NGL 2300 & Fractionation Unit Project – Marun-Khami and AmirKabir Petrochemical Complex
The NGL 2300 & Fractionation Unit Project is a major development designed to optimize ethane recovery and enhance the processing of rich natural gas streams from the Marun-Khami region in Iran. The new NGL-2300 extraction plant, together with advanced C2+ fractionation facilities at the AmirKabir Petrochemical Complex, forms a key part of Iran’s national plan to maximize the value derived from natural gas and associated liquids.
The primary objective of the project is to extract and process up to 265 MMSCFD (million standard cubic feet per day) of rich gas from the Marun-Khami field, utilizing modern gas treatment and fractionation technologies. The processed gas yields high-purity ethane and C3+ components (such as propane, butane, and heavier hydrocarbons), which are subsequently delivered to downstream units within the AmirKabir Petrochemical Complex for further conversion and value addition.
Project Components and Process Flow
The NGL 2300 & Fractionation Unit is made up of several specialized process units, each performing a critical function in the safe and efficient recovery of natural gas liquids:
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1. Inlet Compression (Unit-100): This unit compresses the incoming rich gas stream to the required pressure for downstream processing, ensuring stable operation and optimal extraction efficiency.
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2. Gas Sweetening (Unit-200): Designed to remove acidic components such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the gas stream, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.
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3. Inlet Gas Dehydration (Unit-300): Removes water vapor from the gas stream to prevent hydrate formation and corrosion within process equipment. This unit also handles heavy metal removal, protecting sensitive process catalysts.
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4. NGL Extraction (Unit-400): Responsible for the extraction of valuable natural gas liquids (NGLs) from the treated gas, maximizing hydrocarbon recovery.
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5. C2+ Mercaptan Removal (Unit-500): Advanced treatment for removing mercaptans and other sulfur compounds from the C2+ product stream, improving product quality and minimizing environmental impact.
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6. C2+ Offspec Storage & Transfer Pumps (Unit-600): Storage and handling of off-specification C2+ products, equipped with pumps for safe transfer and inventory control.
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7. Acid Gas Disposal & Regeneration Gas Compression (Unit-650): Manages the environmentally responsible disposal of acid gases and compresses regeneration gas for re-use in gas sweetening processes.
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8. Residue Gas Compression (Unit-700): Compresses the residue (lean) gas for onward use, distribution, or safe disposal.
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9. Propane Refrigeration (Unit-750): Provides low-temperature refrigeration to support NGL recovery and fractionation, using propane as the refrigerant.
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10. Utility / Offsite (Units-800~920): Comprehensive support systems including water treatment, electrical supply, fire protection, and other essential utilities for the plant.
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11. C2+ Fractionation (Unit-950): The final stage, where the C2+ stream is separated into its individual components (ethane, propane, butane, and heavier fractions) for downstream processing and sale.
The integration of these units ensures a high level of operational efficiency, product purity, and safety, aligning with global best practices for NGL and petrochemical plant design.
Project Collaboration and Engineering
The successful delivery of this complex project is enabled by a joint venture with Sazeh Consultant, who provides specialized engineering, design, and project management expertise. The partnership ensures that all process units and infrastructure are executed to the highest technical and safety standards, supporting the strategic objectives of the Iranian petrochemical industry.
