Natural gas has become the "clean" fuel of choice and demand is rapidly out-stripping supply.   But natural gas as it is found in nature is very different from the natural gas used by consumers.  To preserve its efficient burning, non-corrosive and low-pollution properties, pipeline natural gas must be almost pure methane gas.  As it emerges from the well, however, it is frequently contaminated with moisture, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, sulfur and other hydrocarbons.  At some point in the extraction, transportation or treatment stages, gas processing removes these impurities and extraneous hydrocarbon molecules.

Gas Processing Isn’t What It Used to Be.  Processing natural gas usually involves four main processes – oil and condensate removal, water removal, separation of natural gas liquids, and sulfur and carbon dioxide removal.  Additionally, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and synthetic gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels have become more important components of natural gas processing.  Whereas much of the world’s natural gas was once “flared” or burned in the field while producing the more valuable oil, increased demand and technological advances have reduced the cost of liquefying and transporting natural gas. Producing LNG has freed stranded reserves and allowed the transportation of gas over long distances using a virtual transoceanic pipeline of LNG tankers.  The combination of strong fuel prices, better technology, and the increasing demand for cleaner fuels has made ultra-low sulfur "synthetic" GTL fuels economically viable, again freeing previously stranded natural gas reserves.

Gas processing plants are complex, capital intensive facilities.  DDS’ technological solutions, with our portfolio of products and services, support the industry to become larger, more cost-effective and technically sophisticated facilities with increased economies of scale.  Satisfying the requirements of these larger technically demanding facilities is where DDS’ extraordinary experience and capabilities pay off in solutions that are enabling industry advances.

Large Infrastructure is the Rule.  According to the American Gas Association’s Gas Facts, in 2004, there were almost 40,000 miles of gas gathering pipelines in North America alone bringing natural gas from the wellhead to gas processing plants.  All of these pipelines need the clean, economical, efficient, reliable, and long-lived compression supplied by DDS.

Efficient Handling of Gases and Liquids is Essential.  Gas processing facilities are tailored to the specific requirement of the gas field feedstocks that they are processing.  As a consequence, no two facilities are exactly alike.  But regardless of the processes involved, they all move large volumes of gas and liquids through miles of pipelines, reaction vessels and storage tanks.  Compact, reliable, and efficient pumping and compression power like that supplied by DDS is essential for economical design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Energy Efficiency is Key.  Gas processing, in particular LNG and GTL plants are energy intensive. The many stages and working conditions in their processes make them ideally suited for gas expander and cold power energy recovery systems using DDS’ unique technologies.