Waste gas management at onshore oil and gas sites: framework for technique selection - summary
Published 4 April 2019
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-gas-management-at-onshore-oil-and-gas-sites-framework-for-technique-selection/waste-gas-management-at-onshore-oil-and-gas-sites-framework-for-technique-selection-summary
1. Chief Scientist’s Group research summary
This project assessed the different methods available for managing waste gas at onshore oil and gas sites. It also developed an approach for determining which of the available technologies should be considered the best option at an individual onshore oil and gas facility.
This approach can be used by the Environment Agency and operators of onshore oil and gas facilities to enable structured, auditable and transparent decision-making on what might be the Best Available Techniques for their specific sites. This will help to support consistent and justifiable decisions on what techniques for waste gas management at onshore oil and gas facilities provide the best outcome for the environment.
1.1 Background
The UK has been a major producer of offshore oil and gas for many years. There is also a smaller onshore production industry. The potential for the exploitation of oil and gas reserves from shale rocks has led to an increase in exploration in England and this may result in new onshore production fields.
The operation of onshore oil and gas sites generally results in the production of gas (mostly methane) that may be considered a waste. This gas needs to be managed to minimise any impact on the environment. However, there is no Best Available Techniques guidance on managing waste gas in the onshore oil and gas sector. To address this gap, and in the context of a potentially expanding sector in England, potential waste management technologies were reviewed to determine which could be considered Best Available Techniques and how this should be assessed.
1.2 Method
The approach taken was:
1. Scoping of activities that may generate waste gas
The starting point was to identify the different types of onshore oil and gas facilities. The different stages of operation and the activities that take place within these stages were then considered. The purpose of this was to:
- identify the main potential sources of waste gas
- assess how much gas there might be and for how long this might be produced
2. Long list of technologies
A comprehensive list of technologies, with their applications and limitations, was produced. This included technologies being employed in the USA and Canada.
3. Screening and short listing of technologies
The long list of technologies was screened to identify those considered unlikely to be the best available in England and to give a short list of technologies for more detailed assessment.
4. Best Available Techniques assessment
An assessment approach was developed in 2 parts: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative approach uses a cost–benefit analysis that includes the monetised environmental impact of local pollutants and greenhouse gases (mainly methane). Where the environmental impact cannot be quantified (for example, for issues such as noise), the impacts of different options are ranked using a qualitative approach originally developed by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
5. Case studies
The quantitative assessment approach was applied to 2 hypothetical, but realistic, situations involving waste gas. These case studies illustrate the approach and provide information on which technologies are likely to provide the best environmental outcome.
1.3 Findings
There are many variables that can affect technology choice at individual onshore oil and gas sites, including operational conditions and the phase of operation. However, the following technologies can generally be considered as the Best Available Techniques for the effective management of waste gas:
- flaring of gas with an enclosed ground flare system
- fuel gas for power generation either for onsite use or for export to the grid
- heat recovery from power generation (for example via combined heat and power systems)
- export of compressed gas to the National Transmission System
1.4 Publishing details
This summary relates to information from project SC170013, reported in detail in the following output:
Report:
SC170013/R
Title:
Waste gas management at onshore oil and gas sites: framework for technique selection
April 2019
Research contractor:
Costain,
Aviator Way,
Manchester,
M22 5TG.
Tel: 0161 910 3444
This project was funded by the Environment Agency’s Research, Analysis and Evaluation group, which provides scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to enable us to protect and manage the environment as effectively as possible.
Enquiries: research@environment-agency.gov.uk
© Environment Agency