Page 10 - AsianOil Week 31 2021

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Satellite detects massive

methane plume over Kazakhstan

PROJECTS & A massive methane plume has been detected
COMPANIES over Kazakhstan originating from a pipeline that
carries Central Asian gas to China, geoanalytics
firm Kayrros reported this week citing satellite
data.
Methane is emitted in far smaller volumes
than CO2, but it has a far greater greenhouse gas
(GHG) potency. Recently attention on gas sec-
tor-related emissions has shifted from CO2 to
methane, with the European Commission hav-
ing drawn up a proposal for rules on the detec-
tion of emissions and their mitigation.
These efforts have been aided by a significant
advance in recent years in the ability of satellites
to detect and quantity emissions from individ-
ual sources. There are hopes that the data can be
used to ensure that major sources of emissions
can be dealt with sooner.
The latest plume was observed around 100 The geoanalytics firm said it could not say
km west of Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty how long the release lasted, as the analysis was
on July 24, and had an emissions rate of over based on a single observation by the European
200 tonnes per hour of methane, Bloomberg Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P satellite when it
reported on August 2, citing an estimate from passed over Kazakhstan last month.
Kayrros. Satellites typically report higher volumes of
“This largest emission event matches the pat- methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure
tern of methane release observed from gas infra- than local operators and governments report. But
structure,” Kayrros was quoted as saying by the while transparency and accurate reporting may
news agency. “A pipeline and compressors are in be an issue, satellites can potentially overestimate
close proximity, and based on information Kay- emissions as they only take a snapshot observation,
rros has access to, there are no other candidates rather than monitoring fugitive and planned emis-
for the observed release.” sions over the course of a day.
The Central Asia-China runs through Kayrros also identified a significant methane
Kazakhstan carrying up to 55bn cubic metres leak in Russia in June along the Urengoy-Centre
per year of Central Asian gas. The operator of 1 pipeline. The rate of that leak was 395 tonnes
its Kazakh section, state-owned KazTransGas per hour, or almost double what was recorded in
(KTG), has denied having any leaks and the Kazakhstan. Gazprom later admitted to causing
Kazakh government is yet to respond to Kay- the plume, attributing it to emergency repairs
rros’ claim. that had resulted in the pipeline’s closure.™

OCEANIA

Woodside ups Scarborough’s

projected costs by 5%

PROJECTS & AUSTRALIAN independent Woodside Energy November 2019’s estimate of $11.4bn, owing to
COMPANIES has increased its cost estimates for the offshore refreshed pricing from major contractors.
Scarborough natural gas development ahead of a Woodside operates the Scarborough joint
final investment decision (FID) planned for later venture, which will supply gas from four fields
this year. estimated to hold 13 trillion cubic feet (368bn
Woodside said on August 4 that it expected cubic metres) of 2C dry gas to an expanded
the project to cost $12bn, a nearly 5% increase on Pluto LNG facility, in partnership with BHP

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 31 05•August•2021