generator using flare gas – NunnallyCan someone tell me the company advertised by Sara Nunnally that has a generator that is using flare gas to generate electricity?
This is a discussion topic or guest posting submitted by a Stock Gumshoe reader. The content has not been edited or reviewed by Stock Gumshoe, and any opinions expressed are those of the author alone.
Yep, that ad has been circulating for over a year now and presumably is still teasing Capstone Turbine, you can see our initial report from last year here: http://www.stockgumshoe.com/reviews/macro-trader/burning-money-were-teased-that-prez-obama-loves-this-company-that-turns-natural-gas-flaring-into-cash/
While I have not seen the tout you mentioned, I am well aware of a company manufacturing the aforementioned “flare gas” generator. That device is referred to by the manufacturer as a “GeoVOLT 2500”. Here is a link to a video with more info. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij7tyG0LABI
These units are showing up in the shale fields and are powering equipment once only able to be served by expensive diesel generators. Once the well is in and pressure is available, these units are plumbed into the pipeline heading to the gathering (aggregation) site. They do not “consume” gas, but instead consume/regulate pipeline pressure.
Bill DeLong
Bill; May I point out that the generator you mention is spun by a turbine using pressure from a high pressure gas well much like turbines are used in hydro dams. It involves no burning of flare gas which is the gas that comes up the well with oil much like CO2 in a soda bottle. Besides Methane or natural gas flare gas often also has other gases such as CO2,,Hydrogen sulfide ( Extremely toxic,,,rotten egg smell) SO2 & several others. It is flared or burned so as not allow unwanted build up of gases near the rig which might ignite or merely be toxic to workers. Nearly any internal combustion engine can be modified to burn the gas or as partially replacing Diesel etc. I would not hold out hope of any substantial increase in the profitability of the well by doing so. Most often the reason for flaring is non availabilty of pipe lines or population to market the electricity or gas . fa
Travis, the Capstone turbines are not large enough to prevent flaring, which is typically big gas. But they do turn a well into an electrical generation site. And electricity, I imagine, is cheaper to transport & sell than gas. After 15 years in business their losses are narrowing. If and when they actually start making money, CPST could be quite interesting.