Invited ReviewPotential applications of membrane separation for subsea natural gas processing: A review

The petroleum industry is receiving increased interest in subsea oil and gas processing as it is running out of easily accessible oil and gas reservoirs. Membrane processes fulfill subsea design requirements with a simple and compact design. However, today no application has been used subsea. This paper reviews the advances in membrane separation to date in view of the industrial needs for subsea separation. Some potential applications of membranes and membrane processes in subsea processing are proposed based on the topside experience. Two subsea natural gas treatment processes, namely natural gas dehydration and acid gas removal, are discussed in details with respect to the advantages and challenges in the implementation of membrane technology subsea, including future research perspectives. This study can be a starting point in connecting the two research areas (subsea separation and membrane technology) together.