Comment - Impact Issue 3, 2012

Ed Daniels, Executive Vice President, Shell Projects & Technology

One of the key challenges the industry faces right now is how to handle the increasing sulphur concentrations in oil and natural gas feedstocks. In most process industries, the aim is to combine ingredients to create perfect products. In the oil and gas industry, things are a little different. Turning natural hydrocarbons into valuable products requires a sustained process of purification and contaminant removal. By definition, it is what is taken out of raw materials that add value to refined products. In this issue of Impact, we examine a selection of proven and emerging sulphur removal solutions.

Tightening of fuel specifications has pushed the sulphur content of diesel and gasoline down to their lowest-ever levels in most parts of the world. This has prompted extraordinary developments in catalyst technology and encouraged the catalyst industry to build on these successes and look for the “next big challenge”.

Processing high-sulphur natural gas is one of the challenges facing Petroleum Development Oman. Gas from the Yibal Khuff Sudair development project will contain about 3% hydrogen sulphide and will require treatment to an ultra-high sulphur recovery level of 99.9% to meet Oman’s sulphur dioxide emission regulations, which are among the most stringent in the world.

Biological gas desulphurisation methods are fast becoming an established tool in sulphur removal. Around the world, operators are finding that these relatively simple processes require less equipment than conventional methods and can deliver great results.

Biological sulphur removal is also a key part of the integrated gasification combined-cycle process. Treating hydrogen-sulphide-rich streams using the THIOPAQ O&G system can help operators to reduce expenditure and equipment handling, will facilitate maintenance and help to improve plant safety.

Overcoming these sulphur challenges will assist the industry with moving into new areas. This will help to unlock the value of unconventional hydrocarbon assets and increase the options open to refinery operators while continuing to minimise emissions and to reduce the sulphur content of products.