• Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
Addressing Methane Leaks In The Energy Sector
August 9, 2022

While carbon dioxide is the leading greenhouse gas destroying the atmosphere, methane is a significant contributor. Studies show global temperatures last year were 1.1°C higher than preindustrial levels. Anthropogenic methane emissions are believed to account for 30%of that warming.

To reduce said emissions and work toward sustainability, much needs to be done in the energy sector, especially in the area of leaks across the natural gas value chain. Below is a brief look into some emerging technologies and strategies that operations can utilize to address such leaks.

Methane emissions stem from many aspects of life on Earth. It is the result of extensive agricultural and livestock practices, as well as the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills. However, a significant percentage is emitted during the production and transport of natural gas, coal and oil.

Emissions in this field are at times unavoidable, yet the majority (60%) are the result of leaks. Operations can strive to control emissions from equipment leaks by implementing and complying with leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs. An LDAR program is a work practice designed to identify unintended or fugitive emissions from equipment in an oil and gas, chemical, or petrochemical installation so that emissions can be minimized through repairs.

If applied quarterly, studies estimate that LDAR practices could reduce fugitive emissions by roughly two-thirds. In oil and gas operations, this could decrease annual methane emissions by close to 14.5 Mt if comprehensively applied.

LDAR processes can vary greatly based on equipment or application. One method utilizes LiDAR sensors. This innovative gas mapping technology scans oil and gas infrastructures from the air via drones or planes. Its purpose is to accurately pinpoint and measure methane leaks to plan and prioritize repairs more efficiently.

Another method is to modify or replace equipment with “leakless” components. For instance, centrifugal compressors can be retrofitted with wet seals to better capture degassing emissions. This degassing recovery process works to mitigate methane emissions and reduce the demand of fuel gas.

Other typical sources of emissions are pumps and valves. Through upgrades, these components can be made leakless as well. Common examples of seal-less parts include diaphragm pumps, magnetic drive pumps, bellows valves and diaphragm valves. Although application of these may be limited by process operating conditions and materials of construction considerations, such modern components can be effective in minimizing or eliminating leaks.

To comply with industry regulations, components subject to LDAR requirements must be monitored at specified, regular intervals. However, more can be done to minimize leaks and greenhouse gas emissions beyond compliance. It takes initiative on the part of industry and company leaders to invest in the future of energy production as well as the future of our planet.

Provided by Bridger Photonics – gas mapping lidar

For additional approaches on minimizing methane leaks, please see the accompanying

Resources

https://www.iea.org/reports/methane-tracker-2020/methane-abatement-options

https://www.iea.org/fuels-and-technologies/methane-abatement

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190910154706.htm

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c03071

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/capturemethanefromcentrifugalcompressionsealoildegassing.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/ll_rodpack.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/zeroemissionsdehy.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/installelectronicflareignitiondevices.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/insertgasmainflexibleliners.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/installexcessflowvalves.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/connectcasingtovaporrecoveryunit.pdf

https://scholar.colorado.edu/downloads/h702q689j

https://www.epa.gov/natural-gas-star-program/recommended-technologies-reduce-methane-emissions

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/installelectricstarters.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/installelectriccompressors.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/rerouteglycolskimmer.pdf

Share

Energy

John Tarantino
My name is John Tarantino … and no, I am not related to Quinton Tarantino the movie director. I love writing about the environment, traveling, and capturing the world with my Lens as an amateur photographer.

  • Recent Posts

    • 4 Things to Know Before Buying an Electric Car
    • How to Build an Eco-Friendly Home
    • Essential Guide to WEEE Compliance
    • 7 Sustainable Changes for a More Eco-Friendly Business
    • How To Reduce Lagoon Pollution
  • Categories

    • Animals
    • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Environmental Policy
    • Green Food
    • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
    • Green Travel
    • Infographics
    • Other Stories
    • Pollution
    • Recycle
    • Sustainability
    • Toxics
    • Uncategorized
  • Archives

    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2011



Home | About | Advertise With Us | Bike The Netherlands | Current Environmental Issues | Eco Editorial | Contact