International Experts Workshops on Carbon Management and its Implications:
1st Global Methane Initiative (GMI) for Oil and Gas Sector Workshop and Exhibition
in the Middle East and The International Experts Workshop on the Adverse Social and
Economic Impacts of Mitigation Measures

On Tuesday morning, participants considered methane emissions reduction project evaluation and implementation. A variety of practices for reducing emissions and their related economics were outlined, including mitigation options for: pneumatic controllers, fugitives, reciprocating and centrifugal compressors, glycol dehydrators, storage tanks, casinghead gas, well venting during completions, and liquids unloading.

Saudi Aramco and international partners shared experiences and case studies. Saudi Aramco discussed volatile organic compound (VOC) emission control at bulk plants. Saudi Aramco’s commitment to environmental protection by minimizing VOCs and other hydrocarbon emissions was emphasized, and the process of installing vapor recovery units at major bulk plants highlighted. Methane mitigation initiatives and steps taken to minimize exposure to benzene in India were considered. The Kuwait Oil Company’s air emissions management strategy aimed at reducing gas flaring was presented. It was noted that flaring reductions have been achieved by: prioritizing flare reduction; investing in state-of-the-art facilities and operations; and cooperating with the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership. Case studies were presented by two oil and gas partners. Existing and proposed emission reduction practices, including flare gas recovery and engine starting system retrofit from Indonesia, were highlighted. Saudi Aramco provided an overview of the company’s Leak Detection and Repair Programme (LDAR).

Closing the meeting, Khalid Abuleif, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Recourses, Saudi Arabia, thanked the organizers, presenters, and participants for their efforts. He underscored that technology provides solutions to global environmental challenges, noting that this technical workshop is conducive to further mitigation of methane emissions. He then closed the workshop at 10:58am.

After lunch, participants went on a field trip to the Saudi Aramco Engineering Solutions Center in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.