A Case Study of Greenhouse Gas Emission Measurements and Reduction Potential Evaluation during Oil & Gas Production in China

Abstract

Abstract The reduction of greenhouse gas emission in oil and gas production could bring several benefits including energy conservation, cost reduction and economic returns. The direct emission measurements and reduction potential evaluation is the prerequisite to achieve an effective reduction goal on greenhouse gas emission. Based on the survey of production processes and related parameters, a series of greenhouse gas emission sources were identified and measured. The emission sources including production processes, leakage-prone facilities such as dehydrator, boilers, heaters, associated gas treatment plant, light hydrocarbon recovery unit, storage tank, and gas flaring were measured. A series of leakage detection and measurement instruments were applied as well, such as Hi-Flow™ Sampler, impeller flowmeter, Bascom-Turner gas sentry and gas flow probes, etc. Based on the measured emission data, a simulation model was then used to evaluate the specific forms, sources and the reduction potentials of the greenhouse gases. The measured greenhouse gas emissions showed that: evaporation and flashing losses from storage tanks were the largest source, accounting for 86% of the total methane emission, and 42% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. The contribution of methane emissions from heaters and boilers during incomplete combustions was less than 1% of the total methane emissions, and about 16% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. When controlling technology on storage tank losses was applied, methane emission could be reduced by 81.7%, and the greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 39.9%. Furthermore, such controlling technologies also presented substantial economic benefits through the recovery of fuel gas. In this study, the recovery potential of various greenhouse gas emission sources were analyzed. In addition, a preliminary cost-benefit analysis was performed per the emission categories, reduction potentials, and the feasibility of reduction technologies. Finally, the probability on the application of such reduction technologies were evaluated.