Oil and gas are both fossil fuels that are formed from the remains of dead organisms over millions of years. While they are both hydrocarbons, they are distinct in their composition and properties. Oil is a liquid that is typically found in underground reservoirs, whereas gas is a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons that can be found in the same reservoirs or separate ones.
To extract gas from oil, a process known as gas processing is used. Gas processing is a series of operations that separate the various components of natural gas from the oil, including methane, ethane, propane, butane, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). This process begins with the initial separation of oil and gas, which occurs as the fluids are pumped to the surface.
Once the oil and gas are separated, the gas is typically transported via pipeline to a processing plant. The first step in gas processing is to remove any impurities that may be present in the gas. This is done by passing the gas through a series of filters and scrubbers, which remove water, sulfur compounds, and other contaminants.
Next, the gas is cooled to remove any remaining water vapor and liquid hydrocarbons. This is done using a refrigeration process, where the gas is cooled to very low temperatures, causing the liquids to condense and separate from the gas. The liquids that are extracted during this process are known as natural gas liquids (NGLs), which include propane, butane, and ethane.
The final step in gas processing is to separate the methane from the other hydrocarbons. This is done using a process called fractionation, which involves cooling the gas further until the individual hydrocarbons begin to condense at different temperatures. The methane, which is the primary component of natural gas, is separated from the other hydrocarbons, which are typically sold separately as NGLs.
Once the gas has been processed, it can be transported via pipeline to end-users such as power plants, homes, and businesses. It is also possible to convert gas into liquid form for transportation via tanker, which is known as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Gas is made from oil through a process known as gas processing. This process involves separating the various components of natural gas from the oil, including methane, ethane, propane, butane, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Gas processing is a critical step in the production and transportation of natural gas, which is an essential energy source for many industries and households around the world.