds are
selectively absorbed from the gas stream under conditions of high pressure and moderate
temperature. Conditions in the regenerator area of high temperature and low pressure cause
the acid gas compounds to desorb from the amine solution and the cooled solution is returned
to the high pressure absorber for the removal of additional acid gas compounds.
• Refrigeration / Dew point Control – many gas streams contain excessive amounts of liquefiable
hydrocarbons. To prevent condensation of these during pipeline transport, the gas stream is
dehydrated and cooled below any expected pipeline condition. Liquid product produced is
stabilized for the required duty and the gas is warmed for transportation.
• Condensate stabilization – many natural gas steams produce a light hydrocarbon liquid product
which is referred to as condensate. In order for this liquid to be shipped safely at atmospheric
pressure and avoid high vaporization losses, the liquid must be stabilized using heat and a
fraction tower to set the liquid vapor pressure within acceptable limits. The light products
removed from the heavier liquid can be used as a fuel and many other uses. The stabilized
liquid is then cooled and put into storage tanks.
• Glycol Dehydration – water vapor must be removed from natural gas to prevent pipeline
corrosion and mechanical damage to downstream equipment. The most common method for
this procedure involves the use of TriEthylene Glycol (TEG) in a continuous process in which
water vapor is absorbed from the gas under conditions of high pressure and moderate
temperature. Regenerator conditions of low pressure and high temperature cause the water to
be released from the TEG and the cooled TEG is returned to the TEG absorber for additional
removal of water vapor.
• BTEX Removal – some gas streams contain BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenezene and Xylene)
components and aromatics from amine plant vent streams are removed.
As noted above, each processing facility is designed to meet the requirements of a specific gas stream
but the diagram below shows the components of a typical gas processing facility.
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