FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is PPGPL’s role in relation to NGC?


  • NGC delivers raw unprocessed natural gas to PPGPL. PPGPL’s role is to extract the natural gas liquids
    from the gas stream and redeliver the residue gas to the NGC.

  • Does any other company supply PPGPL with natural gas?


  • Yes, Petrotrin.

  • What products does PPGPL produce?


  • PPGPL produces propane, butane and natural gasoline.

  • Are PPGPL’s products marketed locally?


  • Most of PPGPL’s products are exported. A small amount is sold locally for aerosol propellants and refrigerants.

  • What products comprise LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)?


  • Mainly propane and butane, either separately or in mixtures, which is maintained in a liquid state under pressure within the confining vessel.

  • What are the chemical symbols for propane and butane?


  •    Propane = C3H8, Butane= C4H10

  • What is LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)?


  •    The light hydrocarbon portion of natural gas, mainly methane, which has been liquefied.

  • What are NGLs (Natural Gas Liquids)?


  •    NGLs are those hydrocarbons liquefied at the surface in field facilities or in gas processing plants. Natural gas liquids include ethane, propane, butanes and natural gasoline.

  • What are referred to as the heavy ends in the natural gas stream?


  •    The portion of a hydrocarbon mixture which has the highest boiling point. Usually hexanes and heptanes and all heavier hydrocarbons are the heavy ends in the natural gas stream.

  • What are the light ends?


  •    The low boiling easily evaporated components of a hydrocarbon liquid mixture such as methane and ethane.

  • What is residue gas?


  •     The material which remains after a separation process. Residue gas is that gas remaining after the recovery of liquid products.   

  • Who are the downstream consumers?


  • All the consumers or users of PPGPL’s residue gas supplied to NGC. They include ammonia, methanol, steel, power generation, cement and some light manufacturers.

  •   What is condensate?


  •   The hydrocarbon liquid separated from natural gas because of changes in temperature and pressure when the gas from the reservoir was delivered to the surface separators.

  •   What is the meaning of cryogenic process?


  •   A process whereby extremely low temperatures are achieved (-131F) by removing energy from the natural gas stream to produce natural gas liquid products including ethane. The major equipment in the cryogenic process is the expander-compressor.

  •   What is the meaning of fractionation?


  •   The separation of a mixture of hydrocarbons into individual products based on difference in boiling point and/or relative volatility. The lightest product, being more volatile, boils first, is separated from the mixture and through cooling methods forms the pure product liquid.