Gas Compression
Hydrocarbon Gas Compressor Lubricants
NEXT Lubricants supplies compressor lubricants for hydrocarbon gas compression across oil refining, natural gas processing, NGL fractionation, associated gas handling and petrochemical feed gas applications. Product selection is based on gas composition, operating pressure, compressor design and the specific process conditions of the installation.
Knowledge
Lubrication Considerations for Hydrocarbon Gas Compression
Gas Solubility & Lubricant Dilution
Heavier hydrocarbon components in the compressed gas can dissolve into the compressor lubricant under operating conditions, reducing lubricant viscosity and affecting film strength at bearings and cylinder walls. The extent of this effect depends on gas composition, operating pressure and temperature — and is more pronounced in NGL-rich and condensate-bearing gas streams than in lean natural gas service.
Condensation of Heavy Components
In compressors handling NGL-rich or condensate-bearing gas streams, heavier hydrocarbon fractions can condense within the compressor under certain operating conditions, washing lubricant from cylinder walls and increasing component wear risk. Suction scrubbing and compressor design play a role in managing this, but lubricant selection must account for the potential for liquid carry-over at the compressor inlet.
Hydrogen-Rich Gas Service
Refinery recycle gas applications — including hydrocracking and hydrotreating — involve hydrogen-rich gas streams where hydrogen's low molecular weight and high diffusivity influence compressor behaviour and can affect lubricant performance in ways that differ from hydrocarbon-only gas duties. Lubricant compatibility with hydrogen-rich gas under operating conditions is a relevant consideration in these applications.
products
Hydrocarbon Gas Compressor Lubricants
NEXT GPL MIN
Light Hydrocarbon Compression Lubricant
Base Oil: Mineral
ISO Range: 32 – 680
NEXT GPL PAO
Light to Medium Hydrocarbon Compression Lubricant
Base Oil: PAO
ISO Range: 32 – 320
NEXT GPL PAO-FG
Food Grade Hydrocarbon Gas Compression Lubricant
Base Oil: PAO
ISO Range: 32 – 320
NEXT GPL PAG
Light to Medium Hydrocarbon Compression Lubricant
Base Oil: PAG
ISO Range: 32 – 680
NEXT GPL PAG-WS
Medium to Heavy Hydrocarbon Compression Lubricant
Base Oil: PAG-WS
ISO Range: 32 – 460
NEXT GPL PAG-EO
Medium to Heavy / Low-Dilution Hydrocarbon Compression Lubricant
Base Oil: PEG
ISO Range: 32 – 220
Cross reference tool
Find Equivalent Hydrocarbon Gas Compressor Lubricants
Use the NEXT Lubricants cross-reference database to find equivalent alternatives to commonly used hydrocarbon gas compressor lubricants
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Related Applications
Explore Other Gas Compression Applications
Hydrocarbon gas compression is one part of NEXT Lubricants’ gas compression product range. We also supply lubricants for the following applications
CO₂ Compressor Lubricants
Lubricants for carbon dioxide compression in carbon capture, industrial CO₂ supply, EOR injection and process gas applications.
Sour Gas Compressor Lubricants
Lubricants for gas streams containing hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide in gas processing, upstream production and acid gas injection applications.
Biogas Compressor Lubricants
Lubricants for biogas and biomethane compression where H₂S content and variable gas composition create similar demands to sour gas handling.
Petrochemical Gas Compressor Lubricants
Lubricants for process gas compression in petrochemical manufacturing, where gas streams include reactive and specialty components under demanding operating conditions.