What is the Zero Routine Flaring (ZRF) Initiative?
In light of more stringent emissions rules and environmental performance mandates to achieve net-zero emissions and eliminate routine flaring, current production practices are being reexamined.
In 2015, The World Bank launched the Zero Routine Flaring (ZRF) initiative to encourage governments and upstream producers to eliminate the practice of burning off natural gas produced in association with crude oil no later than 2030. Since then, most major oil and gas producers have signed on to the ZRF initiative to achieve net-zero emissions status.
In fact, The Environmental Partnership, an industry consortium committed to improving the environmental performance of the oil and gas industry has embraced zero routine flaring with its Flare Management program.
Tank Battery Emissions in the Spotlight
Diving a little deeper, can operators achieve “zero routine flaring” and environmental performance goals demanded by Wall Street and/or comply with existing and pending regulations without reductions in tank venting and flaring? As operators become more proficient in leak detection and repair, attention is turning to other significant sources of emissions.
The chart below illustrates EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory estimates of upstream emissions from oil and gas operations for 2019, the most recent year for which data is available.
EPA estimates identify tanks and tank flares the THIRD largest source of upstream emissions on a CO2e basis, after pneumatic devices and routine flaring, accounting for 11% of total upstream Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Total tank emissions are the result of leaks, tank venting and downstream flaring of low-pressure vapor from both oil and water storage tanks.
A Closer Look at Routine Flaring
The majority of attention regarding routine flaring has been focused on wells drilled and produced in regions lacking natural gas pipeline infrastructure. While these wells were produced for the high-value oil and liquids, the associated natural gas was simply flared off.
Now that the industry has substantially reduced routine flaring of gas produced in association with oil, attention is turning to the other source of routine flaring at production facilities – the tank battery.
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) published data on flaring at upstream operations. The chart below illustrates the sources of upstream flaring in terms of CO2e.
While the flaring of associated gas represents essentially half of the total 22 million metric tonnes of CO2e, the second largest source of emissions in the upstream sector is from the tank batteries at nearly one quarter of total flaring emissions.
As operators reduce flaring of associated gas, the spotlight on flaring and emissions is quickly shifting to routine tank flaring.
With all this in mind and to gain a better understanding of how tank batteries play a large role in determining the success of any ZRF initiative, we encourage you to read our complete Case Study, Zero Routine Flaring Targets Cannot Be Met Without Addressing Tank Battery Flaring and Venting.
EcoVapor is committed to helping oil and gas operators take steps toward a zero emissions wellsite. Our technology-based Pathways to Zero help Energy companies simultaneously achieve their environmental performance goals and increase profitability.
About EcoVapor
EcoVapor Recovery Systems provides solutions to pressing oil and natural gas production problems. EcoVapor’s technical team has extensive expertise in vapor recovery processes and includes world-class engineers with an innovative approach to industry challenges. In over 120 installations in all major US basins, our patented ZerO2 solution helps oil and gas producers meet their air emissions and regulatory compliance goals. EcoVapor is headquartered in Denver, Colorado and has field locations in Greeley, Colorado and Midland, Texas.
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Phone: 844-NOFLARE (844-663-5273)