Algerian Natural Gas : Modern technologies and ambitious objectives for the protection of the environment

Abdelkrim Ainouche, Engineer, Gas Department Managert, SONATRACH / RTE, Skikda, Algeria; Brahim Soltani , Professor IAP , Skikda, Algeria. Abstract.
Natural Gas is the least polluting fossil fuel per unit of heat produced, with respect to both greenhouse gas emissions and other combustion products. Any market share won by natural gas from other fossil fuels will therefore promote the cause of environmental protection. This article discusses the environmental issues facing the gas industry. Southern Europe continues to work on its pipeline and gas distribution infrastructure as it prepares for projected explosive demand growth. In its part Algeria is developing its gas resources and seeking new outlets. This paper presents the potential of Algeria export infrastructure capacity and new gas project ( pipes and LNG ). Improved technologies are required to support the sustainable development of natural gas. Although natural gas is unanimously considered as the cleanest of fossil fuels, it is not without drawbacks, since its main component methane ( CH4 ) is also a greenhouse gas. Methane emissions on transmission and distribution systems have fallen to very low levels, thanks to the use of modern technologies. This paper illustrates the efforts made by the gas industry in Algeria to prevent atmospheric emissions. Natural Gas emits reduced amount of CO2, little NOx, and virtually no sulphur dioxide or dust. This article develops these characteristics and advantages over other fossil fuels.

Introduction
The natural gas industry is growing and globalising as demand expands and knew technologies allow creative new ways of customising products and services. An appreciate of just how fast global gas demand is growing is now widespread. The world-wide use of natural gas is expected to grow over the next years largely in response to technological and environmental development. Natural gas is a clean source of energy as compared to other fossil fuels. The production transmission and use of natural gas is particularly advantageous from the environmental view. Natural gas transmission provides to millions of homes, as well as to industries and electricity producers a source of energy with a low environmental impact that contributes to enhance energy efficiency, to reduce atmospheric emissions and to improve the quality of the environment. Natural gas is a clean fuel and it is economical to use. Substitution in favor of gas from other fossil fuels will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas can be used in all energy sectors. It has a wide range of industrial applications, it is also used as a fuel by the power generating sector. In a policy of sustainable development, the health and safety, and the protection, of the environment, are prime and constant objectives for the gas industy in Algeria.

The gas industry and the environment

Two major concerns are shared by humanity as a whole. The first is poverty, the second relates to environmental protection.

The gas industry offers a number of advantages. Natural gas is the least-polluting fossil fuel per unit of heat produced with respect to both greenhouse gas emissions and other combustion products. Natural gas can make a major contribution to improving the quality of the evironment because it can be transmitted in underground pipelines, because of its inherent chemical physical properties and because it can be used in high-efficiency low-emission technologies, not only in fixed installations but also as a vehicle fuel. The criteria, procedures and technologies used by the gas industry in Algeria for the location, design, construction, management of plants and for the conduct of activities comply with high environmental protection and safety standards. In recent years substantial investments have been made in Algeria in order to renew old parts of gas turbines used in compressor stations. These modern technologies have advantages for energy consumption, thank to the progress that has been made in the field of gas turbines, with the steady improvement in overall thermodynamic efficiency.

The potential of Algeria export infrastructure capacity

In 1961, gas production began at Hassi Rmel in central Algeria. Algeria is one of the major gas producing countries of Africa. In addition to its upstream strength, Algeria has a strong downstream sector which includes refining, distribution, marketing, and chemicals.Its current proven reserves are estimated at 4.52 trillions cubic meters (tcm) of natural gas at end 2000. This represents 3.0 percent of the worlds natural gas reserves 4. Algeria is particularly rich in natural gas and has instituted a strategy of investing in facilities that exploit these ressources. Algeria also ranks seventh in the world after Russia, Iran, Quatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the United States in terms of gas reserves. Algeria is also promoting the use of natural gas in the domestic market especially in the industrial sector, where plants can easily be converted from fuel oil to gas 4. Natural gas represents 56 percent of Algerias total proven hydrocarbon reserves . Natural gas represented 5% in 1970, 33% in 1980 of Algerias total hydrocarbon production and reaches today more than 65% 3. The part of the Algerian gas in the gas balances in some European countries is 86% for Portugal, 61% for Spain, 49% for Italy, 26% for Belgium, 25% for France and 21% for Turkey. Today about 97% of Algerian gas exports supply the European market next to Russia, and Norway, one of the main suppliers of the Europe. Algeria accounts for 29 percent of European Union gas imports and 15% of gas consumption 3. Two-thirds of known reserves are contained at Hassi Rmel. Others gas deposit at In Salah, Tin Fouye, Tabenkort, Rhourd Nous, Hamra and Alrar. Four plants 3 in Arzew and 1 in Skikda, liquefy gas for export. The revamping and upgrading of the Arzew and Skikda liquefaction plants was completed in 2000. Revamping and expansion of Arzew and Skikda bring their production to around 30.5 bcm a year. A network of export pipelines link the gas fields to terminals for the export of Algerian natural gas. Algeria became the worlds third biggest natural gas exporter and second world largest exporter of LNG. Algeria has built two major gas pipelines to facilitate exports to europe. The Pedro Duran Farell gasline (GPDF) was completed in november 1996, allowing the transportation of 7.9 bcm per year to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The existing 2,100-km Enrico Mattei gasline (GEM) to Italy via sicily has been expanded, providing throughput capacity of 24 bcm per year to Italy and neighboring markets. Both pipelines run from Hassi Rmel through neighboring countries-the GEM through Tunisia and the GPDF through Morocco-before crossing the Mediterranean seabed 1,2.

New gas projects

Increases in export pipeline capacity are necessary for a projected gas export capacity of 85 bcm a year before the year 2005. There are plans to boast the GPDFs throughput capacity to some 12 bcm a year ( in final phase it will transport 18.5 bcm/y ) and to add further 6 bcm capacity to the GEM line through the construction of new compression stations. Development of the In Salah gas project which is designed to move Algerian gas to existing systems in Morroco and Spain, for delivery to European markets. Total production, expected at around 9 bcm/y will be destined for southern European markets via the main 48-inch export pipeline to Hassi RMel. Algeria continues to study the possibility of a 324-mi, 42-in gas transmission line to deliver gas from Tighentourine to Hassi Rmel. This line would connect to existing systems for delivery to European markets. The project of a sub-sea gas pipeline between Algeria and Spain (direct connection ), from Beni Saf, near Arzew, the transmission pipeline will cross the Mediterranean sea over a distance of nearly 200 km and reach the area of Almeria, on the Spanish coast with a capacity of 8 bcm/y to 10 bcm/y. It is scheduled to be brougth into service by late 2005. The gas pipeline project Algeria-Italy via Sardinia, is to cover a distance of nearly 1470 km with an initial capacity of 8 bcm/y. The gas pipeline will leave Hassi Rmel and join via el Kala, the South, then the North of Sardinia and finally reach Castiglionne Della Pescaia, a region located North of Roma . The project for the creation of a trans-Saharan gas pipeline connecting Nigeria to Algeria. This pipe of 4000 km in length will convey, via the Sahara, Nigerian gas from the Abuja fields to Beni Saf, near Arzew. It will supply the whole West African region with Natural gas, and coupled with the grid existing in Algeria, it will supply Southern Europe 1,2.

Natural gas: an energy source for the 21st century

Between 1995 and 2020, global energy consumption is set to soar by 75% from 18.2 to 31.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent per day. Over the same period, the share of fossil fuels should increase from 85.4% to 89%. Much hope has been placed in renawable energies as a long-term solution for environmental protection. But they will not be in position to play a key role in the next 30 years. Gas will enjoy the strongest development of all the fossil fuels. With annual growth of 3.3%, it is expected to account for 27% of the world energy balance in 2020 against 21% in 1995. It could even become the worlds main source of energy in 2050. Abundant reserves of natural gas constantly boosted by fresh discoveries and major reduction in the cost of the gas chain allow the spectacular development of natural gas, which is chosen for its environmental advantage. Demand will continue to grow untill such a time as renewable sources of energy gradually take over. In addition to its intrinsic qualities as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, natural gas has made considerable progress in high-efficiency combustion techniques. Growth in the share of gas now comes primarily from power generation, as a result of combined cycle and cogeneration technology. Looking beyond power generation, technological progress is openning new oportunities for gas in areas such as air conditioning, urban vehicles and domestic appliances 5.

The six Greenhouse gases targeted by Kyoto

The Kyoto comference recognised the role of human activities in climate change. Developed countries agreed to cut emissions of six greenhouse gases-carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide, and three chlorofluorocarbone substitutes- by 5.2% with respect to 1990 emissions. They agreed to reach this objective by 2008-2012.

The risk of global warming as a result of human activities is now taken into account. Experts forecasts vary but the current rate of increase in CO2 emissions, which are responsible for 55% of the greenhouse effect, indicates that the earths average temperature could rise by around 2C by the year 2050. This would cause climatic upheaval, with sea level rising by some 50 cm. Natural gas has played and will continue to play an important role in cutting the CO2 emissions as a replacement for fuel with a high carbon content, such as coal. However, the benefits resulting from the increased use of natural gas must not be cancelled out by a rise in methane emissions by gas networks. It must also be remembered that while gas is one of the least polluting fossil fuel, it still produces CO2. We must ensure that greater use of natural gas does not slow the development of renewable energies, which will be key if we are to meet our commitments. Although renawable energy sources (sun, wind, biomass, hydroelectricity, etc.) are sur to play a greater role in the future, techniques are still being developed, and it will be necessary to make extensive use of fossil ressources for some time to come in order to meet growing energy requirements. Natural gas emits reduced amounts of CO2, little Nox and virtually no sulphur dioxide or dust. These characteristics give it a clear advantage over other fossil fuels. Carbone dioxide ( CO2 )

Althougy carbon dioxide plays a decisive role in the greenhouse effects, it is not strictly speaking, a pollutant. It is not harmful to health and it helps plants grow by photosynthesis. CO2 is a product of the combustion process and emissions depend directly on the carbon content of the fuel. Since the methane molecule has a low carbon content, natural gas emits around 30% less than coal, for an equivalent amount of energy generated. Methane ( CH4 )

The main component of natural gas ( often making up more than 90% of the content ), methane plays an important role in the greenhouse effect. But most CH4 emissions in the atmosphere are produced by agriculture ( 73% from farming) or natural sources ( marshes, peat bogs). Only 6% of these emissions can be attributed to industry. Atmospheric CH4 produced by natural gas is thought to contribute just 1% to the additional greenhouse effect. All gas consuming countries are nevertheless making considerable efforts to reduce CH4 losses from their networks. The amount lost is generaly lower than 1%. Nitrous oxides ( NOx )

The generic term of NOx covers products generated by combustion ( NO and NO2, nitrogen monoxide and dioxide ). Together with sulphur dioxide , nitrous oxides are one of the main causes of acid rain. Industry produces some 13% of NOx emissions worldwide, the primary source being engine-driven vehicles. The Kyoto protocol also targets another product: nitrogen monoxide ( N2O ). This long life gas is harmful for the ozone layer when it oxides into NO. Natural gas releases virtually no N2O but produces other NOx in small quantities. Natural gas produces significantly less Nox than other fossil fuel when it burns Hydrofluorocarbons ( HFC ) ; Perfluorocarbons ( PFC ) ; Sulphure hexafluoride ( SFG )

These long-life industrial gases, harmful for the ozone layer, are produced primarily by aerosols sprays, cooling fluids, etc. The use of natural gas produces little or no gas of this type.

Other atmospheric pollutants

In addition to the six gases or categories of gas targeted by the Kyoto agreement, other products play an important role in atmospheric pollution. Sulphur dioxide ( SO2 )

This is one of the main causes of acid rain. Natural gas contains virtually no sulphur. 150 times less than common domestic heating oil and 3,000 times less than heavy fuel-oil. The rare traces present come primarily from deliberate injections of odorants. Volatile organic compounds (VOC )

Some hydrocarbon and solvent vapor may represent a significant danger to health. Reacting with NOx, they can form highly harmful ozone. Natural gas is concerned only in a slight extent. Tropospheric ozone (O3)

Formed by NOx reacting with VOCs, this powerful photo-oxidant is highly harmful to the respiratory tract and is one of the main factors of urban pollution. Dust and particles

Produced primarily by burning fuel-oil (diesel engines ) and coal, dust and particles are harmful to health. In some cases they may carry heavy metals such as lead, which are also extremely harmful. They also cause major damage to buildings and monuments. Natural gas releases no dust or particles 5.

The natural gas transmission and the protection of the environment

All the plants and pipelines in operation are subjected to regular checks and maintenance to ensure high safety standards. The integrity of pipelines is also checked by running devices known as intelligent pig through them, enabling possible faults to be detected. A variety of pigs are now available and among other things, they are able to detect: Corrosion Mechanical damage ( such as cracks and scratches ) Pipe design and pipeline construction defects Presence of metal objects near the pipe. The transmission system is inspected regularly with motor vehicles, helicopters and on foot, so as to detect potentialy dangerous situation. The main source of discharged methane is leakage from transmission and distribution systems, a problem that depends primarily on the age of the pipes. In Algeria, The transmission system is recent and leakproof. We must also mention the other system installations: pressure regulators, compression stations and LNG terminals. Natural gas is used as a working fluid to drive certain items of equipments ( valve motors, gas turbine starters, etc. ), or as a fluid in the pneumatic circuits controlling certain units ( regulators, etc.). These applications generate low volumes or residual discharges. Other discharges may also occur when sections of the structure are isolated to make the installations safe or to enable specific operations, such as the connections of new equipment. These operations are generally infrequent and always limited to the strict minimum. Overral, natural gas discharges (for the year 1995) from all the installations of the Algerian gas industry system are equivalent to just 1% of the world-wide emissions and 0.5% of the national gas production (world-wide average 1.3%). Another environmentaly sensitive point: nitrogen oxide emissions from the motors and turbines equiping the compression stations of the transmission system. Although the quantities of NOx emitted annually by

all the machines are very low, Algeria is continuing efforts to reduce emissions still further. In this way all the new machines installed on the system are equiped with combustion chambers, based on the best technology available for industry, and this has been the case for some years. To limit energy consumption, high-efficiency gas turbines are installed and software programs are used to optimize gas transmission. Stringent specifications are laid down for discharge levels and, in this field, legislation tends to change fast. Environmental protection is also taken into account in other areas, notably the limitation of noise and the integration of technical structures in the landscape. The latest area of progress concerns pipe servicing operations, which are now discharge-free, thanks to the Stopple technique.

The liquefaction installations and the environment

An upgrading of the liquefaction installations has been carried out and was completed in 2000. A net reduction of greenhouse gases effects through the installations: Optimization of gas consumption Reduction of natural gas leaks Reduction of NOx and CO emissions.

Conclusion
Natural gas transmission provides a source of energy with low environmental impact that satisfies a significant and continuously increasing share of energy needs in Algeria and in the world. In a policy of sustainable development in gas production, natural gas transmission activities and LNG, Algeria uses criteria, procedures and technologies with high environmental protection and safety standards and mantains a constant commitment for their continuous improvement. It uses advanced technologies to limit disturbance to the land when laying pipelines, and to reduce energy consumption and atmospheric emissions. Every body accepts that we have to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and it is encouraging to see more and more industrial firms rallying to the cause. Development of a number of important gas technologies that would lead to important greenhouse gases reduction: Substitution of natural gas for coal in power generation. Substitution of gas for oil in industrial process applications. Rapid development and implementation of high efficiency natural gas vehicles, including hybrid gas / electic vehicles. Development of hybrid natural gas and renewable applications ( solar / gas, biomass ) to improve the economics and market penetration of renewables. Promising areas include, improvments in efficiency notably for gas turbines through the use of ceramic materials.

References
1. Sonatrach / Marketing Activity, Communication and Documentary Information, Sonatrach Gas Marketing , Alger (Dec. 2001). 2. Sonatrach, Annual Report 2000, Algiers 2000. 3. A.Hached, Gas Market Dergulation of the European Union : The Point of View of an Exporter , Sixth Summit of the Gas Industry Leaders, Paris, France ( 18-19 Oct. 2001). 4. BP, Statistical Review Of World Energy , (June 2001). 5. Gaz de France et Ecole Superieure des Mines de Paris, Gaz du Monde, 30, (March, 1999). 6. A.Riva, S.Donato, Natural Gas Transmission for Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection, Sitgas Atig, Naples, Italy (Nov. 2001).