Environment Report 2019

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2019

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Hydrocarbon production increased by almost 20 per cent between 2014–18, and over the same period CO 2 emissions saw a 4.7 per cent increase. Last year saw a decrease in CO 2 emissions on the UKCS from 14.2 million tonnes in 2017, to 13.2 million tonnes in 2018. The main driver of this decrease, as outlined above, was reduced flaring.

Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of production on the UKCS (CO 2

intensity) continues on a downward trend from

a peak in 2013, as shown in Figure 7. In 2018, the carbon intensity reached 21,338 tonnes of CO 2

per million boe,

down from 23,016 tonnes per million boe the previous year.

Offshore installations are not connected to the national grid for power supply. Power is generated offshore to run pumps, equipment used in production processes, for electricity used for cooking, lighting and heat, as well as for compression equipment so that oil and gas can be transported onshore. CO 2 is released during power generation, and 74 per cent of CO 2 emissions (9.7 million tonnes) in 2018 were generated from fuel consumed by combustion equipment to provide electrical power and drive compressors for gas export. As shown in Figure 8, CO 2 is also emitted during flaring and venting offshore, which are necessary for maintenance, well testing and, crucially, for the safety of offshore workers. Less energy was required per unit of production in 2018. The high proportion of emissions from power generation has been identified as a key area of focus in reducing offshore CO 2 emissions. Some incremental improvements have been seen by changes to the operations of turbines and deployment of new technology. OGUK is working with members to share these lessons across industry.

Figure 7: Carbon Dioxide Intensity Versus Production

2,000

30,000

Gas Production Oil Production CO₂ intensity

1,800

25,000

1,600

1,400

20,000

1,200

1,000

15,000

800

Production (Million boe)

10,000

600

Carbon Intensity (Tonnes/Million boe)

400

5,000

200

0

0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Source: EEMS May 2019; OGA

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