Comparison of Decarbonization Pathways for Offshore Platforms: Technology Solutions to Address Key Implementation Challenges

Abstract

Abstract Most companies to date have adopted GHG emission targets in an effort to limit global warming well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, and 2020 estimations forecast a decrease of about 1/3 of emissions from O&G activities by 2050. It is also foreseen that regulations with economic impact on emissions from hydrocarbon production will be progressively adopted. This is triggering oil and gas (O&G) attention to find faster and economic ways to decarbonize while maintaining operational performance. Several types of initiatives are being considered including the reduction of flaring and venting, mitigation of methane leaks, increasing efficiency in energy use, use of renewable energy, and electrification of processes, in combination with the use of digital tools, and advanced monitoring to optimize performance. In this work we focus on a comparison of different decarbonization pathways for an offshore platform. It is assumed that the platform is already in place and in operation, and that the industry is already taking the required actions to reduce flaring and venting and mitigating methane leaks. The analysis starts by identifying the major contributors to the GHG emissions from the platform, which in this case is the power system, followed by fluid related processes like compression, separation, heating for transportation, and other associated operations. Public data from international energy agencies indicates that approximately 16 TWh/year is used to power offshore oil and gas platforms globally. We analyze the following five decarbonization pathways: a) improved energy use - decreasing the energy demand of the processes running on the platform and associated operations, b) increasing the efficiency of the power generation source, c) changing the nature of power source (renewable – wind, solar, wave, hybrid systems), d) implementing carbon capture units, and e) electrifying the facility (partial/full electrification cases). The analysis includes a comparison of promising concepts under each of the proposed pathways and summarize the challenges and opportunities offshore O&G operators have to implement them. Some of the alternatives are based on technology already used in the oil and gas industry, or in other industries, while in some others the technology is still under development. Reference is made to novel technology with potential to address the identified challenges for the different pathway options. We use a simplified metric system to highlight the most effective solutions according to location of the platform and its distance to shore. A discussion of what we will be needed for such pathways to be feasible is also presented.