Steam Reforming of Natural Gas: A Value Addition to Natural Gas Utilization in Nigeria

Abstract

Petrochemicals play a vital role in the economy of any nation. The products of the industry are the building blocks in many industries as they deepen the forward and backward linkages of the petroleum sector with the rest of the economy. The industry uses a variety of hydrocarbon feedstock such as different cuts of naphtha from refinery and natural gas. One of the problems facing the industry is lack of reliable feedstock supplies. Nigeria has the potential to be a major petrochemicals producer. With proven gas reserves currently estimated at 187 tcf, not much has been accomplished with respect to the effective exploitation and utilization of this resource as most of the nation's natural gas production has been flared, liquefied for export or re-injected to enhance greater crude oil recovery. It has become imperative to further find ways to exploit and utilize the nation's natural gas reserves and translate it to the improvement of the nation's economy. Steam reforming of natural gas is one of the avenues for conversion of natural gas to petrochemicals. This paper, however, reviews various ways of utilizing natural gas, examines the process details of steam reforming of natural gas as a route to optimized natural gas utilization and industrialization in Nigeria. Syngas (synthesis gas) is a versatile feedstock for most petrochemicals and chemical intermediates. Thus utilizing natural gas in this way would strengthen the petrochemical industry making it possible for the country to change from raw materials to value-added products supplier, boost the economy and solve the hydra-headed problem of unemployment in Nigeria with its multiplier employment effect.