Rebecca Roberts recently sat down for an interview with EnergyTomorrow Radio. To hear other shows in the series, visit EnergyTomorrow Radio.
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by Rebecca Roberts
Rebecca Roberts talks with WPC attendees at the Chevron booth. (Chevron Photo)
Here at the WPC, I chaired a panel on gas transportation challenges.
Natural gas has become a preferred energy source because it's cleaner than many other alternatives in the hydrocarbon lineup. We're seeing the growth in the global demand for natural gas increase significantly every year. Around the world, there are many large reserves that are not located near the markets that need natural gas.
Chevron has three ways we move gas to market:
- By transporting it through pipelines
- By chilling the gas and converting it to a liquid to transport as liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- By transforming the gas to a liquid such as diesel, a process known as gas-to-liquids (GTL)
Technology plays a key role in all three processes.
We're also depending on technology to help Chevron install pipelines in more remote locations. In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, for example, we now are drilling in over 10,000 feet of water (3,048 m). We must find ways to deal with the immense pressure of the ultra-deep water when we install the pipelines. And once the pipe leaves the surface of the ocean, we will never look at it again with human eyes. So we must think far ahead as to what issues might arise over the lifetime of that pipeline. We're applying technology such as robotics to install and monitor the pipelines on the sea floor. We also remotely monitor the pressure and flow of the pipeline from a central control center.
Technology helps develop oil and gas reserves that would otherwise not be accessible. Chevron has increased the amount of research and development money spent on the transportation of LNG and the conversion of gas to diesel. These processes contribute to the elimination of gas flaring by allowing Chevron to transport more gas to market.
A significant portion of our research to find solutions for gas transportation and storage is done in partnership with universities and other research organizations. The natural gas market is in transition thanks, in part, to such research. The LNG market has emerged. GTL plants are being constructed. Because of technology, more of the gas reserves are reaching consumers.
While we are working on new technology, we also are trying to address the geo-political challenges to transport oil and gas to those who need it. Many times our pipelines must cross several countries to reach consumers, and this highlights the need to work in partnership with many governments.
But with the demand for natural gas soaring, we all must work together to deliver this cleaner source of energy to those who need it.
Posted July 03, 2008 23:21 | Back to Blog