Natural Gas Liquids

Natural Gas Liquids

Natural gas liquids (NGLs) are composed of hydrocarbons, including ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, pentane, and higher alkanes. Although ethane cannot be readily liquefied by pressure at ambient temperature such as propane and butane (LPG) it is considered a component of NGL. There are many uses for NGLs, as summarized in Table 12.1 [3]. NGLs are extracted from the natural gas production stream in field processing plants, using techniques discussed related to petroleum refining operations.

NGL field production is growing in the United States, representing an important part of the supply picture.

Table 12.1: NGL Attribute Summary (EIA)
Natural Gas Liquid	Chemical Formula	Applications	End Use Products	Primary Sectors
Ethane	C₂H₆	Ethylene for plastics production; petrochemical feedstock	Plastic bags; plastics; anti-freeze; detergent	Industrial
Propane	C3H8	Residential and commercial heating; cooking fuel; petrochemical feedstock	Home heating; small stoves and barbeques; LPG	Industrial, Residential, Commercial

Table 12.2: NGL Attribute Summary (EIA)
Natural Gas Liquid	Chemical Formula	Applications	End Use Products	Primary Sectors
Ethane	C₂H₆	Ethylene for plastics production; petrochemical feedstock	Plastic bags; plastics; anti-freeze; detergent	Industrial
Propane	C₃H₈	Residential and commercial heating; cooking fuel; petrochemical feedstock	Home heating; small stoves and barbeques; LPG	Industrial, Residential, Commercial
Butane	C₄H₁₀	Petrochemical feedstock; blending with propane or gasoline	Synthetic rubber for tires; LPG; lighter fuel	Industrial, Transportation
Isobutane	C₄H₁₀	Refiner feedstock; petrochemical feedstock	Alkylate for gasoline; aerosols; refrigerant	Industrial
Pentane	C₅H₁₂	Natural gasoline; blowing agent for polystyrene foam	Gasoline; polystyrene; solvent	Transportation
Pentanes Plus*	Mix of C₅H₁₂ and heavier	Blending with vehicle fuel; exported for bitumen production in oil sands	Gasoline; ethanol blends; oil sands production	Transportation