The oil and gas industry is one of the world’s most volatile, ever-changing industries. No two days are alike for an oil and gas operator. One day you might be drilling for natural gas, and the next, you might be working on a pipeline project. Its innate versatility is what makes it so challenging yet alluring at the same time. It is also the reason why propane plays such an important role in oil and gas from using locally sourced propane suppliers in Grand Prairie.
There are many questions that come to mind when it comes to the oil and gas industry, but one of the most important ones is: how does oil and gas benefit?
1. Burning of natural gas:
Burning natural gas is one way that the oil and gas industry benefits from the use of propane. Petroleum products such as natural gas, crude oil, and chemicals are burned in several processes throughout their life cycle. These processes include drilling, fracking, and refining. Though these three processes have similar purposes, each uses different types of fossil fuels (natural gas vs. crude oil vs. petrochemical).
The burning of fossil fuels for energy is a necessity for our society these days. While natural gas burns cleaner than other fossil fuels, the burning of gas does produce some carbon dioxide and methane. As a cleaner-burning fuel, natural gas is great for our environment and is abundant in North America. Natural gas makes up 64% of all U.S. energy sources (wind power is 8%).
Propane is commonly used in the oil and gas industry to help control the temperature of their processes, as well as transport their products across North America and even overseas to Europe or Asia. Propane is used to control the temperature of a propane dehydrator and the process of condensing natural gas. Propane is also used to transport natural gas across North America and, depending on the site, overseas (to Europe and Asia).
2. Extraction of oil:
Another way that propane benefits the oil and gas industry is in its extraction processes. The formation of crude oil involves several extraction processes, including drilling, fracking, and heating/processing. Though natural gas is mainly used for refining crude oil, the burning of gas for energy is a feature of both. Natural gas is often found in places that are rich in oil, from fields to deposits.
Propane is often used to heat crude oil during extraction. Other purposes propane serves to include keeping the temperature constant and carrying it to a processing plant. Propane from propane suppliers in Grand Prairie can also be used for heating and cooling wells during the extraction process. Heating the oil increases the flow while cooling it keeps it from being heated past its boiling point.
3. Refining of oil:
Refining means processing crude oil into usable petrochemical products. Natural gas is commonly found in crude oil and is an integral part of the process of refining. Propane is used for heating and cooling the refineries where certain petrochemical products are made.
Propane is also used to transport the oil from the refinery and other places across North America. It is also often used for transporting different products made during the refining process. Propane is also important in helping control pollution during the refining process.
4. Transportation of products:
Propane is used to carry natural gas liquids and refined products on land or by sea. Its versatility makes it an important part of the oil and gas industry, from transporting crude oil from extraction sites to propane dehydrators to refineries and even to the end destination where its products are used.
Propane is also used to transport crude oil in different ways, including rail and truck. Some propane processes include transporting natural gas liquids, refining crude oil via the refining process, and transporting refined products.
5. How do oil and gas benefit from using propane in their fields?
While Propane is an important part of the oil and gas industry, it plays an even more significant role in field operations. Propane is used to help heat and cool the various equipment in the field, whether it be drilling, fracking, or just transporting their products.
Propane is used to help maintain the temperature of a propane dehydrator and heat and cooling piping during production. In addition to maintaining temperatures safely in the field, propane is also used for other equipment, such as welding.
6. Fielding of oil & gas products:
Oil and gas operators use propane in the field for several reasons. For example, they use it to heat and cool the various pieces of equipment that they use daily. They also use propane to transport their products across North America and internationally. Propane is also used to keep the temperature constant during oil extraction and refining processes and to cool natural gas liquids during the refinement process.
Conclusion
Though propane is used for several purposes in the oil and gas industry, including heating/cooling equipment, transporting natural gas liquids and refined products, maintaining the temperature in remote locations, as well as propane dehydrators, all of these processes use different types of fossil fuels.
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