scholarly journals Spectrometric measurements of atmospheric propane (C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 10727-10743
Author(s):  
Geoffrey C. Toon ◽  
Jean-Francois L. Blavier ◽  
Keeyoon Sung ◽  
Katelyn Yu
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Absorption Feature ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Permian Basin ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Solar Absorption ◽  
Back Trajectories ◽  
Oil And Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Fields

Abstract. We report measurements of atmospheric C3H8 from analysis of ground-based solar absorption spectra from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) MkIV interferometer. Using the strong Q-branch absorption feature at 2967 cm−1, we can measure C3H8 in locations where its abundance is enhanced by proximity to sources (e.g., large natural gas fields, megacities). A case study of MkIV C3H8 measurements from Fort Sumner, New Mexico, shows that amounts are strongly correlated with ethane (C2H6) and with back-trajectories from SE New Mexico and western Texas, where the Permian Basin oil and natural gas field is located. Measurements from JPL, California, also show large C3H8 enhancements on certain days but more correlated with CO than C2H6. From high-altitude balloon-borne MkIV solar occultation measurements, C3H8 was not detected at any altitude (5–40 km) in any of the 25 flights.

scholarly journals Spectrometric measurements of atmospheric propane (C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey C. Toon ◽  
Jean-Francois L. Blavier ◽  
Keeyoon Sung ◽  
Katelyn Yu
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Absorption Feature ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Permian Basin ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Solar Absorption ◽  
Back Trajectories ◽  
Oil And Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Fields

Abstract. We report measurements of atmospheric C3H8 from analysis of ground-based, solar absorption spectra from the JPL MkIV interferometer. Using the strong Q-branch absorption feature at 2967 cm−1, we can measure C3H8 in locations where its abundance is enhanced by proximity to sources (e.g., large natural gas fields, mega-cities). A case study of MkIV C3H8 measurements from Ft. Sumner, New Mexico, show large variations that are strongly correlated with ethane (C2H6) amounts and with back-trajectories from SE New Mexico and West Texas, where the Permian Basin oil and natural gas field is located. Measurements from JPL, California, also show large C3H8 enhancements on certain days, but more correlated with CO than C2H6. From MKIV solar occultation measurements from balloon, C3H8 was not detected at any altitude in any flight.

scholarly journals The Development of a Low-Cost Method for Monitoring Methane Leakage from the Subsurface of Natural Gas Fields

Methane ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-37
Author(s):  
Muhammad Alfiza Farhan ◽  
Yuichi Sugai ◽  
Nuhindro Priagung Widodo ◽  
Syafrizal Syafrizal
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Methane Concentration ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Methane Leakage ◽  
Wide Scale ◽  
Adsorbed Methane ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
Gas Fields

The leakage of methane from the subsurface on the coalfield or natural gas field invariably becomes an important issue nowadays. In notable addition, materials such as activated carbon, zeolites, and Porapak have been successfully identified as adsorbents. Those adsorbents could adsorb methane at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Therefore, in this scholarly study, a new method using adsorbents to detect points of methane leakage that can cover a wide-scale area was developed. In the beginning, the most capable adsorbent should be determined by quantifying adsorbed methane amount. Furthermore, checking the possibility of adsorption in the column diffusion and desorption method of adsorbents is equally necessary. The most capable adsorbent was activated carbon (AC), which can adsorb 1.187 × 10−3 mg-CH4/g-AC. Hereinafter, activated carbon successfully can adsorb methane through column diffusion, which simulates the situation of on-site measurement. The specific amount of adsorbed methane when the initial concentrations of CH4 in a bag were 200 ppm, 100 ppm, and 50 ppm was found to be 0.818 × 10−3 mg-CH4/g-AC, 0.397 × 10−3 mg-CH4/g-AC, 0.161 × 10−3 mg-CH4/g-AC, respectively. Desorption of activated carbon analysis shows that methane concentration increases during an hour in the temperature bath under 80 °C. In conclusion, soil methane leakage points can be detected using activated carbon by identifying the observed methane concentration increase.

Comparison of isotopic compositions of hydrocarbon gas in shallow groundwater and a deep oil and natural gas reservoir in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 207-229
Author(s):  
Diana B. Loomer ◽  
Kerry T.B. MacQuarrie ◽  
Tom A. Al
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Isotopic Signature ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Hydrocarbon Gases ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Isotopic Analyses ◽  
Oil And Natural Gas ◽  
Hydrocarbon Gas

Isotopic analyses of natural gas from the Stoney Creek oil field in New Brunswick indicate carbon (δ13C) and hydrogen (δ2H) values in methane (C1) of -42.4 ± 0.7‰ VPDB and -220.9 ± 3.2‰ VSMOW, respectively. Isotopic data and a gas molecular ratio of 12 ± 1 indicate a wet thermogenic gas formed with oil near the onset of the oil-gas transition zone. The isotopic profiles of the C1–C5 hydrocarbon gases are consistent with kinetic isotope effect models. The Albert Formation of the Horton Group hosts the Stoney Creek oil field (SCOF) and the McCully gas field (MCGF) the only other gas-producing field in the province. Both are thermogenic in origin; however, the SCOF gas has a lower thermal maturity than the MCGS. Hydrocarbon gas composition in shallow aquifers across southeastern New Brunswick was also evaluated. Gas source interpretations based on δ13C and δ2H values are uncertain; oxidation and biogenic overprinting are common and complicate interpretation. The effect of oxidation on δ13C and δ2H values was apparent when C1 concentrations were ≤1 mg/L. In some samples with C1 concentrations >5 mg/L, isotopic discrimination methods point to a biogenic origin. However, the molecular ratios <75 and the presence of >C3 fractions, indicate a thermogenic origin. This suggests a thermogenic isotopic signature has been overprinted by biological activity.

Natural gas separation at CO2CRC's Otway National Research Facility

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 803
Author(s):  
Abdul Qader ◽  
Jai Kant Pandit
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Separation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Commercial Application ◽  
Research Facility ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Gas Fields ◽  
The University

CO2CRC, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the University of New South Wales, is testing two novel CO2 capture technologies designed for both on-shore and off-shore natural gas applications in a state-of-the-art experimental capture rig at CO2CRC’s Otway National Research Facility. The goal is to develop robust and compact technology for high pressure natural gas separation over a range of adjusted high CO2 concentrations mimicking various gas field conditions. These technologies would facilitate developing new gas fields to recover methane in a cost-effective manner which is currently uneconomical with conventional technologies. In the first stage of testing, commercially available materials (adsorbents and membranes) were used for benchmarking. Results from both adsorbent and membrane technologies are encouraging with respect to recovery and purity of CO2 and methane with the prospect of commercial application.

scholarly journals Concurrent variation in oil and gas methane emissions and oil price during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Lyon ◽  
Benjamin Hmiel ◽  
Ritesh Gautam ◽  
Mark Omara ◽  
Kate Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Permian Basin ◽  
Natural Gas Production ◽  
Oil And Natural Gas

Abstract. Methane emissions associated with the production, transport, and use of oil and natural gas increase the climatic impacts of energy use; however, little is known about how emissions vary temporally and with commodity prices. We present airborne and ground-based data, supported by satellite observations, to measure weekly to monthly changes in total methane emissions in the United States’ Permian Basin during a period of volatile oil prices associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. As oil prices declined from ~$ 60 to $ 20 per barrel, emissions changed concurrently from 3.4 % to 1.5 % of gas production; as prices partially recovered, emissions increased back to near initial values. Concurrently, total oil and natural gas production only declined by a maximum of ~10 % from the peak values seen in the months prior to the crash. Activity data indicate that a rapid decline in well development and subsequent effects on associated gas flaring and midstream infrastructure throughput are the likely drivers of temporary emission reductions. Our results, along with past satellite observations, suggest that under more typical price conditions, the Permian Basin is in a state of overcapacity in which rapidly growing natural gas production exceeds midstream capacity and leads to high methane emissions.

Subsurface Tension

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-474
Author(s):  
Kameron B. Smith
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
The State ◽  
Oil Boom ◽  
Oil And Natural Gas ◽  
Water Imports

A recent oil boom in Southern New Mexico has resulted in increased hydraulic fracturing operations in the region and, as a result, a steady and reliable supply of water to fuel such operations is required. As New Mexico regulations make it difficult to acquire a steady supply of water within the state, oil and natural gas producers are turning to unregulated areas in Texas, which permit unlimited pumping of groundwater. However, this groundwater is being pumped from the Pecos Valley aquifer, which is the same source of water that New Mexico is regulating within its borders. This issue is only one in a series of interstate water feuds between the two states. This Comment identifies the current practice of groundwater imports from Texas into New Mexico and the methods New Mexico might employ to limit or prevent such imports. Additionally, this Comment discusses an interstate compact as an alternative to New Mexico attempting to regulate water imports, which would undoubtedly lead to extensive litigation.

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