Midstream
Midstream services encompass a critical phase in the energy value chain, bridging upstream production and downstream markets. These operations include the transportation, storage and processing of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs).
Why Midstream Matters in Oil, Gas & Chemicals
Demand for natural gas and NGLs is rising as global strategies shift and expanded export opportunities drive growth in petrochemical production. Whether it’s transporting feedstock to fractionation facilities, chilling ethane, propane, and butane for storage and export, midstream operations are essential to monetizing hydrocarbons.
Producers face pressure to optimize uptime, lower operating costs and meet environmental targets, all while expanding capacity and flexibility. With attention to efficiency, safety and reliability, our team delivers comprehensive solutions that help operators maximize value while navigating evolving market conditions and regulatory demands.
How Midstream Systems Add Value to the Oil, Gas & Chemical Industry
We combine process knowledge, engineer-procure-construct (EPC) delivery and regulatory familiarity to support projects from feasibility studies through commissioning. With support from our multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams, you can benefit from streamlined communication, predictable project outcomes and adaptable delivery models tailored to project and contracting needs.
Our team of professionals has successfully undertaken a diverse range of projects, from cold service terminals to dividing wall column (DWC) fractionators.
Our projects for midstream systems include:
NGL fractionation. Our team has executed more than 20 major fractionation projects in recent years. Our experience includes both grassroots and revamp applications, capacity optimization, and debottlenecking studies. As patent holders of DWC distillation processes, we can offer compact, cost-effective solutions that reduce capital and operational costs while improving yield and throughput. In one of our recent projects, our cloning strategy for fractionation system design resulted in repeatable, efficient delivery and minimized risk.
Export terminals. We help bring products to global markets through terminal and cold service infrastructure designed for reliability and safety. Our work includes chilling, refrigeration, boil-off gas, vapor recovery and marine loading systems. We’ve supported several multibillion-dollar export terminal projects, including:
- Ethane. These facilities require cryogenic treatment systems and careful integration of refrigeration, storage and loading processes. Our projects have included dual-refrigerant compression systems, liquefaction units and 800,000-barrel tanks for export readiness. We guide owners through plot plan optimization, offering FEED packages and utility system planning to reduce cost and support expansion.
- Butane. Our team has executed butane drying, chilling and storage infrastructure for projects, designing systems for both butane and propane export. We apply modular, flexible strategies that allow integration with existing systems or accommodate phased build-outs.
- Propane. Our propane solutions improve throughput while minimizing emissions and energy use. Our projects have included both brownfield expansion and greenfield chilling capacity. Our EPC teams coordinate utilities, vessel procurement and cold commissioning to help meet tight deadlines.
Ammonia terminals. Our experience includes design for refrigeration, storage and marine loading. Recent projects have included dual 60,000-ton storage tanks, new marine docks and boil-off gas recovery systems. We manage permitting and safety considerations tied to pressurized or refrigerated tanks and handle both brownfield and greenfield development. We understand the process and safety needs of ammonia terminals and integrate that knowledge from front-end planning (FEP) through startup.
Gas processing. Our gas plant experience spans from front-end studies to EPC for 150-400 MMSCF facilities. Our work includes turbo expander refrigeration processes, amine treating, dehydration and residue compression. Our team delivers systems under tight schedules and remote conditions.
The Burns & McDonnell Difference
Our team offers deep technical knowledge backed by decades of experience executing end-to-end solutions under a single contract. These methods reduce risk and improve schedule reliability.
We have developed a depth of hydrocarbon experience that includes engineering and building systems to support gas plants, modular fractionators, and large-scale ethane, propane and ammonia export terminals.
Owners rely on our integrated EPC approach to streamline execution, reduce interface risks, and meet complex regulatory and operational requirements across varied geographies and project sizes.
