OTC 2022: Decarbonizing Oil and Gas Operations

Today, the oil and gas industry finds itself at the beginning stages of an exceptional growth cycle. It’s at this pivotal moment that the industry stands to improve the lives of billions of people by providing them with access to a reliable energy source. But this cannot be done in a vacuum—the industry must consider the impact of its operations on climate change and take action to decarbonize them. In doing so, the industry can reconcile its role as a provider of a vital energy resource to the current and future energy mix with emissions reduction goals to reduce its impact on climate change.

Committed to net-zero emissions

In 2021, Schlumberger announced its Decarbonization Plan, laying out its commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

Reducing its customers’ operational emissions is a key focus area for its plan. Today, Schlumberger is helping its customers do just that by leveraging its Transition Technologies* portfolio, which includes products and services with a quantifiable emissions reduction impact; consultative business solutions; and digital technologies.

Addressing methane emissions

Methane is an extremely potent GHG. Over a 20-year period, one ton of emitted methane causes as much global warming as 84 tons of emitted carbon dioxide. Historical methane emissions are responsible for 0.5 C of the 1.1 C that our planet has already warmed, and the oil and gas industry is one of the largest sources of methane emissions today.

To help the industry with its methane emission reduction goals, Schlumberger recently launched its Schlumberger End-to-end Emissions Solutions (SEES) business. Based on three pillars—plan, measure, and act—this consultative service is intended to accelerate an operator’s emissions reduction journey.

One of the biggest challenges is finding methane leaks. Today, there are many detection technologies, so selecting the correct one can be a challenge. SEES experts provide a deep understanding of emerging technologies, oil and gas facilities, and local operating conditions and can design optimal measurement programs, often including combinations of different technologies from Schlumberger or its extensive partner network.

Fixing methane leaks

When it comes to fixing methane leaks there are a wide range of solutions. One key challenge is leaky valves. To resolve this, Schlumberger offers a large selection of Low-Emissions (Low-E) valves. These Transition Technologies cover a wide range of conventional and new valve applications and are certified to industry fugitive emissions design standards API 624 and 621 and ISO 15848-1.

Another challenge is inherent methane leaks from pneumatic equipment on production technologies, including separators. Transition Technologies like Schlumberger’s Vx Spectra* surface multiphase flowmeter can eliminate the need for a separator, thus eliminating methane emissions from their pneumatic components.

Reducing or eliminating flare emissions

Flaring is one of the most visible emissions sources in our industry, and their elimination is a key focus area for Schlumberger’s decarbonization services. If they cannot be eliminated, impact minimization is the focus. Flares are supposed to combust methane into carbon dioxide, and any inefficiency in combustion results in methane emissions to the atmosphere, greatly increasing the GHG footprint due to methane’s potency. Flare monitoring, including laser technologies that measure uncombusted methane and successfully combusted carbon dioxide, can ensure flares operate at peak efficiency.

Digital and decarbonization

Digital solutions—including open cloud-based platforms and applications, digitally connected technologies, edge computing and intelligent systems—present some of the industry’s best opportunities to reduce emissions. Schlumberger is focused on digitally enabled technologies for everything from carbon capture, utilization and sequestration to advisory platforms that use AI to identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate emissions.

Ultimately, a combination of technological innovation, digital enablers and expertise across multiple domains—both inside and outside of the industry—will be required to tackle the decarbonization challenge. And Schlumberger is leading the way.

For more information, visit Booth 1916

*Mark of Schlumberger

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