Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) recognises the need to operate in a sustainable manner and the benefits that come with such operations.
Climate change is a phenomenon that cannot be ignored and is gradually getting the global attention it deserves. Major Oil and Gas operators around the world are steadily transitioning into sustainable operations and one of their major goals is to reduce methane emissions that have a significant impact on climate change. Through the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, many of the Major Oil & Gas operators have committed to taking action on methane emissions.
This includes a target set by the OGCI members in September 2018 to reduce methane emissions by a fifth by 2025. While most of the climate change operations are related to reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, Methane in fact has a far higher Global Warming Potential than CO2; a metric ton of methane will absorb thirty-four times more thermal energy than a metric ton of Carbon Dioxide over a 100-year period. It has been estimated that Methane emissions cost the Oil and Gas industry approximately USD 30 billion per year.
SNOC is one of the frontrunners in the MENA region to attend to this global transition and through its strategic partnership with Asset Integrity Engineering (AIE) has embarked on an integrated process to support the achievement of this goal. AIE developed an inhouse Methane Emissions Detection and Reduction service which harnesses their in-depth plant knowledge and experience whilst complying with the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) technical guidance documents.
AIE initiated their innovative and efficient service with SNOC. The assessment commenced with a comprehensive review of the processes and equipment in the Sajaa asset. SNOC’s facility was then screened for the 9 core methane emissions sources against criteria defined within OGMP technical guidance documents.
The study included estimated methane emission rates from the core sources and the associated monetary losses in order to evaluate potential financial benefits of cutting emissions. Locations where further improvements could be made to mitigate methane emissions were identified in this study, not only to lower monetary losses, but to improve HSE compliance as well.
Another element of the study implemented for SNOC included risk assessment of fugitive methane emissions from the different facility systems. This risk assessment supports in directing the focus of onsite monitoring using Optical Gas imaging (OGI) cameras and other emission measurement techniques to high-risk areas.
A site OGI monitoring campaign was implemented at the Sajaa asset at the high-risk areas, and the findings were in-line with the predictions from the risk assessment.
Moving forward, the program will ensure continuous monitoring of methane emissions, reporting of compliance and identification of improvements throughout the life of the asset. The early signs from the study are promising.
AIE Managing Director, Neil Flemming stated, “Our integrated methane reduction services were developed to deliver a best practice and holistic solution for our clients across different sectors and geographical regions. We look forward to continuing and build our long-term partnership with SNOC, in a common vision for a more sustainable future. Our Veracity EMS software, recently launched, will support clients looking to implement, achieve and demonstrate sustainable operations across the complete life cycle of their business”.
AIE delivers a range of innovative sustainability services and software solutions to the Oil and Gas, Power Generation and Mining industries. Contact our team today to know more.