Sweet and sour: A quantitative analysis of methane emissions in contrasting Alberta, Canada, heavy oil developments.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used truck-based surveys coupled with qualitative optical gas imaging (OGI) to quantify and characterize methane emission rates and sources at nearly 1350 and 940 well sites in two major cold heavy oil production with or without sand (CHOPS, or CHOP) developments respectively in 2016 and 2018.
About: This article is published in Science of The Total Environment.The article was published on 2022-02-10. It has received 7 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Environmental science & Methane.
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TL;DR: In this article , a comprehensive overview on the oil and gas pathway to net-zero, which will not only technically guide the oil-and gas decarbonisations, also be of interest to wide-range readers who are not experts but intend to understand the energy transitions.
16 citations
TL;DR: Deziel et al. as discussed by the authors presented a survey of the state of the art in the field of energy efficiency and energy efficiency in the United States of America, focusing on the following departments: 1 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College St., New Haven, CT 06510, USA; 2.
Abstract: Nicole C Deziel1,∗, Lisa MMcKenzie, Joan A Casey, Thomas E McKone, Jill E Johnston, David J X Gonzalez, Seth B C Shonkoff and Rachel Morello-Frosch 1 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College St., New Haven, CT 06510, United States of America 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States of America 3 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America 4 Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States of America 5 Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States of America 6 Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America 7 PSE Healthy Energy, Oakland, CA, United States of America ∗ Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors found that inactive sites regionally accounted for roughly 43% of total measured CH4 emissions in Lloydminster, 9% in Kindersley, and 0% in Swift Current.
Abstract: The oil and gas industry is Canada’s largest contributor to national methane (CH4) emissions. To quantify the input of active and inactive (suspended and abandoned) oil and gas infrastructure to regional CH4 budgets, we conducted truck-based measurements (transect-based and OTM 33A) with a greenhouse gas analyzer, complimented with optical gas imaging at oil-producing sites of Saskatchewan, including understudied regions. We found that inactive sites regionally accounted for roughly 43% of total measured CH4 emissions in Lloydminster, 9% in Kindersley, and 0% in Swift Current. Thus, CH4 emissions from oil production in southwestern Saskatchewan are underestimated by almost 25% if emissions from inactive sites are ignored. Measured mean CH4 emissions of actively producing oil and gas infrastructure in Lloydminster were at least 50% lower (36 ± 7 m3/day) than found in previous studies potentially due to declines in production schemes, effective implementation of emission reduction approaches, or spatial differences between sampled sites. Unlike previous studies, measured emissions in Lloydminster were lower than reported values (147 ± 10 m3/day). In contrast, measured emissions in Kindersley (64 ± 17 m3/day) and Swift Current (23 ± 16 m3/day) were close to reported emissions despite observed tank vents and unlit flares. Unlit flares emitted at least 3 times more CH4 than other infrastructure types and were the “super-emitters” in this study. Currently, provincial and federal regulations target only active infrastructure, but regulators may consider extending regulations to inactive sites where data suggest significant emission reduction potential.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors combined high-resolution, high-sensitivity aerial survey data with subsequent on-site investigations of detected sources to examine the sources driving emissions and the effectiveness of regulations in achieving intended outcomes.
Abstract: Success in reducing oil and gas sector methane emissions is contingent on understanding the sources driving emissions, associated options for mitigation, and the effectiveness of regulations in achieving intended outcomes. This study combines high-resolution, high-sensitivity aerial survey data with subsequent on-site investigations of detected sources to examine these points. Measurements were performed in British Columbia, Canada, an active oil- and gas-producing province with modern methane regulations featuring mandatory three times per year leak detection and repair (LDAR) surveys at most facilities. Derived emission factors enabled by source attribution show that significant methane emissions persist under this regulatory framework, dominated by (i) combustion slip (compressor exhaust and also catalytic heaters, which are not covered in current regulations), (ii) intentional venting (uncontrolled tanks, vent stacks or intentionally unlit flares, and uncontrolled compressors), and (iii) unintentional venting (controlled tanks, unintentionally unlit/blown out flares, and abnormally operating pneumatics). Although the detailed analysis shows mitigation options exist for all sources, the importance of combustion slip and the persistently large methane contributions from controlled tanks and unlit flares demonstrate the limits of current LDAR programs and the critical need for additional monitoring and verification if regulations are to have the intended impacts, and reduction targets of 75% and greater are to be met.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors measured methane venting from single-well cold heavy oil production with or without sand, CHOP(S) facilities in Saskatchewan, Canada using airborne Gas Mapping LiDAR (GML) at 962 sites and on-site using an optical mass flux meter (VentX), ultrasonic flow meter, and QOGI camera at 11 sites.
Abstract: Cold Heavy Oil Production with or without Sand, CHOP(S), facilities produce a significant portion of Canada’s conventional oil. Methane venting from single-well CHOPS facilities in Saskatchewan, Canada was measured (i) using Bridger Photonics’ airborne Gas Mapping LiDAR (GML) at 962 sites and (ii) on-site using an optical mass flux meter (VentX), ultrasonic flow meter, and QOGI camera at 11 sites. The strong correlation between ground measurements and airborne GML supported subsequent detailed analysis of the aerial data and to our knowledge is the first study to directly test the ability of airplane surveys to accurately reproduce mean emission rates of unsteady sources. Actual methane venting was found to be nearly four times greater than the industry-reported levels used in emission inventories, with ∼80% of all emissions attributed to casing gas venting. Further analysis of site-total emissions revealed potential gaps in regulations, with 14% of sites appearing to exceed regulated limits while accounting for 61% of measured methane emissions. Finally, the concept of marginal wells was adapted to consider the inferred cost of methane emissions under current carbon pricing. Results suggest that almost a third of all methane is emitted from environmentally marginal wells, where the inferred methane cost negates the value of the oil produced. Overall, the present results illustrate the importance of independent monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) to ensure accuracy in reporting and regulatory compliance, and to ensure mitigation targets are not foiled by a collection of disproportionately high-emitting sites.
2 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this article, an account is given of a theory of atmospheric diffusion developed at Porton during the years 1932-38 in connexion with the problems of chemical warfare, and it is shown that the theory leads to formulae of the correct functional form but these only give results of a correct absolute magnitude when “extreme” values are admitted for the gustiness factors.
Abstract: An account is given of a theory of atmospheric diffusion developed at Porton during the years 1932–38 in connexion with the problems of chemical warfare. It is shown that the theory leads to formulae of the correct functional form but these only give results of the correct absolute magnitude when “extreme” values are admitted for the gustiness factors.
With this proviso, the expressions developed are reliable for the calculation of atmospheric diffusion in the absence of very large gradients of temperature and provided that observations on the wind gradient are made above the layer in which the effects of surface roughness predominate. It is also shown that observations on the rate of evaporation from very small areas are not necessarily a reliable indication of the rate of removal of vapour from large areas, such as reservoirs and lakes.
164 citations
TL;DR: Results suggest that reported venting emissions in Alberta should be 2.5 ± 0.5 times higher, and total methane emissions from the upstream oil and gas sector (excluding mined oil sands) are likely at least 25-50% greater than current government estimates.
Abstract: Airborne measurements of methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure were completed over two regions of Alberta, Canada. These top-down measurements were directly compared with region-specific bottom-up inventories that utilized current industry-reported flaring and venting volumes (reported data) and quantitative estimates of unreported venting and fugitive sources. For the 50 × 50 km measurement region near Red Deer, characterized by natural gas and light oil production, measured methane fluxes were more than 17 times greater than that derived from directly reported data but consistent with our region-specific bottom-up inventory-based estimate. For the 60 × 60 km measurement region near Lloydminster, characterized by significant cold heavy oil production with sand (CHOPS), airborne measured methane fluxes were five times greater than directly reported emissions from venting and flaring and four times greater than our region-specific bottom up inventory-based estimate. Extended across Alberta, our...
83 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the levels of biodegradation in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) can be attributed to decreasing reservoir temperature, which played the primary role in controlling the biodegrading regime.
67 citations
TL;DR: Qualitative and quantitative results suggest that more experienced operators better adjust their survey speed to site conditions, examine components from multiple viewpoints, and make other adjustments that improve their leak detection rate, indicating that adjustments to company survey protocols and targeted training could improve leak detection rates overall.
Abstract: Optical gas imaging (OGI) is a commonly utilized leak detection method in the upstream and midstream sectors of the U.S. natural gas industry. This study characterized the detection efficacy of OGI surveyors, using their own cameras and protocols, with controlled releases in an 8-acre outdoor facility that closely resembles upstream natural gas field operations. Professional surveyors from 16 oil and gas companies and 8 regulatory agencies participated, completing 488 tests over a 10 month period. Detection rates were significantly lower than prior studies focused on camera performance. The leak size required to achieve a 90% probability-of-detection in this study is an order-of-magnitude larger than prior studies. Study results indicate that OGI survey experience significantly impacts leak detection rate: Surveyors from operators/contractors who had surveyed more than 551 sites prior to testing detected 1.7 (1.5-1.8) times more leaks than surveyors who had completed fewer surveys. Highly experienced surveyors adjust their survey speed, examine components from multiple viewpoints, and make other adjustments that improve their leak detection rate, indicating that modifications of survey protocols and targeted training could improve leak detection rates overall.
51 citations
TL;DR: Overall, the data suggest that quite significant reductions in flaring and venting could be realized by seeking mitigation solutions for only the largest batteries in the Province, which has important implications for flaringand venting mitigation throughout the world.
Abstract: Alberta, Canada, is an important global producer of petroleum resources. In association with this production, large amounts of gas (1.14 billion m3 in 2008) are flared or vented. Although the amount of flaring and venting has been measurably reduced since 2002, data from 2005 reveal sharp increases in venting, which have important implications in terms of resource conservation and greenhouse gas emissions (which exceeded 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2008). With use of extensive monthly production data for 18,203 active batteries spanning the years 2002–2008 obtained in close cooperation with the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board, a detailed analysis has been completed to examine activity patterns of flaring and venting and reasons behind these trends in the Alberta upstream oil and gas industry. In any given year, ∼6000 batteries reported flaring and/or venting, but the distribution of volumes flared and vented at individual sites was highly skewed, such that small n...
50 citations