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OGUK sets out plan to tackle methane emissions

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Oilfield Technology,


OGUK has published its Methane Action Plan, a blueprint for helping the sector reduce methane emissions and one of the first key deliverables of the North Sea Transition Deal, agreed in March between industry and the UK Government.

The plan sets out six actions in total, with four new actions for industry. These include reducing methane by 50% compared to 2018, committing to 0.20% methane intensity by 2025 and stopping all routine flaring by 2030.

It will also ensure all companies and installations create individual action plans by the end of 2022.

Earlier this month the UK Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) issued consolidated and updated guidance on flaring and venting, setting out a tougher approach to driving reductions.

Key actions in the Methane Action Plan include:

  • 50% reduction in methane emissions by 2030 – the UK industry will halve methane emissions by 2030 (against a 2018 baseline) in accordance with overall emission reduction targets.
  • UKCS methane intensity below 0.20% by 2025 – the UK industry will adopt the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative methane intensity target of 0.25% (stretch 0.2%) by 2025, at basin level to drive short-term operational efficiency.
  • Zero-routine flaring before 2030 – industry will aim to meet the World Bank Zero Routine Flaring initiative by 2030, with companies and installations accelerating compliance where possible before 2030.
  • Asset MAP – each company and offshore installation will develop its own Methane Action Plan by 2023, including a monitoring and measurement plan, flare & vent plan and abatement plan.
  • Measuring methane – installations will seek to validate methane quantification wherever practicable by relevant measurements.
  • International alignment – The industry will seek to align to international standards and reporting principles.

OGUK Emissions Improvement Manager, Thibaut Cheret, said: “Methane is one of the world’s worst greenhouse gases, so reducing methane emissions will have an immediate effect on the climate that reductions in CO2 alone cannot achieve. With this plan, the UK industry can contribute to keeping world temperature below the dangerous 2C mark, while producing the energy the UK will need for decades to come in a healthier way.”


Read the latest issue of Oilfield Technology in full for free: Issue 2 2021

Oilfield Technology’s second issue of 2021 starts with a report from KPMG that examines the outlook for the Scottish oil and gas sector. The rest of the issue is dedicated to articles covering the offshore supply chain industry, offshore asset integrity, expandable liner technology, advances in drilling, data security, flow control, EOR and methane emissions.

Exclusive contributions come from Tata Steel, EM&I Group, 3X Engineering, Enventure Global Technology, Varel Energy Solutions, Adrilltech, Tendeka and more.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/hse/30062021/oguk-sets-out-plan-to-tackle-methane-emissions/

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