Torch gas…the environmental and economic benefits of its recovery

Torch gas…the environmental and economic benefits of recovering it

There is no doubt that we are living in a time of increasing focus on the environment and efforts to combat climate change. Due to the unprecedented rise in temperatures on Earth, which affects all forms of life. From here, attention turned to the most polluting sectors, whether industrial or service. To push it to shift its activities towards sustainability, and urgently reduce its emissions.

Among all industries, the oil and gas industry receives great attention more than ever before, and this is between voices calling for the complete elimination of fossil fuels – and thus eliminating this industry – and other voices seeking to reduce the carbon footprint of the oil and gas industry, and innovating smart solutions that enable us to accommodate this industry within strategies to combat climate change.

Perhaps one of the most prominent topics that have gained momentum in the last decade is flare gas recovery systems (FGRS), as they are a key player in reducing the negative environmental footprint of the oil and gas industry, mainly represented in greenhouse gas emissions. In order to achieve a number ofSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably the ninth goal (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and the twelfth goal (responsible consumption and production).

In our Arab region, oil and gas extraction represents the main element in the economy of a number of countries, whether in the Arabian Gulf or North Africa. Which means the release of large quantities of emissions resulting from the torch gas into our environment, which is something that requires our research and consideration. To develop ways to deal with this issue in a sustainable manner. In the following lines, we will delve deeper into the issue of torch gas, and the importance of recovering it to reduce emissions and promote sustainable practices in the oil and gas sectors.

What is the flare gas?

Some of us may have noticed, when passing by petroleum refinery stations, the presence of a tall metal tower topped with a blazing torch of fire, a torch that has become, over decades, a symbol of the petroleum industry. In fact, many companies operating in this sector include it in their logos, as a reference to exploration and refining work.

But what is the secret behind this flame, and what is the reason for its presence in oil refineries? When exploring for oil underground, there are large quantities of various gases associated with the oil (associated gas), which are considered one of the by-products (waste) of oil extraction. To get rid of this waste, the extraction fields burn it in specialized torches. Hence the term “flare gas” arose, but the process of burning flare gas contributes – significantly – to increasing emissions resulting from the process of oil exploration and refining.

Associated gases consist of a mixture of gases, the most important of which is methane, which represents approximately 80%, followed bypropane, butane and ethane, in addition to small quantities of inert gases and hydrogen sulfide. According to World Bank estimates, the oil sector, which is represented by energy companies, burned on average about 144 billion cubic meters of torch gas in 2021, which resulted in the release of the equivalent of more than 400 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Why do we burn torch gas?

There are many reasons that make burning gases associated with petroleum a routine and usual matter in oil companies, the most important of which is safety; Because the large quantities of gases associated with oil cause an uncontrollable increase in pressure, which means the possibility of an explosion occurring at the excavation site if this pressure is not reduced. Therefore, companies resort to collecting this gas and disposing of it through burning.

Other sources of torch gas include start-up and stop-down operations of refinery plants, refrigeration cycle compressors, and when maintaining equipment, in addition to various operating accidents. All of the above can emit different gases that must be disposed of. To prevent equipment and pipes from being exposed to sudden pressures higher than they were designed for.

But, some may ask: Why not collect, store and transport this gas instead of burning it? The answer here is that this matter requires the existence of a dedicated pipeline network to transport this gas, a network that may not be available in all exploration sites, most of which are located in remote areas. Also, relying on constructing reservoirs for this gas and then transporting it by land is considered an expensive option, and often not economically feasible. Therefore, companies refrain from using it – especially companies and small extraction fields – in order to save expenses.

The strange thing is that legislation and regulatory frameworks in some countries are the reason behind burning torch gas! For example, we find that some companies hold concessions to extract oil only without allowing the exploitation of associated gases. On the other hand, some regulatory frameworks lack a clear position on how exploration companies deal with associated gases, which may create a state of ambiguity and uncertainty for companies.

From here, an accelerated movement of research and development emerged to find innovative solutions. To benefit from the torch gas instead of burning it, taking into account the economic dimensions, in addition to complying with the legal regulations and legislation regulating this matter. Flare gas has serious effects on the environment and public health that must be dealt with.

Effects of torch gas

No one denies the importance of burning torch gas routinely for the safety of individuals and equipment, but this burning process causes a number of negative effects that harm the environment, health, and the public, as a number of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are released into the atmosphere, the most important of which are carbon dioxide and methane, in addition to gases such as benzene, naphthalene, and ozone. These are gases that directly affect public health, in addition to inhaled fine particles (PM 2.5).

Flame gas also produces emissions of sulfur dioxide and a number of volatile chemicals into the atmosphere. These emissions certainly contribute to air pollution, global warming, and ozone layer depletion, in addition to their harmful effects on human health and biodiversity.

In addition to the above, black carbon (soot or soot) is also produced from the torch gas, which is a pollutant that can be seen with the naked eye in the form of black smoke accompanying the torch. This is the result of incomplete combustion of the torch gas, which is – usually – due to a problem in feeding the torches with sufficient oxygen. Research conducted by the European Geosciences Union indicates that flare gas emissions may contribute about 40% of the annual black carbon deposits in the Arctic.

On the other hand, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health tells us that pollution caused by flare gas – whether burned or vented – has led to health damage worth $7.4 billion in the United States alone, in addition to thousands of premature deaths around the world.

The most prominent torch gas solutions

Flame gas is not only considered a negative contributor to the environment, but it is also considered a wasted resource that can be reused again. Which means applying the principles of the circular economy, and pushing the oil sector to gradually transform its operations. To be more sustainable. Below are the three most prominent solutions in dealing with torch gas.

First – Gas-to-liquid conversion (GTL): One of the promising solutions to benefit from associated gases is to convert them to liquid. This method can be used to convert flare gas into value-added products, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), gasoline or diesel, through appropriate refining and conversion processes. The torch gas, after being separated and purified, can also be a raw material in various petrochemical factories. In this way, the flame gas can be converted into an additional resource, instead of being disposed of as a waste.

Second – Re-injection into wells: Oil extraction operations from various wells are usually at their highest rates at the beginning; There is sufficient pressure in these wells, but over time this pressure decreases, and extraction rates become weaker and weaker. Therefore, associated gases can be injected back into the wells instead of burning them. To restore the normal pressure in these wells and prolong their life.

Third – Electricity production: Another solution that can be resorted to is the use of associated gases to generate electricity through turbines installed in excavation sites, so that electricity production covers the site’s energy needs in general, whether for human use or for operations, and it is a solution that can be attractive – in particular – in sites that are not reached by the electricity network.

Fourth – Carbon Capture and Storage: Carbon capture and storage (CSS) techniques can sometimes represent a solution, and this is to deal with the emissions resulting from torch gas by burying them in the layers of the earth; To prevent these emissions from leaking into the atmosphere, and to limit their impact on exacerbating global warming, but this – certainly – is not the best solution to this problem.

Flame gas in Egypt

Towards achieving Egypt’s Vision 2030, we find that the various industrial and service sectors in Egypt have multiple contributions to transforming their activities into sustainability, and this is something that has not been lost on the Egyptian petroleum and natural gas sector, as flare gas recovery techniques have made their way into this sector years ago, with an annual growth in reliance on them in multiple locations.

According to official statistics, more than 30 projects have been implemented to recover torch gas. This contributed to achieving an annual revenue of 200 million US dollars, in addition to reducing emissions at an annual rate of 1.4 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

In the same context, Egypt is working to establish a legal framework regulating the placement of torch gas, in order to ensure the presence of appropriate incentives for companies, and to strive towards achieving the national climate agenda in light of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is what Egypt expressed – clearly – during the climate conference -COP28- in Dubai.

In conclusion, torch gas represents a fundamental challenge facing the petroleum industry, and we must act immediately to deal with it in all ways that contribute to enhancing environmental and economic sustainability. Although burning torch gas represents an easy way to get rid of excess gases, it leaves negative effects that harm the environment and human health for many centuries.

Therefore, everyone – companies, bodies and governments – must take effective measures to reduce the burning of torch gas, through the development and use of modern technologies, which can transform this gas from a waste into a resource that achieves the principles of the circular economy, and reduces the carbon footprint of this vital sector.

In addition to technical efforts, legislation and regulation have a vital role in enhancing the sustainability of the petroleum industry, as governments should adopt strong environmental policies that stimulate the reduction of flare gas burning and enhance its use instead of wasting it, and this will only happen in real cooperation with the private sector. So that we can achieve tangible progress towards our climate goals at the local and global levels, and build a better future for all.