DEVELOPMENT AND MODELING OF A RESOURCE-SAVING PROCESS FOR METHANOL EXTRACTION BY THE EXAMPLE OF X OILFIELD

Satenov K.G. Suleimen Y.M. Mamytbekova G.K. Kalauova A.S.
2025 National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan

News of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Series of Geology and Technical Sciences
2025 #2025 Issue 4 279 - 294 pp.

In the oil and gas industry, methanol is widely used as a hydrate inhibitor to prevent gas hydrate formation during production, treatment, and transportation processes. However, the continuous purchase and delivery of methanol contribute to high operational costs. This study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of methanol recovery at the gas treatment unit (GTU) of the “X” field in Western Kazakhstan. A comparative analysis of different methanol regeneration technologies—rectification, high-gravity separation (HiGee), and membrane separation—was conducted. The rectification method was identified as the most viable, providing high methanol purity (≥95% wt.), reliability, and automation. Process modeling of the new methanol recovery unit (MRU) was performed using Aspen HYSYS 14.0, applying the Peng-Robinson-Stryjek-Vera (PRSV) equation of state to accurately simulate phase behavior. Two operational scenarios were considered: B₁ (50 m³/day MWS with 1.50% methanol) and B₂ (8 m³/day MWS with 1.31% methanol). The required process equipment, including heat exchangers, evaporators, and stripping columns, was determined. The Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA) was used for capital cost estimation. Results indicate that methanol regeneration is technically feasible but economically unviable due to low methanol concentrations in the MWS. The estimated annual recovery volume is 570 t/year (B₁) and 356 t/year (B₂), while the majority of methanol is lost with gas and condensate. Economic analysis suggests profitability only with significant methanol content in MWS or higher methanol market prices. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing methanol recovery processes and cost efficiency in oil and gas operations.

ASPEN/HYSYS , Complex gas treatment unit (CGTU) , hydrate inhibition , methanol recovery unit (MRU) , Methanol regeneration , rectification

Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи

LLP KMG Engineering, Astana, Kazakhstan
K. Kulazhanov Kazakh University of Technology and Business, Astana, Kazakhstan
Sh.Ualikhanov Kokshetau University, Laboratory of NMR Spectroscopy, Kazakhstan
LLP Institute of Applied Chemistry, Astana, Kazakhstan
Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, Atyrau, Kazakhstan

LLP KMG Engineering
K. Kulazhanov Kazakh University of Technology and Business
Sh.Ualikhanov Kokshetau University
LLP Institute of Applied Chemistry
Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026