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Draft:MEG Reclamation

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Monoethylene glycol reclamation (MEG reclamation) is an industrial process used to remove dissolved salts, corrosion products, hydrocarbons and degradation by-products from monoethylene glycol (MEG), allowing the glycol to be reused in hydrocarbon production systems. MEG is commonly used as a thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor in subsea pipeline systems, where it is injected into production fluids to prevent the formation of hydrates that could obstruct flowlines.[1]

MEG reclamation is principally employed in offshore natural gas developments, long-distance subsea tie-backs, floating production storage and offloading facilities (FPSOs), and onshore gas-processing plants. The process is often integrated with MEG regeneration systems that remove water from the recovered glycol stream.[2] [3]

Background

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Early Deepwater Projects relied primarily on methanol for hydrate inhibition. This was simple as it was injected and not recovered. Methanol solubility in gas and liquid hydrocarbon product streams is substantially higher than MEG solubility.[4]

As subsea tie-back became longer and longer, in the 1990s, MEG began to use MEG as a hydrate inhibitor. Unlike methanol, MEG can be recovered, purified and re-used, reducing chemical consumption and operating costs. The first documented MEG Reclamation units were at Shell Todd in New Zealand[5][6] and Shell's Mensa field in the Gulf of Mexico.[7]

As production fluids travel through pipelines, the recovered MEG becomes contaminated with dissolved salts, corrosion products, hydrocarbons, production chemicals and degradation compounds. Without reclamation, these contaminants can accumulate and adversely affect process equipment and flow assurance performance.

Regeneration and reclamation

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Although the terms are sometimes used together, regeneration and reclamation describe different stages of MEG recovery.

Regeneration

Lean MEG, which is typically a concentrated solution of 80-90 wt% MEG in water, is injected into the wellhead... The MEG Regeneration process is comprised of two sections: Pre-treatment where hydrocarbon vapour and liquids are separated from the Rich MEG in a low pressure three phase separator. Regeneration where MEG is regenerated by boiling off water in an atmospheric distillation column. [8] These regeneration are similar to those for Gas Glycol Dehydration.

Reclamation

MEG reclamation is the process of removing dissolved salts (both monovalent and divalent), scale-forming species, corrosion products, and other contaminants from recycled monoethylene glycol. Unlike regeneration, which primarily removes water, reclamation prevents contaminant accumulation that can lead to scaling, fouling, corrosion, and reduced process performance.[9]

Process configurations

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MEG reclamation systems are generally configured using either a full-stream or a slip-stream reclamation process.

Full-stream reclamation Full-stream reclamation is where the entire regenerated MEG recycle stream is treated to remove dissolved salts, suspended solids, corrosion products, and other contaminants. Unlike MEG regeneration, which removes water to restore glycol concentration, full-stream reclamation removes non-volatile contaminants that accumulate during operation and can lead to scaling, fouling, and corrosion..[10]

Slip-stream reclamation In a slip-stream configuration, only a portion of the circulating MEG is treated for salt removal while the remainder undergoes conventional regeneration. The selection of reclamation philosophy depends primarily on anticipated formation-water production rates, salt loading, chemical management requirements and overall system economics.[11]

Process Technology

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MEG reclamation systems generally employ combinations of:

  • Vacuum distillation - Modern MEG reclamation systems commonly employ vacuum distillation to recover monoethylene glycol while avoiding thermal degradation. Operating under reduced pressure lowers the boiling temperature of the MEG-water mixture, allowing salts and other non-volatile contaminants to remain in the reclaimer while purified MEG is recovered and recycled.[12] The vacuum is normally provided by a Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump.
  • Salt precipitation - The calcium (along with the other divalent cations present in the formation water) is removed in a separate step by raising the pH of the aqueous MEG and precipitating the divalent cations as insoluble carbonates or (in the case of magnesium) hydroxides. The formation water contains dissolved divalent ions including:

Calcium (Ca²⁺) Magnesium (Mg²⁺) Iron (Fe²⁺) Barium (Ba²⁺) Strontium (Sr²⁺)

and that these species can lead to scaling and fouling if not removed from the MEG loop.[13]

  • Filtration - Filtration is commonly employed within monoethylene glycol (MEG) reclamation systems to remove suspended solids, precipitated salts, corrosion products, pipeline debris, and oxidation by-products that accumulate in the MEG circulation loop.[14]
  • Solids handling and disposal systems - The specific process arrangement varies according to contaminant loading, required glycol purity and the characteristics of the produced water.

Materials of Construction / Control of Oxygen

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Research into MEG reclamation systems has shown that control of dissolved oxygen is a critical aspect of process design. Oxygen ingress, particularly in high-temperature, salt-containing MEG environments, can promote localized corrosion of process equipment, including Duplex stainless steel. Studies have found that corrosion is most likely to occur where salts are deposited, while minimizing oxygen ingress through system integrity measures, gas blanketing, and oxygen control practices can significantly reduce corrosion risk.[16]

Technology Providers

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A number of companies supply MEG regeneration and reclamation technologies for offshore and onshore hydrocarbon production facilities.

  • SLB markets the PureMEG regeneration and reclamation system.[17]
  • NOV Inc. supplies slip-stream and full-stream MEG recovery systems.[18]
  • Axens markets the AdvaMEG process for MEG regeneration and reclamation.[19]
  • Veolia supplies glycol regeneration systems for oil and gas applications.[20]

Notable installations

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MEG processing and reclamation technologies have been implemented in a number of major onshore and offshore gas developments worldwide. Below is a list of units by Continent :

EUROPE

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- Norway - Ormen Lange, Åsgard B,[21] Gjøa Field[22]

- UK - Britannia Satellites

- Laggan Tormore (Shetland Islands) [23]

North and South America

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- United States Gulf of Mexico - Shell Mensa WD-143 Offshore Project,[24] Independence Hub [25]

- Brazil - Mexilhão Platform (Petrobras - Santos Basin),[26] FPSO Cidade de Santos (Santos Basin)[27]

AFRICA and MIDDLE EAST

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- Mozambique - Coral Sul FLNG / Coral North FLNG (Mozambique)[28]

- Saudi Arabia - Wasit Onshore Gas Plant[29]

- Egypt - West Nile Delta [30]

ASIA

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- Azerbaijan - Shah Deniz

- India - KG-D6

- China - Liwan Gas Field[31]

OCEANIA

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- Australia - Prelude FLNG has a large MEG Reclamation Unit as referenced here.

Pluto-LNG

FPSO Ichthys Venturer [32]

- Otway Gas Plant (OGP) - Beach Energy [33]

New Zealand - Kupe

The use of MEG reclamation technology is particularly common in deep-water gas developments requiring long subsea tie-backs.

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Hammerschmidt, E. G. (1934). "Formation of Gas Hydrates in Natural Gas Transmission Lines". Industrial & Engineering Chemistry. 26 (8): 851–855. doi:10.1021/ie50296a010.
  2. ↑ Crawley-Boevey, Simon; Jariwala, Ankur. "Offshore MEG Regeneration and Reclamation Units: Lessons Learned from Their Design and Operation". GPA Europe Conference Proceedings.
  3. ↑ "Power FPSO New MEG System Concept Select & PreFEED". io consulting.
  4. ↑ Sloan, E. Dendy (January 1998). Offshore Hydrate Engineering Handbook. Golden, Colorado: Center for Hydrate Research, Colorado School of Mines.
  5. ↑ Hayhoe, P. (June 1993). "Glycol Purification – A Novel Approach to an Old Problem". NZ Engineering.
  6. ↑ Nazzer, Craig; Keogh, Jim (2006). Advanced Design of Glycol Reclamation Plants. GPA Europe Annual Conference.
  7. ↑ Esquier, Jérémie (September 2014). "How to Select Best MEG Recovery Unit's Configuration?". Digital Refining. Prosernat. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Crawley-Boevey, S.; Jariwala, A. "Offshore MEG Regeneration and Reclamation Units; Lessons Learned from Their Design and Operation". GPA Europe Conference Proceedings.
  9. ↑ Odeigah, E.A.; Pojtanabuntoeng, T. (2022). "Regeneration and Reclamation of Mono-Ethylene Glycol (MEG) Used as a Hydrate Inhibitor: A Review". American Journal of Chemical Engineering. 10(2): 32-45. doi:10.11648/j.ajche.20221002.13.
  10. ↑ Othman, A.; Khraisheh, M.; Almomani, F.; Al-Sobhi, S.A.; AlNouss, A.; Adham, S. (2020). "Design, Optimization and Economic Analysis of a Monoethylene Glycol Recovery Process: Salt Precipitation and Vacuum Operation". International Journal of Energy Research. doi:10.1002/er.5426.
  11. ↑ Brustad, Stig; Løken, Karl-Petter; Waalmann, Jan Gunnar (2005). "Hydrate Prevention Using MEG Instead of MeOH: Impact of Experience from Major Norwegian Developments on Technology Selection for Injection and Recovery of MEG". Offshore Technology Conference. Houston, Texas, USA: Offshore Technology Conference. pp. OTC-17355-MS.
  12. ↑ Brustad, Stig; Løken, Karl-Petter; Waalmann, Jan Gunnar (2005). "Hydrate Prevention Using MEG Instead of MeOH: Impact of Experience from Major Norwegian Developments on Technology Selection for Injection and Recovery of MEG". Offshore Technology Conference. OTC-17355-MS.
  13. ↑ Crawley-Boevey, S. "Removal of Divalent Salts from Aqueous MEG Solutions in a MEG Reclamation Process". GPA Europe Conference Proceedings.
  14. ↑ Steidl, Detlef; Perlmutter, Barry A.; Gassen, Christian (2014). "Efficiently Removing Divalent Salts from MEG Reclamation Units: Developing a Tailor Made Solution". Gas Processors Association Europe Annual Conference.
  15. ↑ Latta, T. M.; Seiersten, M. E.; Bufton, S. A. (2013). "Flow Assurance Impacts on Lean/Rich MEG Circuit Chemistry and MEG Regenerator/Reclaimer Design". Offshore Technology Conference. OTC-24177-MS.
  16. ↑ Joosten, Michael W.; Tier, Benjamin; Seiersten, Marion; Wintermark, Christian (2007). "Materials Considerations for MEG (Mono Ethylene Glycol) Reclamation Systems". CORROSION 2007. NACE International. pp. Paper No. 07116.
  17. ↑ "PureMEG Monoethylene Glycol Reclamation and Regeneration System". SLB. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "MEG Recovery". NOV. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "MEG Recovery". Axens. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Glycol Regeneration and Dehydration System Packages". Veolia Water Technologies. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
  21. ↑ Lehmann, M. N.; Lamm, A.; Nguyen, H. M.; Bowman, C. W.; Mok, W. Y.; Salasi, M.; Gubner, R. (2014). "Corrosion Inhibitor and Oxygen Scavenger for Use as MEG Additives in the Inhibition of Wet Gas Pipelines". Offshore Technology Conference Asia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Offshore Technology Conference. doi:10.4043/25070-MS. OTC-25070-MS.
  22. ↑ Utslippsrapport for Gjøa 2024 (PDF) (Report) (in Norwegian). Vår Energi. 15 March 2025.
  23. ↑ "MEG Maintains Hydrates-Free Production at Laggan-Tormore". Offshore Magazine. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  24. ↑ Esquier, Jérémie (September 2014). "How to Select Best MEG Recovery Unit's Configuration?". Digital Refining. Prosernat. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  25. ↑ Boschee, Pam (23 May 2012). "Gas Hydrate Control Using Monoethylene Glycol in the Gulf of Mexico". Journal of Petroleum Technology. Society of Petroleum Engineers.
  26. ↑ Moura-Neto, M. H.; Monteiro, M. F.; Pereira, L. S.; Do Nascimento, J. F.; Chiavone-Filho, O. (20 September 2023). "Simulation and Analysis of MEG Reclamation and Regeneration Unit in Offshore Natural Gas Plants". ACS Figshare. American Chemical Society. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  27. ↑ Programa de Descomissionamento Executivo Parcial – Escopo Plataforma FPSO Cidade de Santos (PDF) (Report) (in Portuguese). Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP). April 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  28. ↑ "Lessons Learned: 30 Years of MEG Reclamation". Pontem Analytics.
  29. ↑ Al-Mudaibegh, Saud H.; Rithauddeen, Megat A.; Alawi, Muntazer (3 October 2022). "Aramco Outlines Best Practices for Sour-Gas Feed MEG System". Oil & Gas Journal: 49–56.
  30. ↑ "GEA Delivers MEG Purification Plant to BP". PROCESS Worldwide. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  31. ↑ Zia, Zhi Xia; Liu, Hao Jinlin; Lin, Zhijun; Zhou, Xiaohong (1–4 May 2017). General Design of Lean MEG Storing in the Jacket Legs on Liwan Gas Field of South China Sea. Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). Houston, Texas, USA: Offshore Technology Conference. {{cite conference}}: Unknown parameter |paper= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  32. ↑ "NOV Provides Critical MEG Technology and Bondstrand Fiberglass Piping to Ichthys LNG Project's FPSO Facility". MarketScreener. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  33. ↑ Leitinger, Ben; Dreher, Trina; Cavill, Michael; Thys, Kobe (2023). "Electrodialysis Membrane Technology Applied to MEG Reclamation – A Case Study". The APPEA Journal. 63 (1): 68–82. doi:10.1071/AJ22118.
  • Xia, Zhi; Jinlin, Hou; Li, Zhijun; Zhou, Xiaohong (2017). "General Design of Lean MEG Storing in the Jacket Legs on Liwan Gas Field of South China Sea". Offshore Technology Conference. Houston, Texas, USA: Offshore Technology Conference. OTC-27526-MS.
  • Al-Khaldi, M. H.; Al-Juhani, A. M.; Al-Mutairi, S. H.; Gurmen, M. N. (2011). "New Insights into the Removal of Calcium Sulfate Scale". SPE European Formation Damage Conference. Noordwijk, The Netherlands: Society of Petroleum Engineers. SPE-144158-MS.
  • Latta, T. M.; Seiersten, M. E.; Bufton, S. A. (2013). "Flow Assurance Impacts on Lean/Rich MEG Circuit Chemistry and MEG Regenerator/Reclaimer Design". Offshore Technology Conference. Houston, Texas, USA: Offshore Technology Conference. OTC-24177-MS.

Further reading

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  • Odeigah, E.; Pojtanabuntoeng, T. Regeneration and Reclamation of Mono-Ethylene Glycol (MEG) Used as a Hydrate Inhibitor: A Review. American Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2022.
  • Crawley-Boevey, S.; Jariwala, A. Offshore MEG Regeneration and Reclamation Units: Lessons Learned from their Design and Operation.


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