Gas venting
For example, the vented volumes from individual wells are sometimes too small and intermittent, and may present other difficulties (e.g. high concentrations of contaminants) that make flaring more technically and economically challenging.
Johnson stresses the urgency of swiftly retrofitting oil and gas sites, considering that the associated costs are reasonable, based on various studies.
The study underscores that nearly two-thirds of emissions—primarily stemming from uncontrolled tanks, pneumatics, and unlit flares, result from gas venting—indicating substantial opportunities for mitigation.
Notably, methane intensities in Alberta are four times higher than those in neighboring British Columbia, highlighting the necessity for independent monitoring and reporting ensuring the success of emission reduction initiatives.
In some cases of sub-surface mining, a formation is permeated with boreholes prior to and/or during extraction work, and the so-called firedamp gases allowed to vent as a safety measure.
About 200 mines across a broad scope of countries had implemented technology by the year 2015 to capture about 3 million tons of methane, either for economic use or for abatement in gas flares or thermal oxidizers.
[12] Outcroppings, seams, or formations near the surface are also sometimes permeated with wells to extract and capture the methane, in which event it is classified as a form of unconventional gas.
[13] Such coalbed methane capture can reduce the volume of gas seepage that would otherwise occur naturally, while in-turn adding emissions of carbon dioxide once the fuel is utilized elsewhere.
It is also becoming more of a standard practice to: Today, it is financially viable to develop even relatively small hydrocarbon reservoirs containing non-associated gas (i.e. with little or no oil) close to a market or export route, as well as large, remote accumulations.
Fossil gas was recently promoted by some industry advocates and policy makers as a "bridge fuel" that could yield the least waste, and thus environmental damage and accompanying economic losses, during the transition from finite fossil-fuel reserves to more sustainable sources.
[18] However, the actual volumes of methane released cumulatively over the supply chain have a near-term climate warming impact which already rivals, and may grow to exceed, that from using coal and oil.
[19] Venting and other releases of gaseous hydrocarbons have increased steadily throughout the industrial age alongside the rapid growth in production and consumption of fossil fuels.
[2][25][26] The ethane, propane, and butane components of natural gas have much shorter atmospheric lifetimes (ranging from about 1 week to 2 months) compared to methane (1-2 decades) and carbon dioxide (1-2 centuries).
