Gas Compression
Natural Gas Infrastructure
Natural gas infrastructure connects production fields to end users through thousands of kilometres of pipelines, compressor stations, storage facilities and distribution networks — making it one of the most compression-intensive industries in the world. Compressors are the backbone of this system, operating continuously to move and store gas at every stage of the supply chain.
NEXT Lubricants supports natural gas infrastructure with compressor lubricants developed for pipeline transmission, underground storage, gas gathering and distribution compression.
Compression process
Natural Gas Infrastructure — Process, Applications & Compressor Role
Natural gas moves from production fields to end users through a staged compression system — gathered at the wellhead, transported through high-pressure transmission pipelines, stored underground during low-demand periods and distributed through regional and local networks to industrial, commercial and residential consumers. At each stage, compressors maintain the pressure needed to move gas through the system against pipeline resistance and elevation changes, and to inject or withdraw gas from storage at the required flow rates and pressures.
Compressors in natural gas infrastructure operate continuously under sustained mechanical load — often in remote or unmanned locations where extended maintenance intervals and high reliability are primary operational requirements. Gas quality varies across the supply chain — from rich associated gas at the gathering stage through to dry specification-quality gas in transmission and distribution service — creating different operating conditions and lubricant demands at different points in the system.
Pipeline Transmission
High-pressure transmission compressors move natural gas through long-distance pipelines, maintaining the pressure required to transport gas from production regions and import terminals to consumption centres and storage facilities.
Underground Gas Storage
Compressors inject natural gas into underground storage formations during low-demand periods and withdraw it during peak demand, operating across variable pressure and flow conditions as storage inventory changes through the year.
Gas Gathering & Field Compression
At the upstream end of the supply chain, gathering compressors collect gas from wellheads and production facilities, compressing it to the pressures required for entry into processing plants or transmission pipelines.
City Gate & Distribution Compression
At the downstream end, compressors regulate pressure between high-pressure transmission systems and lower-pressure regional distribution networks, maintaining supply to industrial, commercial and residential consumers.
Related Applications
Explore Other Gas Compression Applications
Natural gas infrastructure is one part of a broader 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.
Hydrocarbon Gas Compression
Process gas compression in oil refining and gas processing across a range of hydrocarbon gas streams and operating conditions.
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.