Taking offshore methane measurements to new levels
Understanding and addressing methane emissions is an important step toward net zero, but traditional methodologies of reporting emissions at source level are under increasing scrutiny.
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ENI
Challenge
In emerging countries, developing renewable power capacity can face barriers including grids that struggle with intermittent resource, and difficulties in offering security of payments to investors over a plant’s lifetime. By deploying financial and technical capabilities via local joint ventures, international oil companies like Eni are able to help overcome these barriers, whilst reducing the carbon footprint of their own operations.
Solution
Eni is using solar energy as a hybrid power option across a series of their oil and gas operations in emerging countries. Starting in Algeria with 10MWp at Bir Rebaa North in 2019, followed by installation of the Bhit solar plant of 10MWp in Pakistan in 2019, and the 5MWp Adam plant in Tunisia in January 2020, the company has reached over 25 MWp capacity of clean power.
Using state-of-the-art configurations, the plants reduce gas consumption at Eni’s nearby production facilities and demonstrate that renewables can efficiently support upstream operations, providing zero carbon energy to power oil treatment.
Result
The 5 MWp Adam plant is saving over 6,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. It includes a 2.2 MWp storage battery – a hybrid system combining gas, photovoltaic and storage that is one of the most innovative in the world. The larger 10 MWp Bhit plant is expected to avoid more than 144,000 tonnes of emissions over its lifetime.
Expanding impact
These projects are part of Eni’s overall strategy for decarbonization and transformation towards green energy and emissions reduction. They are conducted in joint venture with local partners, who can then deploy the same experience on other facilities in their country and contribute to the growth of the renewable sector. This business model combines both economic and financial sustainability with environmental sustainability.
What OGCI member companies are doing to reduce methane emissions
Member companies are expanding leak detection and repair campaigns, removing high-emitting devices, and reducing both flaring and venting.
TotalEnergies and Qnergy remove 98% of vented methane emissions
Across many of the world’s natural gas production fields, gas pneumatic devices used for process control and chemical injection vent methane directly into the air.
EXXONMOBIL – Methane management in unconventional operations
ExxonMobil is progressing a comprehensive methane management programme which is on track to meet its goal of reducing methane emissions by 15% in 2020, compared to 2016.
REPSOL – New generation membrane technology reduces emissions
In 2018, Repsol introduced a comprehensive set of internal metrics, targets and action plans to ensure meaningful progress towards climate change mitigation.
SAUDI ARAMCO – Getting results with leak detection and repair
Saudi Aramco’s leak detection and repair programme, enables the mitigation of fugitive leaks, one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the industry.
ENI – Investing in flaring reduction
Having reduced upstream operated carbon intensity by 20% since 2014, Eni is on track to achieve its company target of 43% reduction by 2025.
CNPC – Tackling methane emissions
Reducing upstream methane emissions from oil and gas operations is an important component of CNPC’s Green Action Plan
BP – Mapping and capping methane emissions with Kairos Aerospace
bp has pledged to measure its methane emissions by 2023 and has enlisted Kairos to conduct aerial surveys.
