Sour-gas technology tested at New Mexico well

April 12, 2007
Nestco LLC has reported results of preliminary tests of a portable sour-gas scrubbing unit at a gas well in Jal, NM.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 12 -- Nestco LLC has reported results of preliminary tests of a portable sour-gas scrubbing unit at a gas well in Jal, NM.

The well, operated by an undisclosed company, produces 70 Mcfd of gas containing 40,000 ppm hydrogen sulfide. The scrubbing unit reduced the H2S concentration to 250 ppm before the test was stopped due to technical problems with the well.

Nestco said it believes the unit can cut the H2S level to 0 ppm, citing laboratory tests with gas with 100,000 ppm H2S.

The full-scale field unit, first tested on Oct. 2, 2006, has a capacity of 250 Mcfd of gas. It can operate at high temperatures and at pressures of 10-100 psi.

Nestco said it is negotiating with three operators to conduct tests at their wellsites. It plans to conduct long-term tests by hooking up the unit as a bypass to amine plants.

Nestco's sour-gas treatment process uses patented metal hydride compounds that do not require regeneration. The system rejects hydrocarbon adsorption and removes more sour gas than amine systems and "substantially reduces" corrosion and seal failures, Nestco said.