Assessment of Carbon Emissions Per Barrel and Decarbonization Plan in a Latin America Oilfield

Unofficial AI-generated summary based on the public title and abstract. Not an official translation.

🔬研究者:Offers a replicable bottom-up emission quantification method for oilfields, useful for carbon accounting research.

🏢実務担当者:Provides a step-by-step approach for oilfield operators to benchmark and reduce emissions using existing data.

🏛政策担当者:Empty string

Abstract Most operating companies have set emission reduction targets in response to regulations and stakeholder demand. Emission intensity (kgCO2e/bbl) is the best measure for monitoring and reporting emissions of an oil and gas field. In this manuscript, we present a comprehensive and practical bottom-up approach to calculate the carbon emissions per barrel in a field. We identify all major sources of emissions, quantify their contributions to the field's overall carbon footprint, and discuss technologies to reduce the field's emission intensity. This methodology quantifies emissions across the field development lifecycle. The analysis considers Scope 1 and 2 emissions, excluding embodied carbon products and services, and was conducted in an onshore oil producer brownfield, encompassing drilling and workover campaign, surface facilities expansion, and waterflooding operations. A detailed inventory of wellsites, wells, and equipment was considered, along with rig specifications, construction activities and energy matrix. Emissions were quantified using operational data from surface equipment, logistics, and methane monitoring technologies, and aggregated at the field level to benchmark the current carbon footprint. The emissions allocation was: energy consumption (58%), venting (6%) and flaring (36%). Energy consumption emerged as the primary contributor to emissions, accounting for 58% of total emissions, with 71% from wells, 5% from processing, and 15% from water injection facilities. Emissions reduction can be achieved through operational efficiency (5% potential reduction), energy efficiency (5-15% potential reduction), and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Operational efficiency involves improving field practices and adopting autonomous operations to enhance equipment reliability. Energy efficiency focuses on replacing equipment with low-energy consumption alternatives, particularly artificial lift systems and water injection pumps. Cleaner energy utilization involves integrating wellsites with the local grid to reduce diesel dependency. Venting and flaring were identified as significant contributors, with potential reductions by transporting and using associated gas for power generation. Changes in operational philosophy are necessary to transition from single-phase to multiphase flow systems. Gas monetization presents an opportunity to reduce emissions and generate revenue by producing energy for grid use. Implementing efficient artificial lift systems, improving operational practices, and utilizing associated gas for power generation can reduce the carbon footprint by at least 20% without additional costs. The overall impact depends on scalability and expansion of these solutions within the field. This paper proposes a novel bottom-up approach for accurately quantifying emissions and setting a carbon intensity per barrel benchmark at asset or field level using existing operational data. This method facilitates data aggregation from field to corporate level and enables the transformation of corporate decarbonization strategies into actionable plans. Integrating emissions management into routine operations empowers teams to achieve significant emissions reductions and operational improvements at minimal cost while upskilling current professionals.

• openaire https://doi.org/10.2118/229090-msfirst seen 2026-05-05 19:06:34