UOP, Petronas to Collaborate on Gas Processing Technology

UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, is expected to collaborate with Malaysia’s Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), on natural gas processing technology.

The joint development program is focused on technology to overcome challenges faced by producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as they seek to monetize natural gas more economically by moving gas processing from onshore facilities to ships that will moor closer to offshore gas fields, a statement said.

The program will center on advanced carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption technology to improve the reliability of equipment used to remove contaminants from natural gas before it is liquefied, while also reducing the weight and footprint of the equipment onboard ships. Technical improvements developed to better meet LNG specifications may also be deployed in the next generation of onshore and offshore gas processing equipment.

As part of the joint program, PETRONAS and UOP scientists will work on designs for next-generation equipment to overcome challenges posed by gas treatment onboard ships, and the two companies will design and build a land-based pilot plant to demonstrate the technology.