In 2007, the Gas Processing Plant was incorporated into SOCAR by the decree of the President of Azerbaijan. The Plant processes natural gas and condensate, a wide fraction of light hydrocarbons, processed natural gas, natural gasoline, commercial butane, propane-butane, heavy condensate, and heavy condensate and produces finished stock.
The Plant was designed in 1958 by GIPROAZNEFT Institute (USSR). Phase 1 of its construction resulted in the commissioning of Unit 3 and Unit 4 in 1961. Gasoline extraction and separation facilities operated in Unit 3, while Unit 4 processed gas condensate and fractionation of unstabilized natural gasoline. Within Phase 2 of construction, natural gasoline recovery facilities were built and put into operation in Unit 2 in 1963 and in Unit 1 in 1964. Thus, the original design capacity of the Plant was 4.5 bcma of natural gas. As per the design, the Plant’s products should be processed by the Sumgait petrochemical complex in the next phase. In 1986, the revamp of units was completed, bringing the Plant’s annual capacity from 4.5 to 6.5 bcma. Moreover, during the revamp project, underground gas pipelines were dismantled and installed on a pipe rack, underground utility water pipelines were dismantled and installed aboveground, and two gas metering stations were installed. In 2003-2004, metering stations called high-pressure gas outlet and general gas outlet were put into operation at the plant. In 2009, another additional line was built and put into production at the general gas output metering station.
In 1994, the shutdown of some gas-to-gasoline facilities resulted in a decline in annual refining capacity. Consequently, Process Shops 1-3 were subjected to largescale overhaul. Modern devices for measuring the gas consumption volume and output dry gas, cutting-edge Optiflex 1300 level gages were installed in commodity and intermediate parks. An automatic control system is installed in Unit 7.
The Plant operates 8 production and service areas and a central laboratory.
Natural gas is used both in household and industry, and various products are obtained from it. In all cases, natural gas goes through a preliminary processing stage. Natural gas is processed to be purified to pipeline specifications for residential or industrial use. In addition, processed gas is also used as fuel for gas-powered vehicles. Thermal power plants use gas as fuel and convert its energy into electricity. In addition, primary physical processing of natural gas can produce jet and diesel fuel, as well as boiler fuel. In industry, natural gas is widely used as a raw material to produce many products (for example, plastic products). Natural gas is also the main raw material of nitrogen fertilizers. To make natural gas liquefied, it must be subjected to preliminary physical processing.