Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta

Mathew Chidube Udechukwu; Boniface Obah; Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu; Stanley Onwukwe; Ubanozie Julian Obibuike; Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11

Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta

Mathew Chidube Udechukwu, Boniface Obah, Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu, Stanley Onwukwe, Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme

Published in International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 1)

Received: 20 November 2021 Accepted: 8 December 2021 Published: 8 January 2022

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Abstract

In this paper, the modeling of a flare gas recovery system (FRGRS) for the recovery and utilization of stranded associated gas in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was investigated. The gas recovery system is a novel modular plant with several integrated units and operational features. The FGRS was modeled for the recovery, treatment, processing of stranded associated gas. Two cases were considered, one was the compression of the treated gas from the FGRS to pipeline as sales gas while the other was the conversion of the treated gas to premium transport liquids by gas-to-liquids technology. 25 MMScfd of recovered stranded associated flare gas was used as feedstock and it yielded 23.22 MMscfd of treated natural gas and 1.77 Mscfd of acid gas. The treated gas met all pipeline sales gas specifications. In modeling the GTL plant, an autothermal reforming method of synthesis gas production was used and an H₂/CO ratio of 2.33 was recovered which was acceptable for Fisher-Tropsch reaction downstream. The entire GTL plant simulation was modeled in Honeywell Unisim with Peng-Robinson as the fluid property package. Gas-to-liquids (GTL) product produced from the 23.22 Mscfd treated gas fed to the GTL plant were 2350 b/d of liquid transport fuels comprising 1100 b/d of diesel and 1250 b/d of gasoline. Economic analyses revealed thata net present value (NPV) of US$ 109.9 million was realized from the sales of GTL liquids while an NPV of US$58.5 million was realized from the sales of pipeline quality gas. Thus, the sales of GTL products represent an increase in NPV of 87.8% when compared with that of pipeline gas. However, the Pay-out time (POT) for pipeline sales gaswas 1.16 years, the internal rate of return (IRR) was 86% while the profit-per-dollar invested was 16.18. Furthermore, the pay-out time for GTL product sale was 5.29 years, the internal rate of return was 18.3% and the profit-per-dollar invested was 2.78. The project showed that the gas may be sold outright (as pipeline gas) if the market was available and in the absence of a ready market for the gas, the gas could be converted to liquids that are easier to store and have greater market potentials in the long run.

Published in	International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11
Page(s)	1-16
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Gas Capture, Gas Recovery System, Gas-to-Liquids Technology, Fischer-Tropsch, Natural Gas Liquids

References

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[2]	GGFR: Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (2019). Mini-GTL technology bulletin, vol 6, pp 1-12.
[3]	Anyasse, D., and Anyasse, R. (2016). Using Small Scale Gas to Liquids for Flare Gas Mitigation. SPE-183161-MS. SPE Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
[4]	NGC: Nigeria Gas Company Reports (2021). Annual Gas Utilization Reports.
[5]	Izuwa, N. C, Obah, B., Ekwueme, S. T, Obibuike, U. J., Kerunwa, A., Ohia, N. P., Odo, J. E. (2019). Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) Plant Optimization Using Enhanced Synthesis Gas Reforming Technology. Petroleum Science and Engineering. Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 94-102.
[6]	Ekwueme, S. T, Izuwa, N. C., Obibuike, U. J., Kerunwa, A., Ohia, N. P., Odo, J. E, Obah, B. O (2019). Analysis of the Economics of Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) Plants. Petroleum Science and Engineering. Vol. 3, No. 2, 2019, pp. 85-93.
[7]	Ekwueme, S., Izuwa, C., Odo, J., Obibuike, U., Ohia, N., and Nwogu, N. (2020). Developments in Gas-to-Liquids Technology Plant Optimisation for Efficient Utilisation of Flared Natural Gas in the Niger Delta. SPE-203668-MS, Paper prepared for presentation at the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition originally scheduled to be held in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
[8]	Boyajian, G., Li, N., Fang, H., Qin, M., Koros, R., Keller, A., Gal., E. (2014). Unlocking Small-Scale GTL: Cost-Effective Platform for Producing Drop-in Fuel from Syngas via Single-Loop, Catalytic Thermochemical Process. IPTC 17435. Paper prepared for presentation at the International Petroleum Technology Conference held in Doha, Qatar.
[9]	He, Z., Khatu, G., Tenebaum E., Li, W., Han, Z. (2016). Flared Gas Monetization with Modular Gas-to-liquids units: Oilfield Conversion of Associated Gas to Liquids into Petrol at Small-Scales. Paper Presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
[10]	Fulfold, N., Aquing, F., Meehan, N. D., (2018). New approaches to Gas Monetization in Nigeria. SPE-189181-MS. Paper presented at the Nigeria annual technical conference and exhibition held in Lagos, Nigeria.
[11]	Kanshio Sunday and Ogogo, H. O. (2017). Techno-Economic Assessment of Mini-GTL Technologies for Flare Gas Monetization in Nigeria. Paper Presented at the NAICE SPE, Lagos, August.
[12]	Eluagu, R. C, Anyadiegwu, C. I. C, Obah, B. O. (2018). Evaluation of Performance Optimization of Modular Gas Turbine System for Monetisation of Associated Stranded Gas in the Niger Delta. International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology.
[13]	Mokwenye, P. O. (2020). Evaluation of Gas Hydrate in Gas Pipeline Transportation. Master’s Thesis Submitted to the University of North Dakota, USA.
[14]	Verghesse, J., (2018). Will Shore FLNG Drive Low-Cost Monetization and export of Pipeline Gas? An Examination of Concept Features, Opportunities, and Challenges. Paper Prepared for presentation at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Texas, USA.
[15]	Udechukwu, M. C., Obibuike, U. J., Igbojionu, A. C., Ekwueme, S. T. (2020). Production of Electricity from Flared Associated Gas as a Strategy for Reduction of Environmental Pollutions in Oil and Gas Sector (A Case Study of Niger Delta). International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering. Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 68-74. DOI: 10.11648/j.ogce.20200803.13.
[16]	Onwuka, E. I, Iledare, O. O, Echendu, J. C. (2016). Gas to Power in Nigeria: This Burden on Natural Gas. Paper Prepared for Presentation at the SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos, Nigeria.
[17]	Ekejiuba, A. I. B., (2017). Real-Time Monetization of the Flare Associated Stranded Natural Gas in Nigeria: Quantitative Analysis and Qualitative Values. The International Journal of Science & Technology, Vol. 5 Issue 8, pp. 154.
[18]	Onwukwe, S. I, Duru, U. I. (2015): Prospect of Harnessing Associated Gas through Natural gas hydrate (NGH) Technology in Nigeria, Journal of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, vol (6) 3, pp. 34-45.
[19]	Zhang, J., Wang, Z., Liu, S., Zhang, W., Yu, J., & Sun, B. (2019). Prediction of hydrate deposition in pipelines to improve gas transportation efficiency and safety. Applied Energy, 253, 113521.
[20]	Kerunwa, A., Ekwueme, S. T., Obibuike, U. J. (2020). Utilization of Stranded Associated Flare Gases for Electricity Generation in Situ through Gas-to-Wire in the Niger Delta. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering. Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 28-34.

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Mathew Chidube Udechukwu, Boniface Obah, Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu, Stanley Onwukwe, Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, et al. (2022). Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 10(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11

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ACS Style

Mathew Chidube Udechukwu; Boniface Obah; Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu; Stanley Onwukwe; Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, et al. Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2022, 10(1), 1-16. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11

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AMA Style

Mathew Chidube Udechukwu, Boniface Obah, Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu, Stanley Onwukwe, Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, et al. Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2022;10(1):1-16. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11,
  author = {Mathew Chidube Udechukwu and Boniface Obah and Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu and Stanley Onwukwe and Ubanozie Julian Obibuike and Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme},
  title = {Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta},
  journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20221001.11},
  abstract = {In this paper, the modeling of a flare gas recovery system (FRGRS) for the recovery and utilization of stranded associated gas in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was investigated. The gas recovery system is a novel modular plant with several integrated units and operational features. The FGRS was modeled for the recovery, treatment, processing of stranded associated gas. Two cases were considered, one was the compression of the treated gas from the FGRS to pipeline as sales gas while the other was the conversion of the treated gas to premium transport liquids by gas-to-liquids technology. 25 MMScfd of recovered stranded associated flare gas was used as feedstock and it yielded 23.22 MMscfd of treated natural gas and 1.77 Mscfd of acid gas. The treated gas met all pipeline sales gas specifications. In modeling the GTL plant, an autothermal reforming method of synthesis gas production was used and an H2/CO ratio of 2.33 was recovered which was acceptable for Fisher-Tropsch reaction downstream. The entire GTL plant simulation was modeled in Honeywell Unisim with Peng-Robinson as the fluid property package. Gas-to-liquids (GTL) product produced from the 23.22 Mscfd treated gas fed to the GTL plant were 2350 b/d of liquid transport fuels comprising 1100 b/d of diesel and 1250 b/d of gasoline. Economic analyses revealed thata net present value (NPV) of US$ 109.9 million was realized from the sales of GTL liquids while an NPV of US$58.5 million was realized from the sales of pipeline quality gas. Thus, the sales of GTL products represent an increase in NPV of 87.8% when compared with that of pipeline gas. However, the Pay-out time (POT) for pipeline sales gaswas 1.16 years, the internal rate of return (IRR) was 86% while the profit-per-dollar invested was 16.18. Furthermore, the pay-out time for GTL product sale was 5.29 years, the internal rate of return was 18.3% and the profit-per-dollar invested was 2.78. The project showed that the gas may be sold outright (as pipeline gas) if the market was available and in the absence of a ready market for the gas, the gas could be converted to liquids that are easier to store and have greater market potentials in the long run.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta
AU  - Mathew Chidube Udechukwu
AU  - Boniface Obah
AU  - Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu
AU  - Stanley Onwukwe
AU  - Ubanozie Julian Obibuike
AU  - Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme
Y1  - 2022/01/08
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11
T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
SP  - 1
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11
AB  - In this paper, the modeling of a flare gas recovery system (FRGRS) for the recovery and utilization of stranded associated gas in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was investigated. The gas recovery system is a novel modular plant with several integrated units and operational features. The FGRS was modeled for the recovery, treatment, processing of stranded associated gas. Two cases were considered, one was the compression of the treated gas from the FGRS to pipeline as sales gas while the other was the conversion of the treated gas to premium transport liquids by gas-to-liquids technology. 25 MMScfd of recovered stranded associated flare gas was used as feedstock and it yielded 23.22 MMscfd of treated natural gas and 1.77 Mscfd of acid gas. The treated gas met all pipeline sales gas specifications. In modeling the GTL plant, an autothermal reforming method of synthesis gas production was used and an H2/CO ratio of 2.33 was recovered which was acceptable for Fisher-Tropsch reaction downstream. The entire GTL plant simulation was modeled in Honeywell Unisim with Peng-Robinson as the fluid property package. Gas-to-liquids (GTL) product produced from the 23.22 Mscfd treated gas fed to the GTL plant were 2350 b/d of liquid transport fuels comprising 1100 b/d of diesel and 1250 b/d of gasoline. Economic analyses revealed thata net present value (NPV) of US$ 109.9 million was realized from the sales of GTL liquids while an NPV of US$58.5 million was realized from the sales of pipeline quality gas. Thus, the sales of GTL products represent an increase in NPV of 87.8% when compared with that of pipeline gas. However, the Pay-out time (POT) for pipeline sales gaswas 1.16 years, the internal rate of return (IRR) was 86% while the profit-per-dollar invested was 16.18. Furthermore, the pay-out time for GTL product sale was 5.29 years, the internal rate of return was 18.3% and the profit-per-dollar invested was 2.78. The project showed that the gas may be sold outright (as pipeline gas) if the market was available and in the absence of a ready market for the gas, the gas could be converted to liquids that are easier to store and have greater market potentials in the long run.
VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Mathew Chidube Udechukwu

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Boniface Obah

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Stanley Onwukwe

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Ubanozie Julian Obibuike

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Mathew Chidube Udechukwu, Boniface Obah, Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu, Stanley Onwukwe, Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, et al. (2022). Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 10(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11

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ACS Style

Mathew Chidube Udechukwu; Boniface Obah; Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu; Stanley Onwukwe; Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, et al. Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2022, 10(1), 1-16. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11

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AMA Style

Mathew Chidube Udechukwu, Boniface Obah, Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu, Stanley Onwukwe, Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, et al. Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2022;10(1):1-16. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11,
  author = {Mathew Chidube Udechukwu and Boniface Obah and Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu and Stanley Onwukwe and Ubanozie Julian Obibuike and Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme},
  title = {Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta},
  journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
  volume = {10},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-16},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20221001.11},
  abstract = {In this paper, the modeling of a flare gas recovery system (FRGRS) for the recovery and utilization of stranded associated gas in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was investigated. The gas recovery system is a novel modular plant with several integrated units and operational features. The FGRS was modeled for the recovery, treatment, processing of stranded associated gas. Two cases were considered, one was the compression of the treated gas from the FGRS to pipeline as sales gas while the other was the conversion of the treated gas to premium transport liquids by gas-to-liquids technology. 25 MMScfd of recovered stranded associated flare gas was used as feedstock and it yielded 23.22 MMscfd of treated natural gas and 1.77 Mscfd of acid gas. The treated gas met all pipeline sales gas specifications. In modeling the GTL plant, an autothermal reforming method of synthesis gas production was used and an H2/CO ratio of 2.33 was recovered which was acceptable for Fisher-Tropsch reaction downstream. The entire GTL plant simulation was modeled in Honeywell Unisim with Peng-Robinson as the fluid property package. Gas-to-liquids (GTL) product produced from the 23.22 Mscfd treated gas fed to the GTL plant were 2350 b/d of liquid transport fuels comprising 1100 b/d of diesel and 1250 b/d of gasoline. Economic analyses revealed thata net present value (NPV) of US$ 109.9 million was realized from the sales of GTL liquids while an NPV of US$58.5 million was realized from the sales of pipeline quality gas. Thus, the sales of GTL products represent an increase in NPV of 87.8% when compared with that of pipeline gas. However, the Pay-out time (POT) for pipeline sales gaswas 1.16 years, the internal rate of return (IRR) was 86% while the profit-per-dollar invested was 16.18. Furthermore, the pay-out time for GTL product sale was 5.29 years, the internal rate of return was 18.3% and the profit-per-dollar invested was 2.78. The project showed that the gas may be sold outright (as pipeline gas) if the market was available and in the absence of a ready market for the gas, the gas could be converted to liquids that are easier to store and have greater market potentials in the long run.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Modelling Flare Gas Recovery System for Recovery and Utilization of Stranded Associated Gas in the Niger Delta
AU  - Mathew Chidube Udechukwu
AU  - Boniface Obah
AU  - Charley Iyke Anyadiegwu
AU  - Stanley Onwukwe
AU  - Ubanozie Julian Obibuike
AU  - Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme
Y1  - 2022/01/08
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11
T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
SP  - 1
EP  - 16
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.11
AB  - In this paper, the modeling of a flare gas recovery system (FRGRS) for the recovery and utilization of stranded associated gas in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was investigated. The gas recovery system is a novel modular plant with several integrated units and operational features. The FGRS was modeled for the recovery, treatment, processing of stranded associated gas. Two cases were considered, one was the compression of the treated gas from the FGRS to pipeline as sales gas while the other was the conversion of the treated gas to premium transport liquids by gas-to-liquids technology. 25 MMScfd of recovered stranded associated flare gas was used as feedstock and it yielded 23.22 MMscfd of treated natural gas and 1.77 Mscfd of acid gas. The treated gas met all pipeline sales gas specifications. In modeling the GTL plant, an autothermal reforming method of synthesis gas production was used and an H2/CO ratio of 2.33 was recovered which was acceptable for Fisher-Tropsch reaction downstream. The entire GTL plant simulation was modeled in Honeywell Unisim with Peng-Robinson as the fluid property package. Gas-to-liquids (GTL) product produced from the 23.22 Mscfd treated gas fed to the GTL plant were 2350 b/d of liquid transport fuels comprising 1100 b/d of diesel and 1250 b/d of gasoline. Economic analyses revealed thata net present value (NPV) of US$ 109.9 million was realized from the sales of GTL liquids while an NPV of US$58.5 million was realized from the sales of pipeline quality gas. Thus, the sales of GTL products represent an increase in NPV of 87.8% when compared with that of pipeline gas. However, the Pay-out time (POT) for pipeline sales gaswas 1.16 years, the internal rate of return (IRR) was 86% while the profit-per-dollar invested was 16.18. Furthermore, the pay-out time for GTL product sale was 5.29 years, the internal rate of return was 18.3% and the profit-per-dollar invested was 2.78. The project showed that the gas may be sold outright (as pipeline gas) if the market was available and in the absence of a ready market for the gas, the gas could be converted to liquids that are easier to store and have greater market potentials in the long run.
VL  - 10
IS  - 1
ER  -

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