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hat are “gas emissions” and why are we so worried about them?
Natural gas venting, or more accurately methane venting, is the intentional and controlled release of gases containing alkane hydrocarbons, primarily methane, into the Earth's atmosphere. This is a widely used method of dealing with unwanted gases, which are produced during the extraction of coal and crude oil. When these gases have no value and cannot be recovered, or have no export path to consumer markets, they are emitted. Although individual emissions are small and dispersed, and often considered “safe”, their contribution to climate change is significant.
Large, concentrated releases are usually controlled by burning off gas emissions to produce relatively small amounts of harmful carbon dioxide.
In the oil and gas industry, gas emissions have become a topic of great concern. In Canada in particular, the amount of methane emitted accounts for a significant portion of the industry. According to the 2023 report, even with the implementation of the Fuel Gas Recovery System (FGRS), there are still many unnecessary emissions that are not effectively controlled. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2019 showed that total methane emissions from oil extraction activities reached 37 million tons, which came not only from intentional emissions but also from residual fugitive emissions.
With the oil and gas industry now on track to meet targets to reduce methane emissions, the report highlights that improved equipment and maintenance strategies can significantly reduce emissions.
Concerns about natural gas emissions extend beyond short-term effects to long-term climate impacts. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a significantly greater warming effect than carbon dioxide. Although methane concentrations are currently only a fraction of those of carbon dioxide, its long-term effects in the atmosphere will accumulate over time and lead to more serious environmental challenges.
Many countries have recognised this and are actively developing policies to reduce these emissions. For example, Canada's federal environment minister proposed a policy framework at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference to reduce methane emissions, which will not only help raise environmental awareness but also influence the industry's future operating model.
The policies mark the government's efforts to tackle environmental issues, particularly the 28% emissions rate caused by the oil and gas industry.
In the coal mining industry, methane-rich gas in coal seams is also continuously released during the mining process. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, by 2020, total methane emissions from coal mines around the world will exceed 35 million tons. As a major contributor, China is responsible for half of the world's coal mine methane emissions and faces enormous environmental pressure.
In addition, accidental gas leaks during the production, storage and transportation of oil and natural gas also cause additional environmental impacts. As the global focus on reducing methane emissions increases, more and more technologies and equipment are being developed with the goal of minimizing these unnecessary emissions.
Today, the success of reshaping oil and gas operations increasingly depends on society's awakening to climate change awareness and changes in action.
How do we balance the need for these energies with their environmental impacts? Can the joint efforts of society and policymakers effectively reduce natural gas emissions and bring improvements to the environment in the future?
