DOE funds GTL study for TAPS

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the University of Alaska-Fairbanks a $560,235 contract to study the best method for shipping petroleum liquids synthesized from North Slope natural gas through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). The university, which will provide another $139,681, will examine scenarios for gas-to-liquids (GTL) transport through TAPS, using GTL products made in various experimental facilities.

Oct. 12, 1998

2 min read

The university, which will provide another $139,681, will examine scenarios for gas-to-liquids (GTL) transport through TAPS, using GTL products made in various experimental facilities.

For example, the researchers will study whether the chemically formed liquids can be commingled with naturally produced crude oil, or whether they will have to be shipped through the pipeline in separate batches.

Also during the 32-month project, researchers will examine the composition and characteristics of various GTL products that could be pumped through TAPS.

They will study the flow behavior of the liquids and how the flow characteristics might change if these liquids are blended with crude oil. The research will involve North Slope producers and Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., operator of the pipeline.

Prof. Vidyadhar Kamath of the university's petroleum engineering department will head the project.

North Slope future

DOE said that converting North Slope gas to liquids could enable TAPS to remain in operation as production continues to decline from conventional North Slope oil fields.

It said that, in about 20 years, North Slope oil output could fall below the pipeline's 200,000-400,000 b/d economic threshold, but a viable GTL industry on the North Slope could extend pipeline operations 25 years or more and create up to 25,000 jobs for the state.

Alaskan North Slope gas reserves are pegged at about 25 tcf. This resource has been the focus of several pipeline and liquefied natural gas project proposals in the past 20 years-the latest of which involves delivery of North Slope gas as LNG to Asia via a pipeline to LNG export facilities in southern Alaska (OGJ, Aug. 24, 1998, Newsletter).