Natural gas separators are used to extract natural gas from different sources. In-depth knowledge about the gases and their sources will help us understand how to proceed with the right process and natural gas separator equipment. Natural gas is extracted with the help of piping systems, and then processed to pure methane.

Types of Natural Gases

The two main types of gases are:

1. Thermogenic
2. Biogenic

• Thermogenic Gases

When oil found in deep reservoirs is subjected to high temperatures and pressures, methane is produced. This process is known as thermal cracking. The gas is produced at sub-bottom levels. Depending on the source and the surrounding areas, thermogenic gas can be dry or wet. As a dry gas, it will contain a high percentage of methane. As a wet gas, it will contain certain percentages of other wet gases like ethane, and propane, and hydrocarbons, etc.

• Biogenic Gases

Decaying matter trapped under rocks upon decomposition produces methane gas. The methane is slightly contaminated with other gases and foreign materials. These gases contain over 90% methane. These gases are available a few meters from the bed of the sea. This gas is extremely dry due to the high levels of methane and lower levels of contamination.

Gases & Extraction

The different types of natural gas have different properties. Hence, the extraction processes for both will be very different, as will the end result. The process employed to extract, clean (remove impurities and other gases), and distribute the gases will vary according to their source. Even if the gas is of the same type for example thermogenic, depending on the source, it could be contaminated or contain high concentrations of methane. Hence, careful analysis has to be conducted to determine the level of contamination before any large-scale commercial extraction is attempted.

The gas that is extracted can help researchers, and oil and fuel companies determine whether more gas exists in that location. If it does, then they can also determine the depth of that oil well. This information is essential to drive the entire gas extraction operation.