Utilization of associated petroleum gas at oil production facilities located in remote area for the generation of heat, electricity and synthetic liquid fuel

Abstract

Abstract The goal of this contribution is the introduction of a multinational research project aimed to the development of a novel concept for the utilization of associated petroleum gas (APG) using small-scale facilities located in remote areas in the Russian North. This project is funded by the ERA.Net RUS Plus program focused on the enhancement of the collaboration between European Union and Russia in the R&D area. It involves research institutions and companies from Russia, Germany and Poland and will be started in September 2015. The key step of the mentioned APG utilization route is the Syngas-to-Fuel (STF) process for the conversion of syngas into high-quality gasoline. One of the main challenges will be the selection of an appropriate technology for the syngas formation from APG, which is optimal adapted to the specific composition of APG usually containing (besides methane) higher hydrocarbons, CO2, N2, noble gases, sulfur-containing impurities, etc. The Russian-German-Polish project will be focused on the development of a comprehensive model for the overall process chain, including syngas generation, gas treatment, generation of heat and electricity, liquid fuels synthesis. Based on this model, technically viable and economically beneficial process integration schemes have to be defined taking into account the available infrastructure and the severe boundary conditions of the Russian North. For instance, a compact process design is desirable in terms of the reduction of capital costs. The final result of the ERA.Net RUS Plus project will be a technical and economical assessment of the novel technology for the APG utilization in remote areas, which is able to satisfy the needs of Russian oil and gas companies.