What is Associated Petroleum Gas (APG)?
When you turn on the lights, cook on a gas stove, or charge your phone, you probably don’t think about where that energy comes from. Most people are familiar with oil and natural gas. But what if I told you that when we extract oil, there’s also a “hidden cousin” of natural gas—that’s Associated Gas, also known as Associated Petroleum Gas (APG)?
What is Associated Petroleum Gas (APG)?
Associated gas, also known as Associated Petroleum Gas (APG), is essentially natural gas that emerges from the ground together with crude oil. If you’ve ever seen flames burning above an oil field at night, that’s associated gas—also referred to as APG.
Imagine oil companies drilling for oil and not just getting black liquid, but also gas coming up along with it. This gas is associated gas.
- Sometimes it’s dissolved in the oil, and sometimes it floats above it.
- It is natural gas extracted from the ground alongside crude oil.
How Associated Gas Relates to Natural Gas
Natural gas is a broad family. It can exist alone (like in the large gas fields of Qatar or the U.S.) or coexist with oil.
- Associated gas is a member of the natural gas family—a byproduct of oil extraction that only appears when oil is produced. It’s often called “extra gas.”
- The other category is non-associated gas, which is found alone and is not related to oil.
Simply put: All associated gas is natural gas, but not all natural gas is associated gas. If oil is the “main course” in an oil field, associated gas is the “side dish” that comes with it.
Where Does Associated Gas Come From?
Associated gas forms naturally underground alongside crude oil, created in the same way as oil and natural gas: from ancient plants and animals buried under high heat and pressure for millions of years.
Step 1: Oil and gas form together underground.
Step 2: When drilling occurs, both oil and gas are released.
Step 3: Above ground, oil and gas are separated.
Step 4: The gas is processed and used, reinjected into the well, or flared (burned off).
- Processing and Use: Cleaned, transported, and sold as fuel.
- Reinjection: Pushed back underground to help recover more oil.
- Flaring or Venting: Burned or released into the air if no facilities are available.
Sadly, flaring is still common, especially in remote areas without pipelines or processing plants.
What’s Inside Associated Petroleum Gas?
Associated gas is like a “mixed basket” full of various useful fuels. Some goes directly to your kitchen, some powers factories, and some turns into the plastic in your phone case.
- Methane (CH₄) — The main fuel, burns cleaner than coal.
- Ethane, Propane, Butane — Suitable for LPG (the gas used in cooking cylinders).
- Minor Impurities — Such as carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide.
Pros & Cons of Associated Petroleum Gas
| Pros | Cons |
| Burns cleaner than coal or oil | Difficult to capture in remote areas |
| Extra revenue: can be sold as LPG | Methane leaks = potent greenhouse gas (80x CO₂) |
| Versatile uses: from cooking gas to plastics | Expensive infrastructure (pipelines, plants) |
| A “transition fuel” in the energy shift | Still a fossil fuel, not entirely clean |
Where in the World is Associated Gas Found?
Wherever oil is found, associated gas may also be present. Major sources include:
- Russia and Kazakhstan — Large oil producers with big gas recovery projects.
- Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran) — Major oil fields rich in gas.
- United States — Especially shale oil regions like Texas.
- Nigeria and Angola — African oil hubs where flaring remains a challenge.
Why Does APG Recovery Matter?
Every time you cook, charge your phone, or turn on a light, some of that energy might come from associated gas. When oil is extracted, associated gas comes with it. If it’s simply flared or leaked, it’s a waste of money, energy, and clean air.
Recovering this gas is highly meaningful. It can be turned into LPG for kitchens, electricity for homes, or raw materials for everyday products. This means lower bills, more reliable energy, and reduced dependence on imports.
It also benefits the planet. Instead of burning APG in flares and releasing methane—a super-potent greenhouse gas—KAITIANGAS Associated Petroleum Gas Recovery Solution captures and purifies this gas, turning waste into usable, economical energy.
Recovering associated gas benefits your wallet, your community, and the environment. Wasting it means losing money and harming the planet.
Final Thoughts
Associated gas is not just a byproduct—it’s a key piece of the global energy puzzle. Supporting policies and companies that responsibly recover and utilize associated gas means a healthier planet and more secure energy for all of us.
- If we use it well, it’s a hidden treasure: more jobs, cheaper energy, cleaner air.
- If we waste it, it’s a double loss: lost money and more climate damage.
Supporting policies and companies that capture and reuse APG means a healthier planet and a more secure energy future for everyone.
