Offshore staff
TOKYO, Japan — MODEC and JGC Corp. have completed a project to measure and quantify emissions of methane, nitrous oxide and hydrofluorocarbons from producing FPSOs offshore Brazil, chartered and operated by MODEC.
JGC works to mitigate greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from oil and gas production facilities through its HiGHGuard measurement service, using the MRV3 methodology.
With no globally standardized measurement methods, the service delivers reliable measurement and quantification in line with plant operations, MODEC claimed, along with low-carbon/decarbonized solutions.
The two companies conducted quantification of emissions between July and September 2023 at the two MODEC-chartered FPSOs operating offshore Rio de Janeiro.
They applied two methods: a bottom-up approach using handheld sensors and infra-red cameras, and a top-down approach involving aerial drones. The bottom-up approach measured about 15,000 possible methane emission points in the platforms while the top-down method used drones flying around the facilities to capture the methane potential of plant-wide emissions.
Among the findings were a much more precise determination of methane and other GHG emission levels than via conventional desktop calculations; the process established a reliable methodology for measuring methane emissions through combining multiple measurement technologies; and identification of individual methane emission points on the FPSOs led to actioning of specific emission prevention measures.
The methodology is said to meet the requirements of levels 4 and 5 in the international reporting framework established by the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) program. Results could be considered highly reliable from an international standpoint, MODEC said.
The company will now look to further improve the precision of its GHG emissions calculations and expand the scope of its emissions data disclosure. Under its charter business, MODEC will also provide its clients with emissions quantification services along with planning and implementation of emission reduction measures.
Improved FPSO design and operation through application of new technologies should support decarbonization of the global energy supply chain, the company added.
05.02.2024
