Analysis, Test Methods and Product Specifications (Analysis Committee)

GPA Midstream’s Analysis, Test Methods and Specifications group has two main charges: 1) developing/maintaining analytical procedures and test methods that are needed by the midstream industry. Current emphases include a continuing advancement of the extended analysis methods for both gas and liquids. 2) Developing/maintaining product quality specifications for LP-Gas and natural gasoline, as well as monitoring and commenting on specifications for natural gas and CNG. Current emphasis is the identification, test methods and possible control of natural gas liquids contaminants. View the Analysis, Test Methods and Product Specifications Committee Charter

Committee Leadership

Chair: Seth Nease, SPL
‍‍Vice Chair: Eric Estrada, Targa Resources
Young Professionals Liaison: Curtiss Kovash, SPL
‍GPA Midstream Staff Liaison: Martin Erne

Typical Committee Member

A typical committee member includes those with applicable job responsibilities and/or expertise (i.e. lab personnel). This committee accepts volunteers with appropriate experience, and members may also be recommended or assigned by a GPA Midstream member company.

Benefits of Committee Membership

Members have the opportunity to participate in the development, refinement and implementation of the midstream industry’s sampling procedures, specification test methods and analytical methods.

Members can also benefit from insight into midstream, refining and petrochemical industry trends and regulations and also from the opportunity to develop specifications for the midstream industry.

Networking opportunities are abundant with committee involvement, and committee members are able to share information and their own experiences related to sampling and testing procedures. This group also receives extensive exposure to industry standards and methods.

Products & Services

The committee manages, directs and conducts GPA Midstream’s annual School of Gas Chromatography, which teaches basic gas and gas liquid chromatography with an introduction to extended analysis and portable chromatographs. This is a hands-on school directed toward chromatograph operators, measurement technicians and engineers involved with chromatography. Learn more about the GPA Midstream School of Gas Chromatography.

This committee has developed all U.S. specifications and many international specifications for LP-Gas. This group has recently revised the following standards:

• GPA 2100 - Qualitative Determination of Carbonyl Sulfide in Propane Using Length of Stain Tubes

• GPA 2103 - Tentative Method for the Analysis of Natural Gas Condensate Mixtures Containing Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide by Gas Chromatography

• GPA 2108 - Fractionation Grade Product Specifications

• GPA 2140 - Liquefied Petroleum Gas Specifications and Test Methods

• GPA 2166 - Obtaining Natural Gas Samples for Analysis by Gas Chromatography

• GPA 2174 - Obtaining Liquid Hydrocarbon Samples for Analysis by Gas Chromatography

• GPA 2177 - Analysis of Natural Gas Liquid Mixtures Containing Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide by Gas Chromatography

• GPA 2186 - Method for the Extended Analysis of Hydrocarbon Liquid Mixtures Containing Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide by Temperature Programmed Gas Chromatography

• GPA 2188 - Method for Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Using Length of Stain Tubes

• GPA 2194 - Low Pressure Field Method for the Determination of Ethyl-Mercaptan Odorant in LP Gas Using Length of Stain Tubes

• GPA 2198 - Selection, Preparation, Validation, Care and Storage of Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids Reference Standard Blends

• GPA 2199 - The Determination of Specific Sulfur Compounds by Capillary Gas Chromatography and Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detection (Sulfur Speciation)

• GPA 2261 - Analysis for Natural Gas & Similar Gaseous Mixtures by Gas Chromatography

• GPA 2286 - Method for the Extended Analysis of Natural Gas & Similar Gaseous Mixtures by Temperature Program Gas Chromatography

• GPA 2377 - Test for Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide in Natural Gas Using Length of Stain Tubes

Analysis Committee Workgroups

Compositional Analysis by Optical Spectroscopy
Flash Liberation
GPA 2103 Revision
GPA 2174 & 2177 Update
GPA 2199 Update
Liquid Sample Introduction
Product Specifications
Round Robin Accountability
Spreadsheet Maintenance
Study of Methanol Standards for Midstream

Interaction with other GPA Midstream Committees/Outside Organizations

Aside from working with GPA Midstream’s other technical committees, committee members also work with the American Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute and the American Society for Testing and Materials.