GPA founded in the US in the 1920's. In 1983, GPA Europe was established as a parallel organisation.

We currently have over 200 members, including the great majority of European gas companies. We aim to provide a forum to share ideas by bringing together business and technical leaders from a range of gas processing organisations across 20+ countries.

We are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing gas processing, LNG, hydrogen, carbon capture, and associated energy technologies across Europe and beyond.

We bring together students, engineers, technical specialists, business leaders, and operating companies to share knowledge, develop best practices, and shape the future of the gas and energy transition industries.

Here at GPAE , our role is two-fold:

1  GPAE promotes technical and operational excellence

2  GPAE serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas and information

This month we are looking back to a paper from Rieks de Rink, Paqell. The most downloaded paper from last month, presented at the GPAE Annual Conference 2026.

“Start-Up and Operation of a New Thiopaq O&G Unit for Flare Gas Recovery in Oman”

"In 2025, a new gas sweeting unit for the recovery of sour flare gas from oil production has been put in operation at an existing production station of PDO in Oman. To remove H2S, PDO selected the Thiopaq O&G (TOG) process, supplied and licensed by SLB and Paqell. This environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional physico-chemical desulfurization processes utilizes naturally occurring bacteria to convert toxic H2S to reusable elemental biosulfur.

The TOG unit in Oman is designed for a total gas flow rate of 365,000 Sm3/day, combining 3 sour flare gas streams. During start-up, it appeared that the CO2 and mercaptan concentrations were significantly higher than anticipated at the design. Built-in process margins allowed for the successful treatment of the gas. Furthermore, by including several measures in the design, the solution temperature can be maintained successfully <40 °C despite Oman’s hot climate.

Four months after initial gas intake, the TOG unit achieved near-design gas flow rates, demonstrating very stable and robust operation without process upsets. Chemical consumptions are well within design parameters. The 72-hour Site Acceptance Test for the facility was successfully completed and gas is being exported to the South Oman Gas Line.”