Emissions and Air Quality Implications of Upstream and Midstream Oil and Gas Operations in Mexico

Elena Mcdonald-Buller,Gary Mcgaughey,John Grant,Greg Yarwood,Tejas Shah,Yosuke Kimura

doi:10.3390/atmos12121696

Abstract

Mexico approved amendments to its constitution in December 2013 that initiated transformational changes to its energy sector. This study developed a 2016 bottom-up emissions inventory for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from upstream and midstream sector sources, including onshore and offshore well sites, gas flaring, natural gas processing facilities, and natural gas compressor stations, throughout Mexican basins. Crude oil storage tanks at onshore oil well sites and venting and fugitive sources at offshore oil production sites were the primary sources of VOC emissions. Key contributions to NOx, CO, and PM2.5 emissions were from internal combustion engines at offshore oil well sites and midstream operations. SO2 emissions were associated with onshore and offshore gas flaring and boilers and process heaters at natural gas processing facilities. Application of the inventory with the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx) indicated that oil and gas production operations could contribute to ozone and PM2.5 concentrations in Mexican and U.S. states under favorable transport patterns. This study provides a foundation for assessing the implications of Mexico’s future energy policies on emissions and domestic and cross-border air quality and public health.

Highlights

Mexico has been among the world’s major exporters of crude oil, which has been crucial to its economy
This study developed a bottom-up emissions inventory for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), SO2, carbon monoxide (CO), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) from upstream and midstream sector sources, including onshore and offshore well sites, gas flaring, natural gas processing facilities, and natural gas compressor stations for the 2016 base year across Mexican basins as a foundation for assessing future national policies and oil and gas production activity
Emissions from flaring and natural gas compressor stations were each represented by a single SCC category, as described above

Summary

Introduction

Mexico has been among the world’s major exporters of crude oil, which has been crucial to its economy. Oil production peaked in 2004 with the supergiant Cantarell field in the southern Gulf of Mexico but has declined by 50% since [1] due to constraints in investment resources and technical expertise required to fully exploit its hydrocarbon resources [2]. Between 2015 and 2018, Mexico awarded more than 100 contracts to companies within Mexico and 19 other countries for exploration and extraction of its onshore, shallow water, and deepwater hydrocarbon resources [5], which remain the property of the nation [4]. Following a transition in presidential administrations in December 2018, national priorities have emphasized energy sovereignty and increasing oil production and refining capacity with the prioritization and strengthening of Pemex [6,7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion