American Oil and Gas Reporter - March 2020 - 52

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SpecialReport: Field Power Generation
relationships to and expectations of produced associated gas
that previously had been flared. By leveraging a well-designed
power system initially sourced to keep operating schedules on
track, these companies now are able to deploy less valuable
gas from what were once waste streams to power sites'
production operations.
As an added benefit, they now can sell the more desirable
gases from this wellhead byproduct for newfound income.
Working with partners to mitigate emissions from power systems
fueled by this repurposed natural gas, operators can be responsible
producers helping cleaner, pipeline-quality gas make its way to
homes, schools and businesses for heating and other purposes,
while supporting their own revenue goals.
Critically, gas-to-power systems also offer an oil and gas
company the means to control its power supplies. During the
past couple years, as engineering has advanced to add gas
stripping and conditioning to generate revenue-producing gas,
some companies have elected to forego utility service altogether.
Maintaining on-site power configurations allows them to both
control their power supplies and enjoy the unexpected financial,
operational and environmental benefits associated with that.
This breakthrough operating strategy stands in stark contrast to
electing to shut in or flare valuable gas production.
As a gift to the environment and a bonus to the producer,

burning the fuel gas for site power creates fewer emissions than
flared rich gas that includes methane, propane and butane components. Plus, electric engineers who design complex "microgrids"
unique to many industry applications know how to treat the
generators with add-on equipment beyond the manufacturer's
specifications to reduce emissions still more.
This additional expertise produces the added benefit of helping
the operator achieve and exceed regulatory standards, including
federal and area regulations such as those in a sensitive attainment
area or to meet federal Bureau of Land Management limits. In one
yearlong project powering a cryogenic processing plant, emissions
controls met and exceeded state government mandates.
And for additional time savings and improved compliance
reporting, remote monitoring data quickly provides information
for state-required reports, whether the cryogenic plant operates
in Pennsylvania or the Gulf Coast region.
Operational Adaptability
By their nature, flexible and modular on-site microgrids
can adapt quickly to changing power needs. An experienced
power configuration team that is accustomed to providing
natural disaster power recovery to vast communities within
hours and days-backed by a robust, diverse and geographically
well-positioned fleet-can address a drilling or production site's
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American Oil and Gas Reporter - March 2020

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