Environment Report 2019

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2019

Methane Emissions Methane, a GHG, is estimated to be up to 28 times more potent than CO 2 over 100 years in terms of its ability to absorb heat and contribute to towards global warming. 4 However, it has a shorter life span in the atmosphere. Methane emissions from UKCS operations rose from 42,700 tonnes in 2017 to 43,500 tonnes in 2018 (this is around 1.22 million tonnes CO 2 e, or 8 per cent of the total GHGs emitted by the industry). As can be seen from Figure 11, the methane intensity per unit of production also follows a decreasing trend since 2013, with a slight increase in 2018.

Figure 11: Methane Intensity Versus Production

250

2,000

Gas Production Oil Production CH₄ Intensity (Gas Production) CH₄ Intensity (Oil and Gas Production)

1,800

200

1,600

1,400

150

1,200

1,000

100

800

Production (Million boe)

600

Methane Intensity (Tonnes/Million boe)

50

400

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

4 Data taken from the Global Warming Potentials for the 100-year time horizon, as detailed in the fifth assessment report.

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