CASE STUDY
Methane Emissions Reduction at the Edge
Across the globe , oil and gas production companies face ongoing challenges as they work to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from their production wells , refineries , chemical plants , and pipeline operations .
By Jill Burdette , Global Business Development Process Energy and Transformation , Discrete Automation - Emerson
In recent years , there has been a major focus on the fugitive methane emissions released from both oil and natural gas wells and the pipelines that move these products from the wellhead to production facilities . Fugitive emissions are unintentional and undesirable emissions , leakages , or discharge of gases or vapors from pressure-containing equipment or facilities .
It is estimated that control valves account for 60 % of fugitive emissions in the industry and offer an opportunity to improve emissions reduction initiatives . Oil and gas producers and refiners are announcing ambitious plans to measure , reduce , and report these emissions over the medium- and long-term .
Oil and Gas Company Applies Automation to Methane Emissions Reduction
A leading oil and gas company is deploying methane detection and control
technology across the globe to help reduce its carbon footprint .
The company ’ s expanded use of methane detection and direct measurement technology can help it better observe and measure methane and provide real-time tracking to predict , prevent , and mitigate fugitive emissions . Through these efforts , the company expects to reduce methane intensity by more than 50 % within six years .
Production areas for many companies consist of widely dispersed wells and distribution equipment . These large geographic areas , often with remote locations , create a major maintenance and service challenge for controlling and reducing methane emissions .
The CPL410 Controller features the PACEdge™ software platform , which is designed to help users securely collect , analyze , store and serve up machine data near the source or across enterprise systems .
30 Valve World Americas | April 2024 • www . valve-world-americas . net