The Environmental Benefits of Repurposing Tubular Steel from North Sea Oil and Gas Fields

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of conducting this LCA was to calculate the potential environmental impacts of the repurposing of John Lawrie Tubulars products sourced from North Sea Oil and Gas fields and to compare repurposed steel tubulars to those made from prime steel1throughout their lifecycle. The analysis includes multiple environmental characterization indicators associated with the material processing, on-site operations, and supply chain. The benefits of repurposed tubulars are consistently beneficial across all environmental indicators when compared to prime steel tubulars. The life cycle analysis results show that for every tonne of steel tubular repurposed there is a 97.21% saving of carbon emissions over a prime steel seamless equivalent and is 97.78% for welded steel tubulars (cradle to gate). Further characterization analysis (cradle to site) showed that distribution presented the highest impact (47%) with materials (26%) and material transportation (15%). The average delivery in the UK adds 56.53kgCO2eto John Lawrie's tubular steel giving a cradle to delivery at the customers gate of 118.53kgCO2eper tonne2. The combined material and distribution carbon footprint of repurposed tubular products (cradle to site) has ~6% of the impact of those made from prime steel. With growing pressure on the construction industry amongst others to be more resource efficient, and to lower embodied carbon, material reuse strategies are critical to meet targets. Considering the potential of the results for environmental impact reduction there is the need to further develop and promote the application of repurposed steel tubulars. This data can be used to demonstrate the environmental impacts and benefits of refurbished tubulars and supports the efficacy of environmental claims and contribution to circular economy. With both the construction and energy industries focused on finding innovative ways in which to reduce their emissions and support the Scottish and UK Governments in bringing all greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to net zero by 2050, this study details one way these industries can help drive the changes required.