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    Why are we still flaring gas?

    enAugust 29, 2024
    Catalyst with Shayle Kann
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    Podcast Summary

    • Natural gas flaring types: Two types of natural gas flaring exist: routine when there's no market for the gas and non-routine during incidents, both contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and wasted resources, but flaring is preferred due to safety concerns.

      Natural gas flaring, the process of burning natural gas that is a byproduct of oil production, continues to be a significant issue despite natural gas being the second largest volume traded commodity in the world. The primary reason for flaring is due to the lack of infrastructure to transport or export the natural gas. Tomas de Oliveira Bredereal, an Energy and Environmental Analyst at the International Energy Agency, explained that there are two types of flaring: routine and non-routine. Routine flaring occurs when natural gas is produced but there is no market for it, while non-routine flaring happens during plant upsets or incidents that require a safe disposal method for the gas. The environmental and safety concerns associated with venting the gas make flaring a preferred option, but it still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and wasted resources. Kraken Technology and ANSA are among the companies working to optimize energy usage and reduce the need for flaring through innovative solutions.

    • Natural gas flaring: Approximately 150 billion cubic meters of natural gas were flared last year, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, and despite pledges to eliminate routine flaring by 2030, progress has been slow.

      Natural gas flaring, the process of burning off excess natural gas during oil production, is a significant issue with economic and environmental consequences. Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and flaring transforms methane into CO2, increasing overall emissions. The economic incentives for operators to collect and utilize natural gas instead of flaring it vary, often due to the short production span and lower prices for natural gas compared to oil. Approximately 150 billion cubic meters of natural gas were flared last year, surpassing the production of Norway, the world's largest natural gas producer. Despite numerous pledges to eliminate routine flaring by 2030, progress has been slow. This issue not only wastes energy but also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

    • Flaring emissions: Flaring of natural gas results in approximately 500 million tons of CO2 equivalent global emissions, primarily from inefficient combustion processes and extended periods in suboptimal conditions. Top nine countries account for 75% of these emissions.

      Flaring of natural gas leads to significant greenhouse gas emissions, specifically methane and CO2, with an estimated 500 million tons of CO2 equivalent globally. This is due to inefficient combustion processes and extended periods of flaring in suboptimal conditions. The top nine countries responsible for 75% of global flaring volumes are Russia, Iran, Iraq, the United States, Venezuela, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, and Mexico. While some countries have set goals to reduce routine flaring, alternatives such as building pipelines or using flare gas recovery systems have trade-offs and may not always be the best solution due to costs and feasibility. The United States, despite being a large producer, has relatively good flaring performance compared to other countries. The economic value of captured methane could be significant, making it essential to explore and implement effective solutions to minimize flaring and reduce emissions.

    • Natural Gas in Oil and Gas Industry: Pipelines and on-site natural gas use can reduce emissions in the oil and gas industry by making transportation and production more efficient and economical, but challenges such as gas quality and processing are to be addressed.

      Pipelines and on-site use of natural gas are key solutions for reducing emissions in the oil and gas industry. Pipelines can connect stranded infrastructure to demand centers, making the transportation of natural gas more efficient and reducing the need for diesel-powered generation. On-site use of natural gas can also replace diesel generation and provide power for oil fields, making production more efficient and economical. However, there are challenges to implementing these solutions, such as the quality of natural gas and the need for processing and purification. Despite these challenges, there is significant potential for pipelines and on-site natural gas use to make a significant impact on reducing emissions in the oil and gas industry. Additionally, advancements in technology and software, such as Kraken's operating system for energy and ANSA's data and software platform, can help optimize the use of renewable energy and natural gas, making these solutions even more viable and effective.

    • Natural Gas Flaring Solutions: Reducing natural gas flaring through producing compressed/liquefied gas, methanol production, or powering remote operations is economically viable but depends on factors like reservoir characteristics, project stage, and infrastructure availability. Incentives or regulations may be needed to prioritize these options.

      Reducing the harmful practice of flaring natural gas and putting it to productive use is an economically viable solution for many oil and gas operators, but the decision to do so depends on various factors such as reservoir characteristics, project stage, and availability of infrastructure. Three alternatives for utilizing otherwise flared natural gas are producing compressed or liquefied natural gas, turning it into another useful fuel like methanol, or using it to power remote operations such as data centers or Bitcoin mines. While each option has its trade-offs, they offer possibilities for reducing flaring and minimizing the environmental impact of oil and gas production. Operators may need a shove in the form of incentives or regulations to prioritize these alternatives over other investment opportunities.

    • Flaring reduction methods: Factors such as scale, infrastructure availability, and specific challenges determine the choice between mini-CNG, mini-LNG, and GTL for reducing or eliminating natural gas flaring. Improving measurement, monitoring, and combustion efficiency are short-term solutions. Larger operators generally have less flaring, but economics of dealing with small flares can be challenging.

      The choice between different methods for reducing or eliminating flaring of natural gas depends on various factors, including the scale of the operation, the availability of infrastructure, and the specific challenges being faced. Mini-CNG and mini-LNG are more suitable for larger volumes, while GTL is a more expensive option best used in specific cases with clear demand. Improving measurement and monitoring, as well as increasing combustion efficiency, are important for managing flaring in the short term. Larger operators, with easier access to capital and infrastructure, tend to have less flaring, but this is not always the case. The distribution of flares shows that most volumes are in middle-sized flares, and the economics of dealing with small flares can be more challenging.

    • Regulations and industry cooperation: Effective regulations and industry cooperation are vital for reducing flaring and capturing methane emissions. Progress can be seen in countries like Norway and Nigeria, but addressing infrastructure barriers, financing, and information dissemination is necessary to continue making strides.

      Effective regulations and industry cooperation are crucial in reducing flaring and capturing methane emissions. While some locations may present unique challenges, examples like Norway and Nigeria demonstrate significant progress through a combination of regulations, fiscal incentives, and infrastructure development. However, addressing infrastructure barriers, financing, and information dissemination to operators remains essential to continue reducing flaring and maximizing methane capture. Tomas de Oliveira Brederel, an energy environmental policy analyst at the IEA, emphasized the importance of these efforts to minimize flaring and promote sustainable energy practices.

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