Next Generation Zero Emissions Oil Production Facilities & Field Gas Conditioning
Gas Midstream Plant –
NGL Stabilization Expansion
Expand NGL Stabilization Capacity Without a Major Plant Rebuild
Gas midstream plants are increasingly receiving inlet streams with higher NGL content than their systems were originally designed to handle. As NGL-to-oil ratios rise in upstream production, traditional surface facilities are increasingly rejecting NGLs from the crude into the gas evacuation line. The result is that excess NGLs particularly lighter ends such as ethane are delivered to midstream plants.
Existing stabilizers are now being pushed beyond their design limits. Plants are operating at higher throughput with elevated light-end content, reducing separation efficiency and producing NGL streams with elevated vapor pressure (RVP) that struggle to meet pipeline specifications. Even modest increases in light-end content can materially increase vapor pressure, pushing product off-spec and resulting in price penalties on NGL sales.
A Modular Approach to Stabilization Expansion
Pioneer Energy’s VPT + Pegasus MRU system provides a skid-based, modular solution to add incremental stabilization capacity without a major plant expansion. The system is designed for straightforward integration with existing gas and liquids handling infrastructure, minimizing tie-in complexity.
Integrated with existing stabilization systems, the VPT + Pegasus MRU removes light ends from the liquid stream, reducing NGL vapor pressure and debottlenecking existing stabilization equipment. This allows the plant to process higher volumes while restoring stabilization performance and NGL product quality.
In addition, improved separation enables recovery of heavier hydrocarbon components that would otherwise be blended into the NGL stream, creating an incremental crude value opportunity.
Incremental Capacity Without a Major Capital Project
Add stabilization capacity without rebuilding core infrastructure, avoiding the cost and timeline of major facility upgrades. Modular, skid-based systems can be deployed quickly within existing plant constraints, with minimal site construction.
Primary Benefits
Restore On-Spec NGL Product
Improve recovery of both crude components and NGLs while maintaining on-spec product. Tunable separation helps bring product back within pipeline specifications, minimizes price penalties, and recovers lost crude and NGL value – improving overall plant economics.
Improve Performance of Existing Stabilizers
Unload overstressed systems and return operation closer to design conditions, improving efficiency and operational consistency.
Primary Benefits
Additional Benefits
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Faster deployment compared to traditional plant expansions
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Lower total installed cost
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Minimal disruption to ongoing operations
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Scalable and adaptable to changing inlet conditions
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Enables flexible operation as inlet composition and volumes change
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Optional commercial structure can eliminate out-of-pocket capital expense, with Pioneer providing the complete solution.
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Vapor Pressure Treater (VPT 2500) – Designed for high-throughput vapor pressure control and stabilization applications
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Pegasus Mechanical Refrigeration Unit (Pegasus LP) – Provides efficient, modular refrigeration for light-end recovery and control
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Real-Time Integrated Control System – A single, integrated control system manages both process control and product optimization, using product specifications and pricing inputs to optimize performance in real time and maximize total output value.
Core System Components
Evaluate Your Stabilization Constraints
If your plant is experiencing throughput limitations or off-spec NGL product, Pioneer Energy can help determine how a VPT + Pegasus MRU system can add capacity and restore stabilization performance. Contact us today.