Life Cycle Assessment as a Tool of Eco-Efficiency of Oil And Gas Production Facilities

Abstract

Aiming at improving the eco-efficiency of the oil and gas industry, the author suggests the use of life cycle assessment methodology to study oil and gas production facilities as illustrated by the oil-and-gas well. The peculiarities of the research object are the complexity of technological processes and equipment and the multifactorial effects on the environment. The basic principles of the methodology of life cycle assessment have been analyzed. The author specifies the boundaries of the investigated system which includes all stages of the life cycle of an oil-and-gas well: site preparation, rigging up, well drilling, testing, rigging down, assembly of production equipment, well development, well operation, closing-in, well decommissioning. The inventory of single processes of the production system was carried out. It gives a possibility to identify incoming and outgoing elementary flows at each stage. The histograms to determine the power and diversity of incoming and outgoing flows have been built. The approximate duration of each stage is given. This duration makes it possible to estimate the exposure time of single processes and to identify the potential effects on the environment. The most resource-consuming stages have been established. They are drilling, rigging up, rigging down, and decommissioning of wells. Based on to the results of analytical studies of the outgoing flows, the stages with the greatest diversity and flow capacity are established. The potential risk of hazardous environmental emergencies during the life cycle of the investigated facility is determined. The obtained data give a possibility to start researching those processes and / or equipment with which there is intense movement of flows with significant effects on the environment, as well as to develop innovative technical solutions and improve technological processes to reduce the harmful effects on the environment. The conducted research determines a number of advantages of the life cycle assessment methodology for improving the indicators of eco-efficiency. The advantages include a systematic study of the effects of the activities, the multivariate analysis, the identification of the potential for the reduction of impacts and constant improvement throughout the life cycle.