A Case Study of Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions Measurements and Reduction-Potential Evaluation During Oil and Gas Production in China

Abstract

Summary Reducing greenhouse–gas (GHG) emissions in oil and gas production could provide several benefits, including energy conservation, cost reduction, and economic returns. The direct–emissions measurements and reduction–potential evaluation are the prerequisites to achieve an effective reduction goal in GHG emissions. On the basis of the survey of production processes and related parameters, we identified and measured a series of GHG–emissions sources. The emissions sources were measured, including production processes and leakage–prone facilities such as dehydrators, boilers, heaters, associated gas–treatment plants, light–hydrocarbon–recovery units, storage tanks, and gas flaring. A series of leakage–detection/measurement instruments was applied as well, such as flow samplers, impeller flowmeter, gas detectors, and gas–flow probes. On the basis of the measured emissions data, we then used a simulation model to evaluate the specific forms, sources, and reduction potentials of the GHGs. The measured GHG emissions showed that evaporation and flashing losses from storage tanks were the largest source, accounting for 86% of the total methane (CH4) emissions and 42% of the total GHG emissions. The contribution of CH4 emissions from heaters and boilers during incomplete combustions was less than 1% of the total CH4 emissions and approximately 16% of the total GHG emissions. When controlling technology on storage–tank losses was applied, CH4 emissions could be reduced by 81.7% and the GHG 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 potentials of various GHG–emissions sources were analyzed. In addition, a preliminary cost/benefit analysis was performed per the emissions categories, reduction potentials, and the feasibility of reduction technologies. Finally, the probability of the application of such reduction technologies was evaluated.