Bronte Wells
Oil and natural gas operations are the largest industrial source of methane pollution in the US. The production, transport, and processing of oil and gas result in billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, contributing to global warming and climate change. To limit oil and natural gas pollution, regulatory bodies like the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have proposed and implemented various measures. These include the EPA's Clean Air Act regulations, which aim to reduce methane and other harmful air pollutants, and the IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, which targets a 50% reduction in emissions intensity from oil and gas operations by the end of the decade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reduce methane emissions | 80% reduction expected by EPA |
| Reduce smog-forming volatile organic compounds | |
| Reduce toxic air pollutants | e.g. benzene |
| Reduce sulfur dioxide, mercury compounds, nitrogen oxides | |
| Limit flaring | |
| Conduct inspections to detect leaks | |
| Close wells scheduled for closure | |
| Use advanced technology | |
| Reduce emissions intensity | 50% reduction by 2030 |
| Reduce oil and gas consumption | |
| Electrify upstream facilities with low-emissions electricity | |
| Equip carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies | |
| Expand the use of hydrogen from low-emissions electrolysis | |
| Reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce methane emissions
Oil and gas operations are the largest source of methane emissions from the energy sector. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and reducing methane emissions is vital to tackling climate change and limiting near-term global warming. The good news is that the technologies and measures to prevent methane emissions are well known and have been successfully deployed in multiple locations around the world.
One of the main ways oil and gas operations release methane into the atmosphere is through the wasteful practices of intentional flaring and venting, as well as through unintentional fugitive methane emissions. Fugitive methane emissions refer to leaks and other unintentional releases of methane during the production and transportation of natural gas. These leaks can be caused by poor maintenance and broken equipment, and they can release enormous amounts of methane.
To reduce methane emissions from flaring, it is important to ensure that flares are always lit and have automatic systems to reignite if they go out. Additionally, integrated flare reduction and gas management strategies can help reduce methane emissions from other sources, such as venting and fugitive releases.
Other effective strategies to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations include leak detection and repair campaigns, installing emissions control devices, and replacing components that emit methane in their normal operations. These measures can often be implemented at no net cost, and they can even be profitable, as methane is a valuable commodity.
Policy tools such as technology standards and bans on non-emergency flaring and methane venting can also help drive reductions in methane emissions. Additionally, companies can play an important role by setting targets to limit or reduce their emissions intensity, and investors can send clear signals that good performers will be rewarded.
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Limit flaring
Flaring is the burning of natural gas associated with oil extraction. It has been practiced since the beginning of oil production over 160 years ago. Flaring releases substantial volumes of potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), including methane, black soot, and nitrous oxide, which contribute to climate change and harm human health.
To limit flaring, governments and organizations have implemented various measures:
Policy and Regulatory Measures
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has played a significant role in reducing air pollution from oil and natural gas operations. The EPA's Clean Air Act regulations aim to combat climate change and mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on public health. The agency has proposed and implemented rules to reduce methane emissions, smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and toxic air pollutants such as benzene from new, modified, and reconstructed sources.
Technological Solutions
Small-scale gas utilization technologies have emerged as viable alternatives to flaring. These include small electricity generation plants, truck-mounted liquefied natural gas plants, and integrated compressed natural gas systems. While these technologies can be expensive to implement, they offer technically viable options for capturing and utilizing associated gas.
Industry Initiatives
The Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership, a public-private initiative, aims to increase the use of natural gas associated with oil production. They strive to remove technical and regulatory barriers, conduct research, and disseminate best practices. Additionally, oil producers are encouraged to implement gas capture and recovery techniques to eliminate non-emergency flaring.
Monitoring and Compliance
Installing flare meters and utilizing satellite data for daily flare monitoring helps distinguish between emergency and non-emergency flaring. This transparency ensures operators comply with regulations and encourages the timely development of associated gas infrastructure and flaring reduction technologies.
Incentivizing Associated Gas Utilization
Associated gas can be used for productive purposes, such as generating electricity at production sites or powering diesel generators, displacing more polluting alternatives. This approach not only reduces flaring but also provides economic incentives for capturing and utilizing associated gas.
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Electrify upstream facilities
Electrifying upstream facilities is a promising strategy to reduce emissions and mitigate the environmental impact of oil and natural gas operations. Upstream petroleum production involves energy-intensive processes and equipment, resulting in vast emissions of CO2, CH4, N2O, and other harmful pollutants. By transitioning to electrification, the industry can significantly reduce its carbon footprint.
The concept of upstream energy integration, also known as field electrification, involves powering upstream operations with renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels. This approach has gained prominence in regions like the Norwegian Continental Shelf, where Norway has successfully electrified several domestic petroleum-producing fields, resulting in substantial emission reductions. For example, by electrifying rigs and other assets, Norway achieved an 86% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions per barrel of oil equivalent produced.
The success of Norway's upstream electrification efforts can be attributed to its abundant renewable energy resources, particularly hydroelectric power. This unique position has enabled the country to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from upstream production. Other countries may face logistical challenges, such as limited access to power grids and renewable energy sources, but even partial electrification can lead to significant emission reductions.
To maximize the benefits of electrification, careful planning is necessary. This includes selecting optimal technologies, assessing costs, and ensuring a reliable energy supply, especially in remote locations. By strategically implementing electrification, the oil and natural gas industry can make substantial progress towards sustainability and reducing their environmental impact.
In conclusion, electrifying upstream facilities is a crucial step towards minimizing oil and natural gas pollution. With the pressing issue of climate change, the industry must embrace innovative solutions to reduce emissions and contribute to global sustainability objectives. Electrification, where economically viable, offers a promising path towards a more environmentally friendly future for the oil and natural gas sector.
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Carbon capture, utilisation and storage
Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is a critical component of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels, biomass, and waste. The Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) on Greenhouse Gas R&D was founded in 1991 to evaluate and accelerate the progress of CCUS and other technologies in reducing these emissions.
CCUS involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) before it enters the atmosphere and then storing or utilising it. As of 2024, there are around 45 commercial facilities applying CCUS to industrial processes, fuel transformation, and power generation. These facilities capture about one-thousandth of global greenhouse gas emissions, with the total amount of CO2 captured expected to reach around 435 million tonnes per year by 2030.
Captured CO2 can be utilised in various ways, such as using it as a feedstock for making products like fertilisers, fuels, and plastics. However, to qualify as carbon storage, utilisation must be long-term, as products like fertilisers, fuels, and chemicals release CO2 when burned or consumed. Therefore, about 20% of captured CO2 is injected into dedicated geological storage, such as deep saline aquifers, which are layers of porous and permeable rocks saturated with salty water. Other types of reservoirs for storing CO2 are also being researched and piloted, such as coal beds, ex-situ mineral carbonation, and in-situ mineral carbonation.
Governments play a key role in the development of CCUS hubs by coordinating hub development through competitive solicitations that encourage collaboration across multiple sectors. Efforts are already underway in countries like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, funding for CCUS projects has been provided by the European Union, the Netherlands, and Denmark, further boosting project development.
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Reduce smog-forming volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from thousands of everyday products and can have serious health and environmental impacts. They are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes and can be found both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, they are emitted from sources such as home cleaning products, building materials, and personal care products. Outdoors, they are emitted from sources such as motor vehicles, vessels, industrial activities, and consumer products. VOCs contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone and smog, which can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
To reduce smog-forming VOCs, individuals can take several actions:
- Avoid using aerosol consumer products such as hairsprays, air fresheners, deodorants, and insecticides that often use VOCs as propellants. Instead, opt for non-aerosol products in pump, solid, liquid, gel, or roll-on forms.
- Replace solvent-based paints with water-based paints. If solvent-based paints must be used, apply them with hand brushes or rollers instead of sprayers to reduce the use of thinners, which are mostly VOCs.
- Avoid using VOC-containing products such as organic cleaning solvents. Instead, choose natural or VOC-free alternatives.
- Store VOC-containing products in airtight containers and store them outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
- Buy products with less packaging, as the printing of packaging materials generates VOCs.
- Increase ventilation when using products containing VOCs. Open windows and use fans to pull indoor air outdoors.
- Dispose of unwanted products safely and properly to prevent VOCs from being released into the environment.
In addition to individual actions, governments and organizations are also implementing measures to reduce VOC emissions:
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued regulations and standards to reduce VOC emissions from various industries, including the oil and natural gas sector. For example, the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) aim to reduce emissions from oil and gas production and storage facilities.
- The European Union's VOC Solvents Emissions Directive addresses industrial emissions of VOCs in a range of solvent-using activities, such as printing, surface cleaning, and vehicle coating.
- Regional collaborations, such as the partnership between the HKSAR Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government, aim to set targets and implement control measures to jointly reduce VOC emissions in specific regions.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common forms of oil and gas pollution are air and water pollution, which can occur at any stage of production or use. Burning oil and natural gas releases air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, mercury compounds, and nitrogen oxides. Oil and natural gas operations are also the largest industrial source of methane pollution.
There are several methods to reduce pollution from oil and natural gas operations:
- Using advanced technology to limit methane emissions
- Eliminating all non-emergency flaring
- Electrifying upstream facilities with low-emissions electricity
- Employing carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies
- Expanding the use of hydrogen from low-emissions electrolysis in refineries
The EPA has implemented various measures to reduce pollution from oil and natural gas operations, including:
- Finalising rules to reduce emissions of methane and other harmful air pollutants
- Proposing revisions to the Clean Air Act rule to address petitions for reconsideration
- Issuing the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for oil and natural gas production and transmission facilities
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