UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, will collaborate with Petronas on natural gas processing technology, UOP reported.

The joint development program is focused on technology to overcome challenges faced by producers of LNG as they seek to monetize natural gas more economically by moving gas processing from onshore facilities to ships that will moor closer to offshore gas fields, according to a news release.

The program will center on advanced carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption technology to improve the reliability of equipment used to remove contaminants from natural gas before it is liquefied, while also reducing the weight and footprint of the equipment onboard ships. Technical improvements developed to better meet LNG specifications also may be deployed in the next generation of onshore and offshore gas processing equipment.

As part of the joint program, Petronas and UOP scientists will work on designs for next-generation equipment to overcome challenges posed by gas treatment onboard ships, and the two companies will design and build a land-based pilot plant to demonstrate the technology.

UOP offers technology, equipment, and materials to extract contaminants such as CO2, hydrogen sulfide, mercury, and water prior to liquefaction, or remove trace sulfur compounds from the feed gas to create cleaner-burning natural gas.