World Natural Gas Production Research Articles

Modelling world natural gas production

As the cleanest fossil fuel in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, natural gas demand is expected to increase rapidly in future due to its important role in the transition of the world energy system. In this case, understanding potential limits to future production of the world’s natural gas resources becomes increasingly important. This paper uses a modified multi-cycle generalized Weng model to forecast the long-term production of natural gas by region, and also globally. Both conventional and unconventional gas production are considered. Our results show that world natural gas production is likely to peak in the range 3.7 to 6.1 trillion cubic meters per year (tcm/y) between 2019 and 2060 depending on assumptions made on the size of the global ultimately recoverable resource (URR) of natural gas. A comparison of this paper’s forecasts with those from the scientific literature and from major energy institutes shows that the projection in this paper’s ‘high scenario’ can be seen as a likely upper-bound on future global natural gas production. To turn this upper-bound projection into reality, great efforts will be needed from the gas industry to discover more conventional and unconventional gas resources, and to make these recoverable.

Application of SEM and EDS for mineral composition of shale gas reservoir

In recent years, great progress has been made in the exploration and exploitation of shale gas, making it the main driving force for the growth of world natural gas production. Mineral composition restricts the pore size, distribution, geometry and connectivity of shale reservoirs, and also affects the brittleness and fracturing ability of shale reservoirs. Therefore, mineral composition is of great significance to the evaluation and exploration and development of shale gas reservoirs. Taking the Paleogene shale reservoir in Liaozhong Sag as an example, this study explored the application of argon ion polishing technology, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) and X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) analysis in mineral identification.

Assessment of a process flow diagram for NGL recovery using different condensation mechanisms

The usage of a suitable process flow diagram attending market demands has been become increasingly important as the world natural gas production has increased along the years. For Industry facing such a challenge, an assessment of potential modifications in the process scheme is needed to show what feasible and economical changes can be made. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a comparative analysis of the NGL recovery of a process flow diagram by changing suitable mechanisms of condensation to attend the market demands for NGL (such as LPG and C5+). Selected feed mixtures ranging from 5.5 to 11.2% C3+ were used. For 11.2% C3+ feed stream composition, turbo- expander with mechanical refrigeration (TEMR) reached the required composition specification limits and the best economic performance among gas processing schemes analyzed.

Technology Focus: Natural Gas Processing and Handling (April 2016)

Technology Focus Despite the currently deteriorating oil and gas prices (at the time of writing, West Texas intermediate crude was at USD 32.38/bbl and Henry Hub natural gas was at USD 2.25/million Btu), natural gas, the “least carbon-intensive” fossil fuel, is still projected by Exxon- Mobil, the International Energy Agency, and other sources to grow by 65% from 2010 to 2040, with the majority of the increasing demand coming from the Asia Pacific region. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, in 2014, total world natural-gas production was 3460.6 billion m3 and 43.2% of it was from the United States (728.3 billion m3, 21.4%), the Russian Federation (578.7 billion m3, 16.7%), and Qatar (177.2 billion m3, 5.1%). On the consumption side, the total global natural-gas consumption was 3393 billion m3 and accounted for 23.7% of the total world energy makeup. The top three leading consumers were the US (759.4 billion m3, 22.7%), the Russian Federation (409.2 billion m3, 12%), and China (185.5 billion m3, 5.4%), and they consumed 40.1% of the total world natural gas. Considering the current oil and gas market conditions and that processing and handling are part of the natural-gas supply chain, ensuring that gas processing and handling are cost efficient and safe becomes even more imperative. Currently, total gas trades were 997.2 billion m3 (in 2014), slightly less than in 2013 (1032.8 billion m3). Pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) remain the primary gas-transportation means, with shares of 66.6 and 33.4% in 2014, respectively. While pipelines remain the traditional means of transportation, LNG technology provides an effective alternative for long distances and offshore environments. The design philosophy has gone from simple to sophisticated to more sophisticated, without compromising safety and operability. The advancements of LNG technologies enable the operators to operate their plants with lower specific-energy consumption, shorter downtime, safer environments, and generally higher profits. The following papers and additional readings focus on LNG front-end design, safety topics associated with natural-gas transportation through LNG and pipelines, new improvements around the well-known Fischer-Tropsch process for enhanced gas-to-diesel conversion, flare-gas management, and carbon-adsorbed natural gas as an option for automotive fuel. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 177861 Challenges and Complexity of World’s Largest Flares-Reduction Project by Christopher Howell, Basrah Gas Company, et al. OTC 26020 Terminal and Transportation Risk Assessment for LNG Export in North America by H. Hamedifar, DNV GL, et al. SPE 176129 Storage of Natural Gas by Adsorption Process by Anshul Arora, American International Group, et al.

Prospects for Coalbed Methane and Shale Gas in a Carbon-Constrained World: A Preliminary Analysis

Using a regionally disaggregated global energy system model with a detailed treatment of the natural gas resource base, this paper analyzes the competitiveness of coalbed methane and shale gas in the global primary energy mix and the cost-optimal pattern of their production in regional detail over the period 2010-2050 under a constraint of halving global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2050 compared to the 2000 level. It is first shown that neither coalbed methane nor shale gas could become an important fuel in the global primary energy mix throughout the time horizon, although each of them could become an important source of world natural gas production from around 2030 onwards. It is then shown that unlike findings of previous studies, coalbed methane would be more attractive than shale gas as a primary energy source globally under the CO2 constraint used here. The results indicate that North America continues to be the world’s largest coalbed methane producer until 2030, after which China overtakes North America and retains this position until 2050. Also, India, Russia, South Africa, and Australia contribute noticeably to world coalbed methane production. The results also indicate that North America continues to dominate world shale gas production until 2040, after which a number of world regions, notably India, Europe, and China, begin to participate visibly in world shale gas production.

Long term forecasting of natural gas production

Natural gas is an important energy source for power generation, a chemical feedstock and residential usage. It is important to analyse the future production of conventional and unconventional natural gas. Analysis of the literature determined conventional URR estimates of 10,700–18,300EJ, and the unconventional gas URR estimates were determined to be 4250–11,000EJ. Six scenarios were assumed, with three static where demand and supply do not interact and three dynamic where it does. The projections indicate that world natural gas production will peak between 2025 and 2066 at 140–217EJ/y (133–206tcf/y). Natural gas resources are more abundant than some of the literature indicates.

The World Gas Market in 2030: Development Scenarios Using the World Gas Model

In this paper, we discuss potential developments of the world natural gas industry at the horizon of 2030. We use the World Gas Model (WGM), a dynamic, strategic representation of world natural gas production, trade, and consumption between 2005 and 2030. We specify a base case which defines the business-as-usual assumptions based on forecasts of the world energy markets. We then analyze the sensitivity of the world natural gas system with scenarios: i) the emergence of large volumes of unconventional North American natural gas reserves, such as shale gas; ii) on the contrary, tightly constrained reserves of conventional natural gas reserves in the world; and iii) the impact of CO2-constraints and the emergence of a competing environmental friendly backstop technology. Regional scenarios that have a global impact are: iv) the full halt of Russian and Caspian natural gas exports to Western Europe; v) sharply constrained production and export activities in the Arab Gulf; vi) heavily increasing demand for natural gas in China and India; and finally vii) constraints on liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure development on the US Pacific Coast. Our results show considerable changes in production, consumption, traded volumes, and prices between the scenarios. Investments in pipelines, LNG terminals and storage are also affected. However, overall the world natural gas industry is resilient to local disturbances and can compensate local supply disruptions with natural gas from other sources. Long-term supply security does not seem to be at risk.

Africa Welcomes the World In 2005 As It Hosts the 18th World Petroleum Congress

Introduction In September 2005, the African petroleum industry will host the 18th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. The principal host country is South Africa, and the principal oil and gas producing countries of Africa (Algeria, Angola, Libya, and Nigeria) are co-hosts. Each will be among the largest exhibitors in the concurrent South Africa International Oil and Gas Exhibition (SAIOGE). Both the Congress and the Exhibition will be held September 25 to 29 in the outstanding and spacious Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg's modern business district. The Congress is expected to attract 3,500 executives and 350 journalists. Over 4,500 participants and exhibitors are expected at the Congress, with over 400 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors anticipated for the Exhibition. The Congress and Exhibition will be the largest oil and gas event held in Africa. Oil and gas production in Africa continues to expand with extensive development now being achieved in West Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Gabon). At the end of 2003, total world proved remaining reserves of crude oil were estimated at 1,148 billion barrels and the share in African countries was 8.9%. In the same year, Africa's share of world crude oil production was 10.8% and consumption 3.3%. Total world proved remaining reserves of natural gas at the end of 2003 were estimated at 176 trillion cubic metres and the share in African countries was 7.8%. Africa's share of world natural gas production was 5.4% and consumption 2.6%. The progress made in Africa, along with the developments and markets served, are discussed below. South Africa The Republic of South Africa has a total area of 1,219,912 km2 with a population of 42.7 million, and is located on the southern tip of the continent of Africa. The country is divided into nine provinces, with Pretoria as the capital city, Cape Town as the legislative centre, and Bloemfontein as the judicial centre. South Africa itself has 11 languages. English is the predominant language of government, business, and the media, and can be understood by most people. The legal system is based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law. The Dutch settlers (the Boers) resisted the British encroachments after their seizure of the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, but the Dutch were defeated in the Boer War (1899 – 1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid- the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically, and ushered in Black majority rule and a democratic government. Economic Overview South Africa has the most advanced economy and the greatest industrial development on the African continent. It has an emerging middle-income market, with an abundant supply of natural resources and a stock exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in the world. The GDP per capita is $10,700 or about one third that of Canada's GDP. This is almost twice as large as that of those African countries with the next largest per capita GDP considered in this review.