Environment Report 2013

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2013

6.7 Offshore Emissions of Methane and Volatile Organic Compounds Methane (CH 4 ) is the principal component of natural gas and is released through incomplete combustion, cold venting and during the loading of crude oil. Methane emissions have decreased from 53,810 tonnes in 2011 to 47,984 tonnes in 2012. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) form the remaining components of natural gas and arise from combustion and during the loading and offloading of crude oil tankers. Offshore emissions of VOCs have shown a significant decrease from 2000 and 2001 levels of 80,076-86,742 tonnes to 53,939 tonnes in 2012.

Figure 10: Offshore Emissions of Methane and Volatile Organic Compounds on the UKCS

CH₄ Emissions

VOC Emissions

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000

Tonnes

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Source: EEMS August 2013

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