An Integrated Model for Selecting The Best Fuel to Develop in The Value Chain of Natural Gas

A value chain is a series of events that takes a raw material and with each step adds value to it. Global interest in the application of natural gas in production and transportation has grown dramatically, representing a long-term, low-cost, domestic, secure, etc. alternative to petroleum-based fuels. Many technological solutions are currently considered on the market or in development that address the challenge and opportunity of natural gas. In this paper, an integrated model is introduced for selecting the best fuel to develop in the value chain of natural gas through the four options: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Dimethyl Ether (DME) and Gas-To-Liquids (GTL). The presented model uses the Multiple Attribute Decision-making (MADM) techniques to select the best fuel in the value chain of natural gas based on the criteria such as market situations, technology available and transportation infrastructure. The model recommends some key guidelines for two branches of countries i.e. those have natural gas resources and the others. We believe that applying the proposed model helps the oil & gas / energy ministries in most effective and productive manner dealing with his complicated fuel-related production and transportation decision-making situations.