BY ISRA ABBASI
AMIDST the global urgency to combat climate change, Malaysia stands at the crossroads. The question looms: Is achieving zero-tolerance towards methane emissions a realistic goal for the nation?
Methane, a gas you can’t see or smell, is a major contributor to global warming. It’s responsible for nearly half of the one-degree increase in Earth’s average temperature since the industrial age began.
Cutting down methane emissions is seen as the most effective strategy to reduce warming shortly, with major sources being the oil and gas industry, palm oil, and agriculture industries within Malaysia.
Delivering the keynote speech at the Energy Asia 2023 conference on June 26, Prime Minister Anwar said Malaysia recognised the importance of managing methane emissions and had committed to joining the global pledge to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, compared to 2020 levels.
Recognising this, Petronas, Malaysia’s state-owned oil and gas company has announced ambitious targets to reduce methane emissions by 50 percent by 2025 from 2019 levels, and achieve a 2030 target of 70 percent methane emissions reduction for Petronas’ natural gas value chain group wide.
As the world shifts to a lower-carbon economy, and public awareness on climate issues grows, eliminating methane emissions becomes vital. Ensuring accuracy and transparency in how we measure, report, and reduce emissions is critical.
To effectively tackle this challenge, particularly in the oil and gas industries, there are three primary areas of focus:
Zero-routine venting and flaring: The best initiative
Venting and flaring during oil and gas production are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Venting, where methane in its original form is intentionally released into the atmosphere is the most damaging act to the environment.
Flaring, while not ideal, it offers a less damaging alternative as compared to venting. Instead of releasing methane to the environment in its original form, its combusted through flaring, transforming it into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O), significantly reducing its environmental impact since CO2 is less potent as a greenhouse gas than methane.
However, even flaring isn’t perfect. Inefficient flare systems can still allow some methane to escape unburned, negating the environmental benefit. Therefore, both eliminating routine venting and routine flaring are crucial steps in reducing the oil and gas industry’s impact on climate change.
While zero routine flaring is a worthy goal, it will take time to achieve. In the shorter term, it’s crucial that the amount of gas flared is reduced by upgrading equipment and processes to minimise flaring in the first place and optimize existing flares for maximum combustion efficiency through proper maintenance and advanced technologies.
Phasing out or upgrading pneumatic equipment: The second choice
Optimising flaring is vital, but another source that demands attention is pneumatic equipment powered by natural gas. These gas-powered devices leak significant methane, exceeding even flaring and venting according to IEA 2019 reports. To combat this, phasing out pneumatics with cleaner alternatives is key. For application that are still necessary, using compressed air or transitioning to low-bleed models can significantly reduce emissions.
Fugitive Emissions: The third alternative
Fugitive emissions, and unintended leaks from equipment like valves and flanges, represent valuable methane escape to environment. This poses a significant challenge, as our current reliance on annual checks with handheld cameras paints an incomplete and unreliable picture. This approach fails to capture the true extent of leaks and hinders effective rectification.
When it comes to addressing fugitive emissions, there are many methane detection technologies currently available. However, the challenge lies in selecting the one that is “just right” for a particular situation. Each technology has its pros and cons, and each works well in some circumstances but poorly in others.
Experts with a deep understanding of emerging technologies, oil and gas facilities, and local operating conditions can design optimal measurement programs that often combine different types of detection technologies. This tailored approach is essential in effectively identifying and addressing fugitive emissions, ensuring both environmental protection and economic efficiency.
With the tools and technology at hand, reducing methane emissions to near zero is no longer an unachievable goal, but a tangible target within reach. The speed at which we can ultimately eliminate these greenhouse gas emissions will determine our success in achieving a more balanced planet in the fight against climate change.
With Malaysia’s commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it is clear that addressing methane emissions, especially in the oil and gas sector, is vital. Initiatives like Petronas’ ambitious target and efforts to eliminate routine venting and flaring, phase out or upgrade pneumatic equipment, and address fugitive emissions demonstrate a commitment to reducing our methane footprint and creating a cleaner future.
NOTE: The author is a Lead Instrumentation and Control Engineer, with Petronas.
