With the increase in hydrocarbon production in the Neuquén basin, the industry in Dead cow is thinking about solutions to face what is beginning to become a problem due to the lack of transportation capacity: the associated gas to unconventional oil. The challenge is to be able to manage it, even monetize it through industrialization or exporting it.
In the first Midstream Dayorganized by the Argentine Institute of Oil and Gas (IAPG) In the city of Neuquén, the companies presented the projects they are working on to address the increased production of natural gas and gas associated with shale crude oil. This was the first part of Day 1 of this exchange space, which will continue on Wednesday at the Magic Casino.
Associated gas, that which comes from oil and which, many times, ends up being vented due to lack of processing and transportation infrastructure, is an economic, environmental and technical problem for companies. The increase in shale oil brings with it a greater volume of associated gas, which would be around 15 million cubic meters per day (MMm3/d) in Neuquénaccording to sources consulted for Better Energy.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Neuquénoil production reached 394 thousand barrels per day of oil (93% is from Vaca Muerta) and 105.59 MMm3/d of natural gas (88% is of unconventional origin). A double record for the province, with Vaca Muerta as a lever.
YPFthrough their references Sebastian Vazquez and Ignacio Chaparromentioned the project of turbo expander in Loma La Lata, a facility that was stopped for 17 years and that had been designed to take advantage of the production of that field in pre-Vaca Muerta times. With more than 100 million dollars, the company controlled by the national State tripled its gas reception capacity and improved liquid management.
In the case of MEGAwhose conference was given by Pablo Popikwhich industrializes a good part of the gas from the Neuquén basin, continues with its scalable expansion with the objective that the plant, which has the only liquid pipeline to Bahía Blanca, manages 7,000 tons per day between 2026 and 2028 (it would be an increase of 50% of current capacity).
So much MEGA and Transportadora Gas del Sur (TGS) They are giving added value to Neuquén gas, although with additional infrastructure involved there can be a leap in scale. In fact, TGS recently presented its project to expand transportation systems with an investment of 700 million dollars.
Sandra Romeroof TGS, detailed about the modular expansion of the company’s plant inTrayén. The solutions target different types of gases, including those that have more liquids. Expansions through modular plants, according to TGS, accompany unconventional deposits with a greater margin of flexibility.
Associated gas is one of the big problems in the unconventional exploitation of hydrocarbons, which is why questions similar to those present in Vaca Muerta are also being asked in the United States at this IAPG Comahue Midstream Conference.
However, the management of those millions of cubic meters, finding viability as a business and not being left behind with the growth of production is already beginning to be a topic of debate among companies to face a future for Vaca Muerta with more oil and gas.
