CNG Transport Technology is Delivering on Promises

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractNatural gas supply shortfalls are forecasted for the next decade in the U.S. and certain other markets worldwide. Most ongoing efforts to address these shortfalls, such as LNG enhancements and the transition of GTL science from the laboratory to the field, require low gas prices and huge volumes to generate adequate economic returns, and thus have necessitated the targeting of large and remote sources.The marine transport of compressed natural gas (CNG) represents a different approach to the delivery challenge, and recent breakthroughs in technology are providing CNG with the ability to cost effectively ship much larger volumes of gas over greater distances. Thus, CNG is expected to help economically access moderately sized resources (typically 1-5 Tcf) with greater scalability and flexibility while lowering overall capital requirements. Adding to CNG's attractiveness are the modest fixed infrastructure investments needed at the production and market delivery points, and a high degree of security through the use of offshore loading and offloading operations.

The feasibility of the introduction of natural gas into the electricity production system in the island of Crete (Greece)

“…CNG shows lower production and storage cost compared to LNG as it does not require an expensive cooling process and cryogenic tanks (Dunlop and White, 2003). CNG requires a much larger volume to store gas equivalent compared to the respective gasoline or diesel.…”

Study of Joule-Thomson cooling effect due to leakage in compressed gas pressure vessels

“…Thus, CNG technology is expected to help economically access moderately sized reserves (typically 1-5 Tcf) with greater scalability and flexibility while lowering overall investment. [7] Wang, Xiuli et al [24] show that for shorter distances (e.g., 1 Technically, compressed natural gas (CNG) is easy to deploy with higher flexibility of infrastructure and facilities. One could visualize the CNG solution comparable to a floating pipeline, with much less basic facilities required for exploitation of the natural gas reserve.…”

“…The design used high cost alloy steel and the project was deemed to be sub-economic and was decommissioned after a few transits. [7] As the desire to exploit gas from more isolated and challenging sources increased towards the end of the 1990's, interest in CNG project re-emerged. Subsequently, "Coselle" and "VOTRANS" technologies were brought about, which are two close-at-hand commercial highpressure gas storage and transport technologies for CNG.…”

“…The conception of the "Coselle" pressure vessel and the development of the Coselle Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Carrier promise to improve the economics of natural gas transportation over short marine routes and from modest reserves by reducing the manufacturing cost of the gas containment system by spooling small diameter (6 inch or so) coiled tubing into large carrousels. [7,12] To put it more specifically, the Coselle is a high-pressure gas storage and transportation system based on a coil of relatively small-diameter pipe (6 to 8 inches, about 15 to 20 cm) sitting in a steel-girder carousel. Considering the natural gas pressured up to 3,000 psi at ambient temperature, a typical CNG carrier assembled with 108 carousels can offer up to 330…”

“…With the substantial new demand and with new robust market opportunities expected to arise, the ways of transporting the gas from offshore reserves and overseas sources have generated considerable and renewed interest and a flurry of activities in the development of new technologies to deliver these valuable hydrocarbons to market have being created. [6][7][8][9] Several transportation technologies of natural gas are introduced here.…”