News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EUB RELEASES FLARING AND VENTING REPORT: SOLUTION GAS FLARING DOWN 70%, SOLUTION GAS VENTING DOWN 38%
EUB Assists World Bank In Reducing Global Flaring
These 2003 numbers represent a further reduction from 2002, when flaring was down 62 per cent from the 1996 baseline, and venting was down 29 per cent from the 2000 baseline. Solution gas conservation in 2003 was up to 95.4 per cent from 2002's figure of 94.7 per cent which is yet another record level.
The reductions in solution gas flaring and venting achieved in 2003 can be attributed to the cooperatives efforts of the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA) Flaring/Venting Project Team, the petroleum industry, and the EUB.
EUB Assists World Bank Global Flaring Reduction Efforts
The EUB continues to be a vital part of the World Bank's Global Flaring and Venting Voluntary Standard that was released May 11th at a conference in Algiers, Algeria. EUB experts have worked closely with the World Bank's Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) to assist in the development of the global Standard. Global venting and flaring levels are estimated to be over 100 billion cubic metres per year, which is similar to the annual gas consumption of Germany and France combined.
As in Alberta, the Standard requires that gas be conserved unless it is deemed to be unrealistic and unreasonable and this determination must be revisited regularly. Similarly, any flaring or venting that cannot be eliminated will be reduced (as in the EUB's Guide 60: Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring Guide). Technical requirements are also similar to the EUB's Guide 60.
EUB staff and Board members have worked closely with the World Bank in an advisory capacity since 2002 when the development arm of the United Nations established its Global Gas Flaring Reduction Public-Private Partnership. In 2003, the World Bank and the EUB co-hosted a workshop on flaring reduction in Calgary, and in 2004, the EUB participated in a World Bank flaring reduction workshop in Indonesia.
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board ensures that the discovery, development and delivery of Alberta's resources and utilities services takes place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.
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Note to Editors: Attachments include:
For more information, please contact:
Darin Barter
EUB Communications
Phone: 403-297-4116 Cell: (403) 297-4116
Email: darin.barter@gov.ab.ca
NR 2004-18
- The reduction of routine flaring and venting of solution gas has been priority for the EUB since 1938. At that time, the Turner Valley Gas Conservation Board was formed to address problems with reservoir management, including the wasteful flaring of solution gas in southern Alberta.
- Today, the EUB recognizes that solution gas flaring and venting at petroleum industry facilities are of concern to Albertans and strives to have industry continue to reduce the volume flared and vented and increase the volume of solution gas conserved.
- Conservation of Alberta's energy resources, public safety, and the dissemination of information are core EUB functions.
- In 1996, the EUB, together with the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA), established flaring baselines and, in 2000, venting baselines were established.
- Even with the success experienced in Alberta, through regulatory enhancements, industry compliance and cooperation, and the collaborative nature of CASA, further reductions continue to be aggressively pursued.
- Flaring and venting of solution gas are a necessary part of some petroleum operations. In emergency situations, flaring provides a safe way to stabilize equipment. Flaring and venting may also be necessary for oil wells that produce small volumes of solution gas and are located far from pipelines and facilities necessary to deliver the gas to market.
- Alberta's success in flaring and venting reduction has been acknowledged internationally. In 2002, the World Bank invited Alberta (EUB) to participate in a Global Gas Flaring Reduction Initiative. The considerable progress of the Alberta reduction efforts and the consensus-based CASA approach were attractive to the World Bank efforts.
- The EUB has provided technical assistance in developing global standards and in developing regulatory abilities among World Bank member countries.
- Together with industry and CASA, the goal of the EUB is to continue to reduce routine flaring and venting of solution gas for the benefit of all Albertans.
EUB FLARING AND VENTING: BY THE NUMBERS
Flaring Reduction
Solution gas for 2003 was 70 per cent less than the 1996 flaring baseline.
- Since 1996, solution gas flaring has been reduced by 70 per cent in Alberta. This achievement has outperformed target levels and represents a further reduction of 8 per cent over 2002.
Solution Gas Venting Reduction
Solution gas venting for 2003 was 38 per cent less than the 2000 venting baseline.
- Since 2000, solution gas venting has been reduced by 38 per cent in Alberta. This is a further 9 per cent reduction from a decrease of 29 per cent in 2002.
- Solution gas conservation has reached an all time high of 95.4 per cent. Gas conserved can be used for operations or to be sold to market.
Solution Gas Conservation
Solution gas conservation for 2003 was 95.4 per cent, the highest conservation level achieved to date.
For more information:
Darin Barter
EUB Communications
Tel: (403) 297-4116
Cell: (403) 651-9487
Email:
darin.barter@gov.ab.ca
EUB FLARING AND VENTING REDUCTION
