Environment Report 2016

Methane and Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions Last year, 41,200 tonnes of CH 4 were emitted, a 30 per cent net reduction since 2000. In 2015, 37,200 tonnes of VOCs were emitted from offshore installations, a net reduction of over 53 per cent since 2000. Values for CH 4 and VOCs in 2015 are consistent with those emitted since 2012.

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Figure 10: Offshore Emissions of Methane and Volatile Organic Compounds

100,000

3

CH₄ Emissions VOC Emissions

90,000

80,000

70,000

4

60,000

50,000

5

40,000

30,000 Emissions (Tonnes)

20,000

6

10,000

0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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Source: EEMS July 2016

CH 4 or natural gas is a potent GHG and so Oil & Gas UK has carried out further analysis to identify the offshore sources of CH 4 emissions, as well as VOCs. Figure 11 shows that the largest sources of VOC emissions in 2015 were gas flaring and venting (66 per cent) and oil loading (28 per cent), while the majority of CH 4 emissions were generated from venting.

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Figure 11: Offshore Emissions Sources of Methane and Volatile Organic Compounds in 2015

Emissions Source Fuel consumption

CH

VOCs

4

7% 4%

3% 3%

Fugitives

Gas flaring Gas venting Oil loading

34% 53%

38% 28% 28%

1%

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