Midstream

Industry Definitions

Definitions of words and terms used in the gas processing industry.
For questions regarding incorrect/outdated entries or suggestion for adding additional terms, please contact Martin Erne

Term
Definition
injection well

A well through which the injection gas or other fluid flows into the underground formation.

inlet gas

Gas entering a processing plant, facility, or individual piece of equipment.

iron sponge process

A method for removing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from natural gas by passing the gas over a bed of wood shavings which have been injected with a form of iron oxide.

isobutane

A hydrocarbon of the paraffin series with the formula C4H10 having its carbon atoms branched (2-methylpropane).

jacket water

Water which fills, or is circulated through, a casing which partially or wholly surrounds a vessel or machine element in order to remove, add, or distribute heat and, thereby, to control the temperature within the vessel or element.

jumbo tank cars

Rail tank cars having capacities of 30,000 gallons (114m3) or more.

knockout

A vessel used to separate free liquids from flowing streams.

lead acetate test

A method for detecting the presence of hydrogen sulfide in a fluid by discoloration of paper which has been moistened with lead acetate solution.

lean amine

Amine solution that has been stripped of absorbed acid gases giving a solution suitable for recirculation to the contactor.

lean gas

Gas containing little or no recoverable natural gas liquids.

lean oil

Oil from which the absorbed constituents have been removed.

light ends

Low boiling point components of a hydrocarbon fluid.

light hydrocarbons

Low molecular weight hydrocarbons.

liquefaction

The process whereby a substance in its gaseous or solid state is liquefied.

liquefiable hydrocarbons

The components of a hydrocarbon gas which are typically recovered as liquid products.

liquefiable hydrocarbons
The components of inlet gas which may be recovered as liquid products.
liquid desiccant

A liquid used to remove water from other fluids.

loading rack

A structural and piping installation alongside a railroad track or roadway used for the purpose of filling and/or emptying railcars or trucks.

looping

Adding piping with a connection to an existing line at each end.

make-up gas

(1) In contractual terms, the amount of gas delivery specified for which a buyer has paid for but not taken. (2) In gas processing, the amount of gas required to keep the inlet volume or energy whole at the outlet. This is typically defined by contract or regulation. (3) In gas analysis, the additional carrier gas added upstream of the detector to achieve optimal flow

marketable gas

Gas, which meets the purchaser's specifications.

mercaptan

Any of a series of compounds of the general formula RSH, analogous to the alcohols and phenols, but containing sulfur in place of oxygen. "R" in the formula above represents the hydrocarbon radical. I.e., methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, etc.

methane

The lightest member of the aliphatic hydrocarbon series, with a chemical formula of CH4.

methanol (methyl alcohol)

The lightest alcohol, having the chemical formula CH3OH.

mist extractor

Vessel internals which remove free liquid from gas.