Significant strides in methane reduction

In the oil and gas industry, midstream assets are significant sources of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Detecting and mitigating these emissions is essential for regulatory compliance and environmental protection. Methane emissions present a significant challenge in the fight against climate change as detecting methane leaks is fraught with difficulties. This article explores the key factors that complicate methane detection, its economic and environmental impacts, and the efforts needed to address this pressing issue.

Challenges in detecting methane leaks

Methane detection is challenging for several reasons. Unlike CO₂, methane is both colourless and odourless, making it difficult to identify without specialised equipment. Methane leaks can occur at multiple points along the oil and gas value chain, from extraction to storage, complicating detection efforts.

In the midstream sector, methane emissions can occur through leaks, venting, and equipment malfunctions. The vast and often remote nature of these assets makes it challenging to monitor and control emissions effectively. Traditional methods of methane detection, such as manual inspections and fixed-point sensors, are often labour-intensive, costly, and limited in their ability to provide comprehensive coverage.

Many oil and gas infrastructures are situated in remote areas, making regular monitoring and leak detection difficult. Methane molecules are tiny and easily disperse, complicating detection in low concentrations or windy conditions. Existing detection technologies also have their drawbacks. For instance, other technologies only provide ongoing binary data or alerts, without the ability to quantify and make actionable insight for decision makers, making it difficult to quantify total methane emissions over time.

Undetected and unmonitored methane emissions cost the energy sector an estimated US$60 billion annually. Combined with the exposure to increasing regulatory taxation in the US and Europe, this price tag is further compounded. A 2018 study found a methane leakage rate of 2.3% from oil and gas operations. Capturing and selling this methane could increase natural gas producers’ revenues by an estimated US$188 million/y. Pipeline leaks play a crucial role in this. According to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), only 7% of nearly 500 000 miles of oil and gas pipelines in the US are subject to leak inspections. They estimate that there are between 1.25 - 2.6 million tpy of methane being emitted from pipelines.

Undetected emissions pose a significant challenge due to the unknown quantities. In the US alone, with over 3 million miles of pipelines, less than 10% of gathering and transmission pipelines undergo regular leak inspections. This results in methane leaks estimated to be 60% higher than official EPA figures. Approximately 630 000 leaks in US natural gas distribution pipelines emit methane, leading to significant financial losses and global warming. The lack of accurate data hampers efforts by industry stakeholders, governments, international bodies, and financial institutions to address these emissions effectively. In the US, a major pipeline gas leak is reported every 40 hours, three times a week. Studies estimate that leaks occur every 1.2 - 3.8 miles of pipeline, a conservative figure. With an extensive network of pipelines, transporting natural gas through infrastructure that averages 40 - 50 years old, monitoring and maintenance are critical. This issue is not confined to the US; natural gas pipelines around the world are very old and under maintained, exacerbating the problem. Satellites can play a crucial role in detecting emissions, especially along expansive and remote pipeline systems that are challenging to monitor in real time.

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Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/19112024/significant-strides-in-methane-reduction/