Physical and technical principles of production and use of biogas for energy supply of remote oil and gas facilities

Objective. This study examines the physical and technical principles of biogas production and use at remote oil and gas facilities to provide energy and increase the energy autonomy of the fields. The research objective is to establish the principles of converting the chemical energy of an organic substrate into thermal and electrical energy under autonomous power cycle conditions and to substantiate the efficiency of cogeneration using the resulting gas. Materials and Methods. The study utilized laboratory and industrial testing methods, analysis of the design and thermodynamic parameters of modular units, modeling of physical and technical processes, calculation of energy and material balances, and analysis of the performance indicators of biogas systems operating in Siberia and the Far North. Mesophilic and thermophilic fermentation modes, as well as heating, pressure, mixing, heat transfer, and gas collection features, were examined, which made it possible to determine the optimal operating parameters of the reactors. Study Results : It was established that the integration of biogas plants with cogeneration modules ensures a high level of energy efficiency: the overall efficiency reaches 86%, and the electricity supply is up to 1.9 MWh per day. Relationships between temperature conditions, substrate composition, and methane yield were identified, and calculations of heat loss and energy efficiency were confirmed. The cost of electricity generated from biogas was determined to be 40–50% lower than that of diesel generators. Discussion of Results. The data obtained demonstrate the high potential of applying the physical and technical principles of cogeneration energy conversion in remote fields. It was confirmed that optimization of thermal-hydraulic and gas-dynamic processes inside reactors can significantly reduce energy losses and increase the operational stability of systems. It was noted that the developed solutions ensure stable operation of the equipment at low temperatures and pressure fluctuations, which is important for the energy infrastructure of northern regions. Conclusion. The study demonstrated that the physical and technical aspects of the design and operation of biogas complexes are the basis for the development of autonomous energy systems in the oil and gas sector. The results obtained confirm the technological and economic feasibility of implementing modular biogas plants in remote regions of Russia, ensuring a stable energy supply, increased energy efficiency, and equipment durability while maintaining a high level of production and technical characteristics.