ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2013
page 22
6.8 Offshore Fuel Gas Used and Flared
Gas is taken from the production process to fuel various processes on offshore installations, including
power generation, compression, pumping and water re-injection. In 2012, 3.48 million tonnes of gas was
used for fuel. Flaring from offshore installations and terminals is an operating feature used to maintain
process safety (that is the evacuation of excess gas) and for operation of production equipment. In 2012,
1.13 million tonnes of gas was flared.
Figure 11: Comparison of Offshore Fuel Gas Used and Flared on the UKCS
6.9 Waste Generated Offshore
The amount of waste returned to shore for treatment and disposal peaked in 2002 at around 194,000 tonnes
in total. Between 2004 and 2010, the amount of waste being brought onshore each year remained relatively
stable at 130,000. However, wastes increased to 158,580 tonnes in 2011 and 189,060 tonnes in 2012
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.
Figure 12: Waste Generated by Type
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Tonnes
Source: EEMS August 2013
Cuttings
Special
General
Other
0
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Tonnes
Flare Gas Fuel Gas
Source: EEMS August 2013
17
The waste categories are explained in the glossary on page 29
