The volume of gas flared worldwide is rising, despite concerted efforts to reduce the activi-ty’s contribution to the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. Technological advances could successfully incentivise operators to limit flaring and gain a competitive advantage.

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A recent International Energy Agency (IEA) report, ‘CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion Highlights’ estimates

that the energy sector is responsible for more than 40% of global CO2 emissions. Gas flaring is one of

the primary contributors to industrial emissions from the sector, and while gas is often flared for safety reasons, a large proportion is still

flared as the main method of disposal for facilities that do not have the infrastructure

to capture, transport, and monetise it. Flaring is a completely wasteful process, producing more than 300 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions every year, and a significant

contributor to global warming.

Now or neverIn September 2016, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory

– the primary global site for atmospheric CO2 monitoring –

recorded an atmospheric CO2 concentration of 400 parts per million (ppm), a threshold that was first reached during the

winter of 2013. Iin winter, atmospheric concentrations are usually higher than in the summer months

when plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis.

Despite a higher CO2 concentration in recent winters, during the summer levels have always fallen below 400 ppm again. A reading of 400 ppm last September – the month CO2 levels are at their lowest – suggests the global atmospheric concentra-

tion of CO2 may never again fall below it again. The increasing level of atmospheric CO2 is

causing global temperatures to rise.In a recent interview with Fluenta, GGFR Program

Manager Bjorn Hamso explained one of the tangible impacts gas flaring is having on the environment: “Scientists

Zero Routine Flaring – now is the time to act

INDUSTRY: ENERGY PUBLISHING DATE: MARCH 2017

estimate that 40 percent or more of the black carbon (soot) that is deposited on the Arctic snow and ice cap comes from flaring inside or near the Arctic circle. This accelerates an already deeply trouble-some melting of snow and ice near the north pole.”

A combined effortSupport is growing for initiatives such as the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring (ZRF) to reduce the sector’s routine carbon emissions. Launched in April 2015 with 25 endorsers, the ZRF initiative brings governments, oil companies, and development insti-tutions together to work towards eliminating routine gas flaring by 2030. The initiative now has 62 endorsers. Many governments and regulators are taking the initiative seriously and are increasing the

pressure on companies to accurately measure and report flaring, as well as to implement new ways of reducing flare gas volumes.

It is likely that during the next few years there will be

an increase in new and improved regulations governing flaring, measurement accuracy and gas capture requirements. Signatories to ZRF have committed to publicly reporting flaring volumes on an annual basis, eliminating flaring within existing operations, and ensuring new sites incorporate gas utilisation solutions that avoid routine gas flaring or venting.

A trend reversalDespite the problem gaining more recognition globally, new data

released in December 2016 by the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) shows an increase in global gas flaring over the last five years.

The flaring report is based on satellite data and shows 147 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas was flared globally in 2015. This is an increase from 145 bcm in 2014 and 141 bcm in 2013. The largest flaring country is Russia, which flared 21 bcm of natural gas, followed by Iraq at 16 bcm, Iran at 12 bcm and the United States (US) at 12 bcm.

The GGFR attributes the increase in global flaring volumes to the growth in oil production in Iraq and the US. Flaring in the US has continued to increase despite widespread drives for reduction. The increase in US flaring has been linked to the shale gas revolu-tion, however new statistics from the Energy Information Adminis-tration (EIA) have shown its potential to reduce CO2 emissions. A report issued on 12th October found that CO2 emissions fell to 2,530 million metric tons in the first half of 2016. Levels are projected to fall to 5,179 million metric tons by the end of the year. This level has not been recorded since 1992 and is most likely explained by the impact fracking has had on emissions from burning coal. Coal burning generates significantly more carbon emissions than natural gas, and volumes fell 18% compared to the first six months of 2015. This suggests that a continued focus on reducing routine gas flaring during oil and natural gas production has the potential to achieve significant CO2 reductions for the sector overall.

Gas capture for small sitesNigeria, historically one of the highest flaring countries, has reduced flaring volumes by almost 20 percent since 2013. Nigeria loses an estimated $166,582 million every year to gas flaring, but efforts to

“Scientists estimate that 40 percent or more of the black carbon (soot) that is deposited on the Arctic snow and ice cap comes from flaring inside or near the Arctic circle. This accelerates an already deeply troublesome melting of snow and ice near the north pole.

– Bjorn Hamso, WorldBank

Gas flaring is one of the primary contributors to industrial emissions from the energy sector.

capture natural gas are not only increasing revenues from natural gas sales, but production and sales of associated products such as fertiliser.

If the 147 bcm of gas flared globally every year was captured and used to generate power, it would provide around 750 billion kWh of electricity. To put that into perspective, 750 billion kWh would be enough electricity to power more than the continent of Africa.

It is still a commonly held belief that small-scale gas utilisation is not commercially viable. New gas utilisation methods, however, are becoming increasingly cost-effective. Companies that flare minimal volumes can

also significantly reduce their tax bill through advanced measurement processes. In countries where many smaller flare sites are common, for

example where fracking is popular, local utilisation of flare gas can be a practical way of reducing CO2 emissions from flaring.

The World Bank ‘Flared gas utilisation strategy’ outlines four methods companies can adopt to reduce routine gas flaring in smaller sites. Significantly, these methods do not require significant infrastructure investment.

Suggestions include:

1. Install power generators within the oil production site and use previ-ously flared gas to power them. Power can then be used to run the site and excess transmitted to the existing power grid.

2. Install power generators within the oil production site, which can be used to power a previously non-electrified local rural area.

3. Implement power co-operation schemes with larger companies in the surrounding area. Associated gas can be supplied via short pipelines to larger corporate consumers, such as heat and power plants, as well as other industries.

4. Produce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to be used as fuel in heating appliances, cooking equipment, and vehicles. This can be implemented either as a standalone measure, or in combination with other gas utilisa-tion methods.

Critical accuracyFor small-scale gas capture to work, an operator needs access to reliable and accurate gas measurement data. It enables the whole process to be managed safely and effectively, and helps operators ensure regulatory compliance. With advanced measurement techniques, operators that reduce routine flaring can achieve additional tax savings for the gas they do flare.

An optimised flaring process often enables an operator to capture almost all the gas previously flared. The remaining flare gas – even if only present during plant shutdown or emergency procedures – can be mixed with nitrogen to maintain pressure and velocity in the flare line. Nitrogen does not burn or produce CO2 and operators are not taxed for releasing it. ‘Purging’ with nitrogen is only cost-effective, however, if the operator can identify and report the difference between CO2 and nitrogen. If not, the operator will pay tax on the whole volume of gas released, rather than just the CO2.

Enhanced density monitoringEnhanced density monitoring (EDM) is a flow measurement process that provides automatic subtraction of nitrogen from flared gas volumes. This enables businesses to accurately report CO2 emissions from flare gas while purging nitrogen.

Pre-programmed flow composition scenarios based on predicted flow velocity variations allow the EDM algorithm to differentiate between nitrogen and CO2 to report the difference.The EDM algorithm measures sound velocity to determine if there is a difference between the measured and the expected value. A difference indicates a change in gas composition, suggesting the operator may be flaring an unexpected volume of CO2.

“Many governments and regulators are increasing the pressure on companies to accurately measure and report flaring, as well as to implement new ways of reducing flare gas volumes.

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EDM does not need a stable flow velocity to work, allowing operators to use EDM across all flaring environments, and the automated process means EDM could be used by an operator that only flares gas during emergencies or plant shutdowns. For operators that purge with nitrogen because gas utilisation is in place and flare volumes are low, EDM provides a fast return-on-invest-ment through more accurate emissions reporting and a reduction in taxation.

ConclusionThe speed of environ-mental changes associated with carbon emissions is putting more pressure on

the energy industry to respond. While gas flaring has long been a controversial issue, many operators now see accurate measure-ment and emissions reduction as a strategic metric. The introduction of new technologies to help operators capture gas economically, even on smaller sites, means operators have access to the tools they need to maximise the value of the natural resources they produce. Many operators are beginning to see that capturing previously flared gas can be profitable if the process is managed effectively. Emerging technologies such as EDM have the potential to help operators manage carbon tax obligations more effectively, while at the same time significantly reducing the sector’s impact on the environment.

This article was first published in Flow Control Magazine in March 2017.

With high quality measurement devices that support EDM, operators can achieve tax savings across all flaring environments.