An Op-Ed by Roohee Thaver, August 23, 2023
We understand the oil and gas sector is important for Canada’s economy, however it is time to start reducing our green house gas emissions for the future of our planet. Canadians have made it very clear that they want clean air, a healthy environment, and a strong economy.
Canada’s oil and gas industry is one of the top 10 emitters of GHG emissions. These emissions have had a steady increase as per the Greenhouse gas emissions and are expected to increase for years to come. This is a major reason Canada must continue with their bold emissions cap goal, by 2030 reducing emissions by 45% and by 2050 net zero emissions.
The extraction and distribution of oil and gas, releases methane known as “Fugitive Emissions”. As stated in Our World In Data “Methane is a much stronger greenhouse gas than CO2 in terms of its ‘warming potential’. Over a 100-year timescale, and without considering climate feedbacks, one tonne of methane would generate 28 times the amount of warming as one tonne of CO2.”
Research by scientists from NASA, Duke University, and Columbia University states that “improved air quality caused by reducing emissions from burning fossil fuels and other sources would improve human health and prevent economic losses”
As a specialist in GHG emissions, and in my experience, I’ve discovered there are many decarbonization options for the oil and gas sector in Canada. Some options include electrification, steam displacement, fuel switching opportunities, methane abatement and carbon capture utilization and storage. There are many low cost processes and clean technologies that can be implemented in the coming years. A low cost opportunity that is readily available for reducing GHG emissions is the reduction of fugitive methane emissions, and this can be from both accidental leaks and intentional venting and flaring.
Pointing companies in the direction of available programs right now that can help them reduce emissions and also save time and money is a key opportunity. For example, one major way to save money is through carbon credits. A carbon credit is a generic term for any tradable certificate or permit representing the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of a different greenhouse gas (tCO2e).
Carbon credits and carbon markets are a component of national and international attempts to mitigate the growth in concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Carbon trading is an application of an emissions trading approach. Greenhouse gas emissions are capped and then markets are used to allocate the emissions among the group of regulated sources. There are two ways producers can generate credits: Emissions Performance credits (EPC) and Emission Offset Credits (EOC).
Health Canada has stated that “reductions in Green House Gas emissions will create large health benefits to Canadians and can offset the costs of climate change mitigation”. Although it may take years to realize climate-related health benefits of Green House Gas reductions, the health benefits of Canadians resulting from reductions in air pollution would be realized immediately.
The Federal government needs to continue to set ambitious but achievable goals for the oil and gas sector to reduce GHG emissions to achieve health benefits and health care savings for all Canadians.
I among many, feel we must all take steps together to drastically reduce emissions from all sectors across Canada, not just the oil and gas sector, but in livestock, biomass burning, waste and fossil fuel production. Let’s chat about how.
My name is Roohee Thaver. I am a Chemical Engineering Technologist, CET with more than 12 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. As a GHG Emissions Specialist and Green Chip’s Director of Operations, I maintain a wealth of knowledge to lead our environmental team in emission reduction technologies, governmental regulations, quality control, and GHG projects.
If you have any comments, contributions or questions, I invite you to continue the conversation – send me an email rooheethaver@greenchipenv.com
Until next time…
