This paper aims to share the journey of carbon footprint reduction in exploration and production (E&P) by reducing carbon emissions on operated assets through the implementation of a real-time tool for monitoring greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and energy efficiency. The objectives are to improve process efficiencies and to track and aid the reduction of total emissions.
The solution was designed to monitor GHG key sources using available real-time data within facilities. It starts by tracking emissions coming from energy usage through fuel gas combustion and then addresses emissions resulting from energy loss, such as flaring and venting. The tool has been successfully deployed across 34 operated sites, allowing the tracking of approximately 85% of Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions within the E&P operated assets’ perimeter.
The implemented solution follows a highly standardized and scalable approach. A model is built once and then applied to hundreds of pieces of equipment and assets. Once deployed, the model continuously provides real-time data derived from calculations, analyses, and key performance indicator. These products increase operational efficiency and help the decision-making process regarding emissions reduction. Additionally, transparency and traceability are ensured by granting users access to all data and calculations.
The tool uses different inputs such as fluid composition, process design data, and operating parameters. It delivers a comprehensive overview of emissions and performance, ranging from individual equipment to site and country levels. The solution also facilitates the benchmarking of the carbon footprint in different systems and identifies corrective and mitigative actions for both design and operational philosophy. Furthermore, it allows the establishment of a relationship between GHG and energy efficiency based on potential optimization to be performed on significant energy users.
Headquarters and operating centers consistently rely on the solution’s displays, which present performance indicators used for daily discussions and in operational decision-making. This solution enables operators to identify poorly performing equipment and capture undesired process deviations as well as meter inaccuracies that contribute to GHG emissions. As a result, these indicators improve operational excellence and revenues while minimizing the environmental impact of activities.
The paper discusses the implementation process and highlights the capabilities of the digital tool and demonstrates its value through use cases where a positive effect in reduced GHG emissions and improved energy efficiency was measured.