New H2S Scavenger Passes Permian Field Trials, Merichem Moves to Commercial Rollout
Chemical Engineering reports that Merichem Technologies has completed field demonstration trials of a new hydrogen sulfide scavenger technology in the Permian basin, and the Houston-based company is now rolling it out commercially. The technology, called ECOTREAT, uses a water-soluble organic scavenger that forms covalent bonds with H2S rather than relying on amine-based chemistry. In the trials, feed gases containing 11,000 to 15,000 ppm H2S by volume saw greater than 99% removal, the company says. Unlike conventional scavengers, the spent material can be regenerated at ambient conditions by exposure to oxygen, and Merichem engineer Jeff Gomach says the company achieved up to 10,000 regeneration cycles in lab testing without material degradation. The process also uses produced water from gas extraction to buffer the reaction byproducts, reducing scaling and avoiding downstream solids handling, according to Gomach.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Gas treating crews in the Permian handling amine-based H2S scavengers may see a shift toward non-amine chemistry as ECOTREAT moves from field trial to commercial deployment, potentially changing chemical storage, handling, and PPE protocols at wellsites.
- Produced water haulers and disposal contractors should note the process integrates directly with produced water streams, which could open a new service niche for crews managing produced water logistics at treating sites.
- Field service companies bidding on gas treating equipment packages should track Merichem’s commercial rollout announcements directly, since the source does not yet specify which operators or sites will adopt the technology next.
