The Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) is targeting the commercialisation of pentane and isopentane recovered from its gas processing operations by the end of 2026, in a move expected to reduce gas flaring and generate additional revenue.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Judith Adjobah Blay, says studies have been completed to determine the available quantities of the hydrocarbons, with the findings confirming that their recovery and commercialisation are economically viable.
Speaking at the Ghana Gas Media Soirée, she said the project would involve deploying technology to capture the gases, store them in tankers and transport them to the Takoradi Port for export.
“We have done some studies. We have confirmed the quantities that are there and they are commercially good for us to even start working on it,” she said.
Ms Blay explained that the initiative forms part of the company’s efforts to minimise the environmental impact of its operations while creating new revenue streams from gases that would otherwise be flared.
At the company’s Atuabo processing facility, some gas is flared within limits permitted by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
However, she said Ghana Gas was exploring ways to reduce the practice by finding commercial uses for the gases.
“As a company, we care about the environment. We don’t want to see that gas flaring. So we want to commercialise it. So two things will happen. We will save the environment, and then we will also bring in some revenue,” she added.
Ghana Gas plans to engage bulk distribution companies (BDCs) to purchase the recovered gases and facilitate their transportation to the port for export to markets where they can be put to other uses.
The initiative is expected to help maximise the value of Ghana’s oil and gas resources while reducing avoidable emissions associated with gas processing.