Keeping Tabs on Greenhouse Gases

In light of the EPA’s Air Quality Awareness Week – running from May 1 to 5, 2023 – we have created a series of blog articles that identify the main polluting gases and highlight the importance of implementing mitigation strategies, helping to protect the environment and deliver cleaner air for future generations. Today’s EPA focus is on Air Quality and Climate.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have been a hot topic since they were identified as the main cause of global warming and climate change. There is now a consensus in the scientific community that GHGs are directly linked to extreme climatic events – such as more powerful cyclones, severe droughts, and dangerous floods – leading to ever-tightening regulations for industries to reduce emissions. For oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors, this means bolstering leak detection and repair (LDAR) strategies to find and limit the effect of fugitive emissions.

So, what are the main GHGs? And how can they be more closely monitored to ensure companies comply with regulations, and protect the environment and their personnel?

Greenhouse gases

Water vapor is the most abundant GHG in the Earth’s atmosphere, however, it isn’t the main driver of global warming. The Earth’s temperature is primarily affected by non-condensable gases, which can be released by human activities, accumulating in the atmosphere to accelerate the greenhouse effect. Atmospheric carbon dioxide, for example, has increased by nearly 50 % since the industrial revolution, and methane by 250 % during this time.¹ Nitrous oxide rounds off the list of the most plentiful GHGs, which can linger in the atmosphere for more than 100 years, highlighting the importance of limiting their release.

Monitoring leaky emissions

Monitoring GHGs and other pollutants from oil, gas, and petrochemical production is crucial, and leaks should be found swiftly before they escape into the atmosphere. When these gases are released into the atmosphere, they represent a danger to the environment and the people nearby. Fugitive emissions can arise from faulty connection points, such as flanges, seals, and threaded fittings, and improper storage and other processing parts, including pumps and compressors. Leaks can also gradually occur with repeated use or even due to weather conditions damaging exposed portions of an operation. Furthermore, ongoing leaks can amass massive product loss, resulting in financial ramifications and reduced operational efficiency.

From celestial monitoring to handheld devices

NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation mission highlighted the true extent of this problem almost by mistake; it set out to map the prevalence of key minerals in the planet’s dust-producing deserts, but it also showed incredible accuracy at pinpointing methane emissions from sites around the world.² Methane emissions often go undetected or unmeasured, and therefore unreported,³ however, you don’t need a rocket or satellite to accurately locate them. There is a plethora of portable equipment to precisely detect virtually all organic and inorganic compounds – including the gases discussed in this blog – helping to protect personnel, ensure operations remain compliant, and protect the environment from harmful emissions to, hopefully, curb their contribution towards warming our planet.

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