Publications

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from gas processing facilities are a significant contributor to the oil and gas sector's environmental footprint. Accurate estimation of these emissions is essential for compliance, optimization, and identifying emission reduction opportunities. This study provides a comparative analysis of two GHG emission estimation techniques: the widely used compendium methods and advanced simulation modelling. The objective is to evaluate each technique’s effectiveness in providing accurate, actionable data that can drive optimization strategies and emissions reduction in existing gas processing facilities.

In this study, both compendium-based calculations and simulation model (Emission Utility Tool) are applied to an operational gas processing facilities which covering compressors, generators, air coolers and pumps to estimate GHG emissions, focusing on methane and carbon dioxide as primary pollutants. We assess the accuracy, efficiency, and practical applications of each method, as well as their potential to identify specific emission sources and guide process adjustments for optimized operation. The results reveal critical differences in the methods ability to capture real-time process variations, with simulation modelling demonstrating enhanced precision in pinpointing process-specific emission hotspots and proposing targeted reduction strategies.

Our findings emphasize the complementary roles of compendium methods and simulation modelling. For example, the API Compendium estimates emission 63% to 74% difference than simulation modeling for all compressors. This discrepancy arises because the API Compendium focuses on regulatory compliance by estimating the total energy (fuel) supplied to the equipment, while simulation modelling calculates only the power required by the compressor based on actual equipment performance.

In practice, a hybrid approach is recommended for facilities aiming to optimize performance while ensuring compliance with strict regulatory standards.