Gazprom could enter carbon market with a climate project to capture methane during repairs
MOSCOW. June 22 (Interfax) - Gazprom is thinking of monetizing a tried and tested environmental project to reduce methane emissions during repairs at gas transmission facilities, according to the group's 2022 Environmental Report.
The use of mobile compressor stations (MCS) is one of the most effective advanced methods for preventing natural gas emissions, which are characteristics of traditional repair methods. In preparation for such work, with the help of mobile compressor stations, the bulk of the gas from the disconnected section of pipeline is pumped into the active section or into a parallel line. This prevents up to 80% of methane from entering the atmosphere. Removal of gas from the repaired sections of the gas transmission system (GTS) is mandatory for the safety of those carrying out repairs and used in GTS the world over.
"In 2022, the environmental effect of the implementation of the natural gas saving project with the use of MCS during 2019- 2020 was confirmed in accordance with ISO 14064-2:2019. The volume of prevented methane emissions for the specified period is estimated at 7.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent," Gazprom said.
"The statements by OOO Gazprom MCS on the volumes of emissions prevented in 2019-2020 were verified and validated by the authorized international certification company Bureau Veritas. Gazprom is currently considering ways to use the results of this project to reduce the carbon footprint of its supplies, attract green funding or enter carbon markets," the report says.
MCS are among the most effective modern technologies that helped to prevent release of 870.75 million m3 of natural gas into atmosphere in 2022 and 744.7 million m3 in 2021. In the reporting year, a special purpose company OOO Gazprom MCS implemented MCS project at full design capacity and used 12 MCSs.
The specialized company Gazprom MCS provides services to pumping natural gas from sections shut down for repairs to an existing gas pipeline or to a reserve branch using mobile compressor stations.
Together with other measures to prevent methane emissions during repairs, 2.3 billion cubic meters were saved in 2022.
The report also highlights the benefits of gas ejection technologies, which help to save gas in the event of gas compressor shutdowns with 82% gas recovery rate.