An Approach to Natural Gas Valorisation Opportunities Screening Along the Decarbonisation Path

Abstract

Evolving energy needs and the global energy transition call for proper evaluation of how Natural Gas could support a Decarbonisation path, considering Natural Gas well recognised contribution to GHG emission reduction approaching the ambitious Green World. However, the main question is how gas resources can be properly delivered to satisfy a wide range of markets and usages considering that fundamental driver is the goal of reducing carbon footprint. A methodology was developed, named Gas Master Plan (GMP), which is an integrated study with a novel view, looking to synergic opportunities among energy sources while defining economically sustainable business models and meeting Decarbonisation targets. A Gas Master Plan is a multidisciplinary study assessing the best valorisation routes for Natural Gas resources in a specified country or geographical region. This kind of study analyses gas and energy supply/demand balance, understanding current and future markets and looks for adequate destinations, check existing infrastructures and further possible developments carried by Local Governments or private entities, identify potential gas production for all the involved resources, business modelling, understanding the benefits to the global energy transition targets that such resources could deliver and screening monetization opportunities under a strategic plan view. Thus, a GMP is not just an analysis of upstream volumes to verify whether they match commitments and still fit in their future development plans but it is company-wide joint effort to gather ideas, proposals, topics or issues to be addressed and possible solutions. Broadly speaking resources considered in a typical GMP would be: those under an exploration phase, those just discovered for which a proper development has to be realised, those already in production but for which new market opportunities can be scouted in order to improve their benefit on the energy transition paths while seeking further economic returns. The primary result is to develop a strategy to optimize present production and the development and valorisation of future gas assets, identifying the related GHG profile for each opportunity, supporting the decision-making process on new/future gas initiatives with a coherent plan. The resulting outcomes and conclusions may address specific topics on the short to medium term, like associate to a gas field the proper development project to cover gas and energy commercial demand, or set targets achievable on the medium to long term like supporting a low carbon footprint growth in the energy sector and promoting gas-based industries.