Unlocking sustainability: Navigating the vital transition in oil and gas field decommissioning
1 Energy Transition and Decarbonization, Baker Hughes, Houston, United States of America.
2 Product Management, Baker Hughes, Houston, United States of America.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(02), 648–656
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.22.2.1445
Publication history:
Received on 02 April 2024; revised on 08 May 2024; accepted on 10 May 2024
Abstract:
In today's dynamic oil and gas landscape, effective decommissioning stands as a pivotal challenge. It's a realm where decisions can no longer be deferred, where the stakes are high, and the path forward demands innovation. This paper embarks on an energy transformative exploration offering a Life Cycle analysis approach to estimate emissions entwined with decommissioning efforts. Through a meticulous gate-to-gate lifecycle analysis, this paper traverses the entire lifespan of oil and gas fields, from inception to closure. The model presents a methodological rigor, delves deep into the intricacies of decommissioning processes: from well plugging to plant dismantling, from onsite cutting to offsite fabrication. With a keen eye on sustainability, the study explores avenues for recycling and minimizing environmental impact. The analysis unveils the carbon footprint of decommissioning, with emissions quantified at 2.31x10-2 Kg CO2 Eq. per Mcf of natural gas produced and in this intricate tapestry, one truth emerges: well plug and abandonment, a seemingly mundane task that is part of each field development project, emerges as the primary contributor to emissions, casting a spotlight on areas ripe for improvement. The research charts a course towards a greener, more sustainable future for oil and gas decommissioning through better understanding of each stage of decommissioning through emission lens.
Keywords:
Energy Transition; Decarbonization; Sustainability; Decommissioning
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Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0