How Bureau Veritas is supporting the Oil and Gas industry to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and -50% GHG emissions by 2030
At the recent COP26 summit in Glasgow, public and private sector leaders underlined the need for accelerated action to limit global warming to +1.5°. A drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, mainly methane and CO2, must be achieved in the coming decade. To help global energy providers to identify hotspots as well as measure and reduce emissions in line with their sustainability targets, Bureau Veritas offers an “Achieving Net Zero” integrated solution. This includes a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches to emissions assessment.
Halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
To maintain average global temperatures below 2°C, the estimated carbon quantity, (or the maximum CO2 humanity can emit: around 400 giga tons), will be exhausted by 2030 at the current pace. As COP26 made clear, decisive, urgent action is required. Most governments and corporate leaders have pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and -50% emissions by 2030, with a focus on Scopes 1 and 2*.
Helping oil and gas achieve Net Zero
Sustainability is at the heart of Bureau Veritas’s strategy and businesses. The Group’s mission is to Shape a world of Trust by ensuring responsible progress – which includes helping clients meet energy needs today while building a low-carbon future.
As Andrea Di Lillo, OPEX Global Business Development Director, explains, “The oil and gas industry has a driving role to play in the energy transition.COP26 has been a new accelerator for Bureau Veritas to promote new ways of lowering their emissions to its clients, with a primary focus on methane. We help oil and gas operators reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by reviewing and assessing processes and systems at the asset and supply chain levels. First, we conduct a deep assessment of their current emissions processes, procedures and systems, using a scoring model to deliver an independent, granular evaluation of both emissions measurement and data reliability. This is organized by Scope (1, 2 and 3) and by type of emission in accordance with ISO standards, the GHG Protocol and the American Petroleum Institute Compendium of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimation Methodologies. Then we propose improvement plans to allow clients to enhance data reliability and identify emissions hotspots. This enables our clients to gain trust regarding their emissions data, identify priorities for aligning investment with strategy, and provide transparent communications on their progress towards net zero emissions.”
As carbon-intense industries adopt more ambitious net zero targets, Bureau Veritas is strategically committed to helping clients achieve their goals. This means adopting a new approach, with a new line of solutions for energy providers. “For the past decades, Bureau Veritas has been recognized as a global leader in leak detection and repair (LDAR), and we have supported our clients through our field experience and measurement expertise with a focus mainly on source emissions (bottom-up) quantification techniques,” explains Jonathan Martinez, OPEX Solution Manager. “And to help clients set priorities, Bureau Veritas has selected specialist partners to offer integrated global solutions and deliver customized site-level (top-down) measurements.”
From source level (bottom-up) to site level (top-down) approach
Bureau Veritas’ traditional bottom-up emissions assessment services will continue to grow worldwide, while its new solutions portfolio will expand, with additional services for helping the oil and gas industry meet emissions reduction requirements. “Since most energy providers manage multiple facilities across numerous countries, it isn’t feasible to have the same priorities for all assets and countries. Site maturity, regulations, processes and strategies vary considerably. That’s why we’re investing and reinforcing our support with a top-down approach,” states Andrea Di Lillo.
For example, Bureau Veritas uses innovative satellite technology to detect greenhouse gases and especially quantify methane emissions in designated zones, like industrial plants, power stations or upstream fields. “Reviewing the outcome of these selected zones, we can focus on top X priorities and narrow down emission quantification to specific facilities,” explains Jonathan Martinez. “We then drill down to the production unit and even the source level to detect and locate any issues. Our oil and gas clients can also leverage our top-down approach to quantify all plant emissions, as a major step to achieving emissions reduction targets faster.”
Aligned with upcoming European regulations
The importance of this top-down approach to quantifying methane emissions has been acknowledged by the industry. Notably, the European Commission’s December 15, 2021 proposal to reduce CH4 emissions requires companies to reconcile site-level and source-level measurements. Another example is the Oil And Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0) “Gold Standard” award, which recognizes companies’ efforts to move to site-level measurements.
Bureau Veritas has also been actively involved in an ambitious European program to assess the technologies used to quantify site-level methane emissions. As Jonathan Martinez explains, “The European Gas Research Group (GERG) project started with a state-of-the-art study of all the technologies able to do the job. Then some of them were shortlisted for implementation on an Enagás facility in Spain, where we generated a wide range of controlled methane releases over a full week. Bureau Veritas also participated in blind measurements with Aeromon, one of our strategic partners, which installed its sensors on a Bureau Veritas drone. This strategic experience has confirmed our role as a key partner for oil and gas operators and for regulators aiming to align rules with the available state-of-the-art technologies. Our cooperation enabled GERG to submit relevant conclusions to the European Commission ahead of its legislative proposal.”
To sum up, Bureau Veritas helps organizations assess their carbon footprint, identify emissions hotspots and develop a net zero roadmap with clear actions for reducing emissions. With years of experience and specialized partnerships, we are well positioned to help the industry provide more value and leverage more sustainable solutions in line with corporate and government goals.
Read our White Paper on Net Zero Emissions
* Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from company-owned or controlled sources. For the oil and gas industry, the main sources of Scope 1 emissions include stationary combustion, mobile combustion, fugitive emissions, process emissions and land use. For most businesses, indirect Scope 2 emissions are linked to the generation of electricity that has been purchased and used. For oil and gas companies, this puts a focus on asset operations and particularly the use of electricity, steam, heat and cooling. Source: Bureau Veritas.
European regulation on methane emissions reduction
On December 15, 2021 the European Commission released its first-ever legislative proposal geared toward reducing methane emissions in the energy sector. Currently, the energy sector accounts for almost 20% of the human-made methane emissions within the EU. To meet Paris Agreement targets, the EU must reduce GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The proposal introduces new requirements for the oil, gas and coal sectors on the measurement, reporting and verification of their emissions. Meanwhile, it would enact stringent rules on methane fugitive emissions, venting and flaring. Leak Detection And Repair (LDAR) programs will be a key element of this reinforced strategy.
Bureau Veritas’ LDAR experts are well positioned to anticipate actions needed to meet expected regulations. These are likely to include conducting comprehensive methane detection surveys and reporting.