Atmospheric emissions

CO₂ emissions for 2005 of 22,612,500 tonnes show a small decrease from 2004 (Recalculated EEMS data has altered the reported historical CO₂ emissions); SO₂ and CH₂ show stable emissions; NO_x have marginally increased; VOC and CO emissions have increased by 9000 and 6000 tonnes respectively. The environmental impact of this increase is insignificant. Indeed, taking into account historic data, an overall decreasing trend in atmospheric emissions can be seen for the Offshore Sector.

Figure 1: UKCS Atmospheric Emissions of named gases 2001-2005

Operators have been verifying and reporting emissions to Environmental Emissions Monitoring System (EEMS) in order to participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which is currently in Phase 1.

Figure 2: UKCS Atmospheric Emissions of Carbon Dioxide 2001-2005

Flaring and venting

The quantity of gas flared during 2005, both onshore and offshore, rose by 130,400 tonnes to 1,725,040 tonnes hydrocarbons. Flaring associated CO₂ emissions are compensated by the overall reduction of CO₂ totalling in excess of 1 million tonnes.

Figure 3: UKCS Flaring and Venting Levels 2001-2005

Energy usage

Energy consumption relative to net production can be expected to increase as fields mature. As reservoir pressures fall, production needs sustaining through pressure support and lifting methods, all of which require considerable energy input. This is compounded by the need to comply with other environmental legislation, such as reductions in oil-in-produced-water through use of energy-intensive re-injection.