Dr. Mohammed H. S.

Zangana

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of

Engineering, Koya University

Natural Gas Engineering

Course reading list

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 Natural Gas Engineering

Course Name: Natural Gas Engineering (Theory and Tutorial)

Lecturer: Dr. Mohammed H.S. Zangana
Department: Petroleum Engineering
Faculty: Engineering
University: Koya
Email: mohammed.zangana@koyauniversity.org

Course coordinator:
Department: Petroleum Engineering
Faculty: Engineering
University: Koya
Email:

Natural Gas Engineering

 Introduction;

 Gas Properties;

 Gas Reservoir Performance

 Flow in Wells

 Flow In Pipelines

 Gas Compression

 Flow Measuring

 Gas Processing

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Although natural gas has been utilized as a fuel for more than 150 -200
years, the large demand for it has developed not very long ago. The
principal reason for this is the greater difficulty of storing and
transporting gas as compared to liquid fuels. Initially, natural gas was
used only in the areas in which it was produced, with excess production
being vented to the air or flared. This was especially true of gas
produced along with the oil in oil fields.

The development of large diameter, high pressure pipelines and

compressors, along with the technology of gas storage in reservoirs, has
spurred both the demand for natural gas and the development of the
technology required to produce and transport it.

This is illustrated in the United States by the fact that natural gas supplied
more than 30% of the total energy demand in 1980 as compared to 18% in
1950 and less than 4% in 1920 1.

1 Beggs, H.D, (1991), "Gas production operations", published by OGCI

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Total U.S. natural gas production, consumption, and net imports (trillion cubic feet)2

2 U.S. Energy Information Administration ( eia)

The increased demand has also greatly increased the price obtained
for the gas.
In 1950 the average price for natural gas in the United States was about
$0.07 per thousand standard cubic foot (Mscf), and as late as 1970 the
price averaged only about $0.17/Mscf. In 1980 the average price had
increased to more than $0.90/Mscf 1.

1 Beggs, H.D, (1991), "Gas production operations", published by OGCI

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 Price of U.S. Natural Gas Exports (Dollars/ Mscf) 2

2 U.S. Energy Information Administration ( eia)

Natural gas extraction by countries in cubic meters per year.

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Uses of Natural Gas

U.S. Energy Information Administration (eia)

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 Uses Of Natural Gas

Natural Gas Use By Sector

U.S. Energy Information Administration (eia)

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Uses Of Natural Gas

Natural Gas Use By Sector

U.S. Energy Information Administration (eia)

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Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases with some impurities, mainly
nitrogen (N2) , hydrogen sulfide (H2S) , and carbon dioxide (CO2) , Gases
containing significant amounts of H2S or CO2 or both are called sour
or acid gases. These impurities must be removed before the gas is used as a
fuel.

The hydrocarbon gases are methane, ethane, propane, butanes, pentanes,

and small amounts of hexanes, heptanes, and some heavier fractions. In gas
used for fuel, methane is the largest component, usually 95 to 98%.

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The actual composition of a natural gas can vary over wide ranges. Even two
gas wells producing from the same reservoir may have different compositions.

Typical Natural Gas Compositions

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Dry Gas: the fluid exists as a gas both in the reservoir and the piping
system. The only liquid associated with the gas from a dry gas reservoir is
water.

Phase diagram of a dry gas

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Wet Gas: the fluid initially exists as a gas in the reservoir and remains in
the gaseous phase as pressure declines at reservoir temperature. However,
in being produced to the surface, the temperature also drops, causing
condensation in the piping system and separator.

Phase diagram of a wet gas

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Associated Gas: many oil reservoirs exist at the bubble point pressure
of the fluid system at initial conditions. Free gas can be produced from
the gas cap of such a system. Gas which is initially dissolved in the oil
can also be produced as free gas at the surface. The phase diagram of
such a system will depend on the properties of the oil associated with
the gas.

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The engineer involved in gas production operations has one principal

objective:
to move the gas from some location in an underground reservoir to a
pipeline that may be used to transport it to its final destination.

Gas Production Operations covers essentially all of the operations

involved in moving natural gas from its initial location in the reservoir
to Its final destination, including movement of the gas through the
reservoir, the piping system, separation facilities. and finally a
compressor.

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Thank You

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