As associated gas from the Permian Basin continues to help drive a boom in LNG projects, removing the relatively high levels of nitrogen is growing into a lucrative business for Chart Industries Inc., according to company executives.

LNG

Generally, liquefied natural gas facilities limit the percentage of nitrogen in the end product to 1%. While some midstreamers have been integrating nitrogen rejection units (NRU) as a part of gathering systems and gas processing plants in the Permian, LNG producers have been increasingly searching for ways to further reduce nitrogen levels.

During a first quarter call with investors, CEO Jillian Evanko said the equipment manufacturer is seeing the “highest ever demand” for engineering and design studies for its NRUs and heavy hydrocarbon...