Environment Report 2018

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2018

Associated Gas Associated gas is produced along with other hydrocarbons in parts of the UKCS, predominantly as a by-product of oil production. Where possible, associated gas is either used offshore for power generation or exported to nearby installations or to shore. Figure 12 compares the associated gas produced with the amount subsequently flared and vented. For offshore installations, flaring is an important safety feature used to: burn gas that cannot be recovered; prevent over-pressurising; and to rapidly remove the gas inventory during an emergency. It is primarily carried out on oil-producing installations. Flaring is likely to be planned for during start-up or shutdown of an installation, but also occurs during unplanned events. Gas venting, similar to gas flaring, releases natural gas associated with production directly to the atmosphere, but without ignition. Venting is largely used as a safety mechanism to release gas pressure when a safe level may have been exceeded. While the amount of flaring and venting of associated gas increased in 2017, the ratio of associated gas flared or vented versus associated gas production continued to fall, having plateaued during 2013 and 2014. In 2017, 5 per cent of associated gas was flared or vented. This highlights the improvedmethods and technologies operators are developing for use on newer installations that minimise flaring and venting where practicable.

Figure 12: Associated Gas Production versus Flaring and Venting

Associated Gas Production Associated Gas Vented

Associated Gas Flared

% of Associated Gas Flared/Vented

250

8%

7%

200

6%

5%

150

4%

100

3%

2%

Associated Gas (Million boe)

50

Associated Gas Fared/Vented (%)

1%

0%

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Source: EEMS October 2018

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