Evaluation of the modes of transporting GTL products through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS)

Abstract

Gas-to-liquids (GTL) conversion technology, where natural gas is chemically converted to transportable hydrocarbon liquid products, is an emerging technology that will undoubtedly reach commercialization within the next decade. Two GTL transportation modes, that could be used to exploit vast Alaska Natural Gas resources in the form of stable liquid through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), are evaluated either as single slugs (batches) or commingled (mixed) with Crude Oil. In this study, thee pertinent energy equations are solved for both batch and commingled flow modes. The solutions of these equations are analytically presented for determining among other parameters, the pressure gradient and pertinent slug length required for batching. The application of the determined hydraulic parameters will aid in the analysis and economic evaluation of the GTL transportation modes through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS).