A joint field study between the B.C. government and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers is resulting in a more accurate accounting of greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector. This study is part of a larger update of the measurement methods on a series of emissions sources for B.C.'s large industrial reporting requirement.

The study was prompted by concerns about the reliability of GHG emissions data provided by the manufacturers of pneumatic devices, which are common instruments at well sites and along pipelines that use pressurized gas to control processes.

The study found more methane gas is being released from pneumatic devices than has been previously calculated, which will result in total GHG emissions reported in B.C. being upwardly adjusted by 0.6 per cent from the current 62.2 megatonnes. The upwards adjustment in oil and gas sector specific emissions would be about four per cent from the current 10.0 megatonnes.

According to the results of the study, GHG emissions from pneumatic devices are about 70 per cent higher than reported currently. By understanding the true rate of methane released from these instruments, industry can more accurately report its GHG emissions without the need for redundant metering devices.

The results of this field study demonstrate the B.C. government's commitment to working in co-operation with the oil and gas sector to improve the accuracy of GHG emissions reported.

The study and background material can be viewed at: www.env.gov.bc.ca/cas/mitigation/ggrcta/reporting-regulation/pneumatics and www.scek.ca/projects/complete

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834