Gas Compression
Hydrocarbon Gas Compression
Hydrocarbon gas compression is one of the most widespread gas compression applications in the energy industry — covering refinery process gas, natural gas processing, NGL fractionation and associated gas handling across the full spectrum of upstream, midstream and downstream operations. The hydrocarbon gas streams involved vary considerably in composition, from lean methane-rich gas to NGL-rich associated gas and hydrogen-rich refinery recycle streams, each creating distinct compression and lubrication conditions.
NEXT Lubricants supports hydrocarbon gas compression with compressor lubricants developed for process gas duties across oil refining, gas processing and petrochemical applications.
Compression process
Hydrocarbon Gas Compression — Process, Applications & Compressor Role
Hydrocarbon gas compression covers a broad range of process gas duties where the gas being compressed is a hydrocarbon stream — from lean natural gas and associated gas at the wellhead through to rich NGL-bearing streams in gas processing and hydrogen-rich recycle gas in refineries. The composition of the gas at the compressor inlet varies significantly across these applications and directly influences lubricant behaviour — heavier hydrocarbons dissolve into the lubricant under pressure, light ends affect seal performance, and hydrogen-rich streams behave very differently from conventional hydrocarbon gas.
The compressor in a hydrocarbon gas application must be matched to the specific gas composition, pressure ratio and flow characteristics of the process duty it serves. In refinery recycle gas applications, the same compressor may see changing gas composition as process conditions shift. In gas processing and NGL recovery, liquid carry-over risk at the compressor inlet is a significant design consideration alongside lubricant selection.
Refinery Process Gas
Hydrogen recycle gas compression in hydrocracking and hydrotreating units, fuel gas compression and vapour recovery across refinery process units where compressors operate continuously under high pressure and varying gas compositions.
Natural Gas Processing & NGL Extraction
Compression of gas streams through dehydration, NGL extraction and condensate stabilisation, raising partially processed gas to the pressures required for fractionation or pipeline export.
Associated Gas Compression
Collection and compression of associated gas from oil production fields and gathering networks, handling NGL-rich gas streams at varying compositions and pressures depending on the production source.
Petrochemical Feed Gas
Compression of hydrocarbon gas feedstocks for petrochemical production, including ethylene and propylene feed streams, where gas composition, pressure and process conditions are closely controlled.
Flare Gas Recovery
Compressors recover hydrocarbon gas that would otherwise be flared at refinery and petrochemical facilities, recompressing it for use as fuel gas or reinjection into the process. The gas composition is variable and can contain heavier hydrocarbons, moisture and contaminants depending on the source streams being recovered.
Related Applications
Explore Other Gas Compression Applications
Hydrocarbon gas compression is one part of a broader process and gas compression landscape. NEXT Lubricants also supports the following applications.
CO₂ Compression
Compression of carbon dioxide in carbon capture, industrial CO₂ supply and process applications where high-pressure CO₂ handling requires specific consideration.
Gas Gathering & Processing
Compression of associated gas and processed gas streams from wellhead collection through NGL extraction, dehydration and condensate stabilisation ahead of pipeline export.
Petrochemical Gas Compression
Process gas compression in petrochemical manufacturing where gas streams include reactive and specialty components under demanding operating conditions.
Sour Gas Compression
Compression of gas streams containing hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) where gas composition places specific demands on materials and lubricant compatibility.