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A newly launched technology known as Flare Buster is capable of converting natural gas streams, such as flare gas and stranded gas from remote sites, to synthesis gas (syngas) and then to synthetic crude oil via a Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis process. The skid-mounted and transportable system converts nominally 5 million std ft3/d of natural gas into 500 bbl/d of synthetic crude oil, adding value to a waste stream and reducing emissions. Developed jointly by Emerging Fuels Technology (EFT; Broken Arrow, Okla.; www.emergingfuels.com) and Black & Veatch Corp. (B&V; Overland Park, Kan.; www.bv.com), the self-sufficient Flare Buster system is now available in 500-bbl/d incremental sized units that can be combined for higher-volume applications. Customized facilities are also available to meet the specific requirements of the plant. “Flared gas is lost money,” says Doug Miller, vice president of Black & Veatch’s oil & gas and energy division. The Flare Buster can help to monetize gas that would otherwise be wasted, and then can be easily moved to another location as needs change, he comments. Flare Buster (block diagram) initially converts the natural gas feed to syngas by partial oxidation or steam-methane reforming.…