Economic evaluation of gas to liquids (GTL), crude oil commingled product transportation through the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS)

Abstract

The Alaska North Slope is a potential candidate for the Gas to Liquid (GTL) technology. With over 38 TCF of natural gas reserves stranded on the Alaska North Slope, the GTL technology is considered as a possible method of harnessing the abundant resources. GTL fuels are environmentally friendly (sulfur free) with better ignition and burning properties than conventional petroleum products from crude oil. Economic evaluation using Rate of Return analysis and the Net Present Value (NPV) to identify the most favorable commingled mode for the transportation of the GTL products was performed. The Crystal Ball software was also used to run sensitivity analysis by using the probabilistic approach to give a clear view of the various scenarios on the project economics. Evaluating the options of transporting GTL products as a blend (Commingled) with the Alaska North Slope Crude Oil through the existing Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is the main focus of this study.