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Satellite image of platform where methane leak was detected (Photo: ESA)

ESA report: Satellite images show

methane leak at Pemex platform

THE European Space Agency (ESA) has pub- researchers led by Itziar Irakulis Loitxate from
lished research showing that Mexico’s national the Polytechnic University of Valencia. It con-
oil company (NOC) Pemex experienced a meth- cludes that the leak stemmed from “abnormal
ane leak at an offshore platform last December. process conditions at the site,” and Reuters
According to the report, the platform – explained that this phrase could refer to both
located at Zaap, one of the oilfields within the system and equipment malfunctions.
Ku-Maloob-Zaap cluster in the southern Gulf Irakulis Loitxate told the news agency that
of Mexico off the coast of Campeche State – satellite imagery had played a crucial role in
released large quantities of methane gas into the turning up evidence of the leak. “These are the
atmosphere. The total volume of gas released first detections made from satellites. Without
during this “ultra-emission” event amounted to the monitoring approach described in the paper,
more than 4,000 tonnes, equivalent to 3% of the similar events would remain invisible and unac-
country’s annual carbon dioxide emissions, ESA counted,” he said.
researchers concluded. ESA researchers agreed, saying the incident
The ESA team said in the report that two served as proof of scientists’ growing ability to
satellites recorded images of methane plumes detect and quantify such emissions from space.
streaming from the site between December 8 Methane is typically flared off during oil
and December 27. Meanwhile, it noted, other production operations to minimise harmful
satellites detected that the platform’s usual meth- impact. It is considered a key driver of climate
ane flaring halted on December 8 and resumed change, as it is much more powerful than at trap-
only sporadically during that 17-day period. ping heat than carbon dioxide. However, it only
The report was drawn up by a team of lasts in the atmosphere for about a decade. ™

Braskem-Idesa JV makes Advario

shareholder in ethane import terminal

THE Brazilian-Mexican joint venture Bras- Braskem said earlier this week that BI had
kem-Idesa (BI) will make Advario, a Dutch agreed to sell 50% of Terminal Químico Puerto
company, a shareholder in its $400mn ethane Mexico (TQPM), which will handle 80,000 bar-
import terminal in Mexico’s Veracruz State. rels per day (bpd) of ethane, to Advario.

P6 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 24 16•June•2022