A technology developed by Engelhard Corporation is enabling a Western Kentucky oil and gas producer to generate revenue from the sale of purified natural gas previously contaminated with nitrogen.

Endeavor Energy Resources, LP is using Engelhard's Molecular Gate adsorbent-based technology to remove nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from production-associated natural gas at its Western Kentucky facility, thereby enabling the gas to meet pipeline specifications. Endeavor Energy is treating natural gas produced from New Albany Shale and delivering the product stream to an interstate pipeline.

By implementing Engelhard Molecular Gate adsorbent-based technology at its unit, Endeavor Energy has successfully upgraded the feed stream from 15 percent nitrogen to a pipeline specification of 4 percent. 

"The system allows us to generate a revenue stream from the sale of gas that was otherwise useless because of the higher level of nitrogen present," said Brad Bates of Endeavor Energy's Western Kentucky operations. "We selected the Molecular Gate adsorbent-based system due to its economical processing cost and easy operation."