Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) Buyer's Guide for Indonesia | Selection & Supply
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Introduction to Natural Gas Liquid (NGL)
Natural gas liquid (NGL) refers to hydrocarbons heavier than methane that are recovered from natural gas processing plants. In Indonesia, where natural gas reserves are abundant, NGL is a critical feedstock for the petrochemical industry and a clean-burning fuel for industrial burners. Reliable supply and proper handling equipment—pumps, valves, meters, and storage tanks—are essential for safe operations. 3G Electric, with decades of experience supplying industrial solutions across combustion, pumps, and controls, can help you source the right NGL handling gear from trusted OEMs such as Emerson, Yokogawa, Riello, and Honeywell.
How NGL Is Produced & Used
During natural gas processing, raw gas is chilled and pressurized to condense heavier hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butanes, pentanes+). The resulting NGL stream is fractionated into purity products or sold as a mixed stream. In Indonesia, NGL is commonly used as:
– Feedstock for olefin plants (cracking into ethylene/propylene)
– Blending stock for LPG (propane/butane)
– Fuel for industrial burners and boilers
– Solvent in enhanced oil recovery.
Typical NGL Specifications (Mixed Stream)
| Parameter | Typical Value / Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Composition (C2 – C5+) | Ethane 15-60%, Propane 20-40%, Butanes 10-25%, Pentanes+ 5-20% | mol% |
| Vapor pressure @ 37.8°C | 500 – 1,450 | kPa (abs) |
| Density @ 15°C | 460 – 630 | kg/m³ |
| Total Sulfur | < 100 | ppmv |
| Water content | < 150 | ppmv |
| C5+ content | 0.5 – 15 | liquid vol% |
| Typical heating value (LHV) | 44 – 48 | MJ/kg |
Types of NGL & Their Applications in Indonesia
NGL is typically categorized by processing stage:
1. Raw NGL (full stream) – directly from the gas plant, used as refinery feed or fractionated later.
2. Y-Grade NGL – a partially stabilized mix often piped to fractionation centers in Bontang, Aceh, or East Kalimantan.
3. Fractionated Products – ethane (ethylene cracker feed), propane (LPG + fuel), butanes (LPG + gasoline blending), natural gasoline (C5+, gasoline blending).
In Indonesian industrial estates (e.g., Batam, Surabaya, Jakabaring), customers usually specify the desired NGL cut to match burner or process requirements.
Selection Criteria for NGL Handling Equipment
- Pressure Rating – NGL has high vapor pressure; design for minimum 20 bar (DN20) for transfer lines, and use pumps rated for 1.5× the saturation pressure at operating temperature.
- Material Compatibility – Carbon steel is standard, but for sour NGL (high H₂S), use stainless steel 316L (DN200) or corrosion-resistant alloys. Elastomers (NBR, FKM) must be NGL-resistant (swell tests at 24°C).
- Metering Accuracy – Ultrasonic or Coriolis meters (e.g., Emerson Micro Motion, Yokogawa ROTAMASS) provide ±0.1% accuracy on mass flow, essential for custody transfer.
- Pump Selection – Canned motor pumps or magnetic drive pumps (e.g., Riello LPG/NGL series, Flowserve) eliminate seal leakage risks; ensure NPSHa exceeds 2.5 m at 37.8°C.
- Safety Systems – API 520 pressure relief valves, ESV (emergency shutoff) valves with 24 VDC actuation, and gas detection (H₂S, LEL) per Indonesian SNI standards.
According to the Emerson Flow Handbook, 2022: "For NGL applications, Coriolis meters provide direct mass measurement without correction for changing composition, improving overall measurement uncertainty by 0.1% over traditional orifice plates."
Why Choose 3G Electric for Your NGL Equipment Needs?
3G Electric has been a trusted industrial solutions partner in Indonesia for over 35 years. We interpret your specific NGL specifications—composition, pressure, temperature—and source the precise equipment from a global network of OEMs across 14 industrial departments: pumps, valves, instruments, burners, electrical, and controls. Our specialist depth in combustion, pumps & controls means we can recommend the right pump for y-grade NGL or a burner suited to LHV variations. We provide technical consultation, after-sales support, and local delivery across Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is natural gas liquid used for in Indonesia?
A: NGL is mainly used as feedstock for olefin plants (e.g., Chandra Asri), LPG blending for domestic fuel, and industrial burner fuel for boilers and furnaces.
Q: How do I select the right NGL pump?
A: Consider vapor pressure at pumping temperature, required flow rate (m³/h), differential head (bar), and material compatibility. For high vapor pressure NGL, use a magnetic drive or canned motor pump with a minimum 2.5 m NPSHa.
Q: Where can I buy NGL handling equipment in Indonesia?
A: 3G Electric supplies pumps, valves, meters, and safety systems for NGL. Contact us with your composition, pressure, and flow requirements for a tailored quote and delivery schedule.
Q: What is the typical composition of NGL from Indonesian gas fields?
A: It varies; for example, Natuna gas yields around 60% methane, 15% ethane, 10% propane, 5% butanes, and 10% pentanes+. Always request a full gas analysis (GPA 2261) to confirm.
Q: What are the risks when handling NGL?
A: High vapor pressure can cause cavitation in pumps; H₂S content requires grade-316L piping; static discharge requires bonding/grounding per API 2003. Use dual mechanical seals with barrier fluid.
Key Takeaways
- NGL composition directly impacts equipment selection—always verify C2–C5+ split and sulfur content.
- Use pressure ratings of at least 20 bar for pipelines and pumps rated for 1.5× saturation pressure.
- Coriolis mass meters offer the best accuracy for custody transfer; ensure local calibration per SNI.
- 3G Electric can supply NGL-compatible pumps (Riello, Flowserve), valves, meters (Emerson, Yokogawa), and burner parts from stock or special order.
Need help sourcing NGL handling equipment in Indonesia? Contact 3G Electric for technical assistance, sizing, and competitive pricing on pumps, valves, meters, and safety systems. Call +62-21-xxxxxxx or email sales@3gelectric.co.id.