Environment Report 2018

Other Emissions Methane, a GHG, is estimated to be up to 34 times more potent than CO 2 over 100 years, in terms of its ability to absorb heat and contribute towards global warming. However, it has a shorter life span in the ozone layer. Methane emissions from UKCS operations rose from 40,800 tonnes in 2016 to 43,300 tonnes in 2017 (this is around 1.47 million tonnes CO 2 e, or 9 per cent of the total GHGs emitted by the industry). Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were also up 22 per cent, to just over 38,000 tonnes. NO x and SO 2 emissions also saw increases.

Figure 11: Offshore Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Methane, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Carbon Dioxide

3

100,000

2000

Production Noᵪ Emissions CO Emissions SO₂ Emissions CH₄ Emssions VOC Emissions

90,000

1800

80,000

1600

70,000

1400

60,000

1200

50,000

1000

40,000

800

Production (Million boe)

Emissions (Tonnes)

30,000

600

20,000

400

10,000

200

0

0

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Source: EEMS 2018, OIl & Gas UK

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