Natural gas liquids market

Increase in demand for petrochemical plants, refineries, and residential and industrial sectors are the major factors fuelling the growth of the natural gas and liquid market. Propane is primarily used in petrochemical plants as a feedstock to produce ethylene and propylene, which is further used in making plastics. In addition, normal butane when mixed with propane produces ethylene and butadiene, which finds application in the production of synthetic rubber. Owing to rise in environmental concerns, the demand for isobutane has increased with extensive application in refineries to improve the quality of motor gasoline. Furthermore, the demand for isobutanes is expected to rise with applications in refrigerants and in common cooking lighters whereas pentanes are common ingredients in pesticides.

According to Eswara Prasad, Team Lead, Chemicals & Materials at Allied Market Research,"Economical gas to liquid technological innovations such as nanowire and Havelide systems provide innovative solutions to capture natural gases which gets wasted through flaring."

NGL products are being transported through regular transport means such via tankers and ships but there is a need to develop a proper transportation channel for these products whereas, development of proper infrastructure can pave the way for potential market opportunities.

Key findings

• In 2015, Propane occupied more than one-fifth of the total share by volume.
• The natural gas liquid market for ethane is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.18% during the forecast period.
• The European natural gas liquid market for propane is likely to achieve a CAGR of 6.60% from 2016 - 2022.
• In 2015, North America dominated the market with more than two-fifths of the total share by geography.
• The US market for natural gas liquids is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.16% during the forecast period.
• Asia-Pacific occupied approximately one-fifth of the total share by volume in 2015. The rise in energy demand has escalated the growth of natural liquids market especially in emerging economies like India and China. In addition, Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market for natural gas liquids, which is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.82% during the projection tenure.

Eminent market players in this sector include Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Chesapeake Energy Corporation, ConocoPhillips Company, SM Energy, Exxon Mobil Corporation, BP Plc, Range Resources Corporation, Statoil ASA, Swift Energy Company, and Linn Energy LLC.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/24012017/natural-gas-liquids-market/