Real- Time Monetization of the Flared Associated Stranded Natural Gas in Nigeria: Quantitative Analysis and Qualitative Values

Abstract

Repeatedly, through various medium, a lot of people have stated the daily, monthly and yearly quantities of the Nigerian Associated Natural Gas being flared, as well as the financial losses associated with the continued flaring, the possible alternative power and industrial values of the flared natural gas, the environmental and health impacts associated with flaring. This research paper is the first of more then, six papers in series, designed to evaluate the exact real-time quantitative analysis and establish the exact real-time qualitative values of the associated stranded natural gas flared by any particular flare line, hence, inform the development of the possible micro skid mounted/modular processing unit for that particular flare line. Each flare line could be proposed to mainly yield a specified end-product such as; Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas  (LPG), conversion to synthetic liquids (GTL-gasoline, diesel etc), generation of electricity (power), raw materials (chemical feedstocks) for the chemical industry (i.e. for the manufacture of chemicals especially synthetic organic chemicals), thus making impact on secondary heavy industries that rely mainly on chemical industry for their raw materials, such as those manufacturing textiles, especially the artificial fibres, plastics of all description, rubber, nitrogen fertilizers, dyestuffs, detergents and pharmaceuticals. This opening paper gives an overview of the associated stranded natural gas that is currently flared or vented as well as the various Acts, Decrees, Agreements, Budget Pronouncement and penalties issued by the Nigerian Government starting from Decree 99 referred to as "associated gas re-injection Act of 1979” to the 1999 monetization policy that made the biggest impact. This paper also, contains the overview of the varying composition of natural gas depending on the source, the statistically computed typical composition (mole %) of the flared associated stranded natural gas in Nigeria and the computed possible sweetened quantitative real-time daily, monthly and yearly quantities of the various components of the flared associated stranded natural gas, expected to yield the various useful qualitative end products for monetization. Generally, this is expected to achieve zero point to point associated stranded natural gas flaring.