Assessment of energy-related environmental impacts during the implementation of promising projects for the development of deposits in the Arctic territories of the Russian eastern regions

The ecological aspects of the functioning of energy facilities in the Arctic zones of the eastern regions of Russia are of increasing importance for the strategic interests of the country, on the one hand, and due to the specific features of territories with a weak ability to restore the natural environment, on the other hand. The studies carried out at the Energy Systems Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences revealed the fact that the current environmental situation in the eastern regions of the Arctic is unfavorable. Promising projects for the development of mineral deposits are associated with an increase in the consumption of all types of energy resources. In addition, this will require intensive development of the energy sector: from the expansion of existing power facilities to the construction of new ones using associated petroleum gas, and possibly LNG. In general, the implementation of projects will lead to the following distribution of the total emission of pollutants from the energy sector: 47% — the Taimyr-Turukhan zone, 30% — the North Yakutsk zone with a predominant contribution from coal-fired boilers, and, accordingly, 23% of all emissions will enter the atmosphere of the Chukotka zone, where coal-fired boiler houses also prevail. With the implementation of advanced development projects, CO2 emissions will also increase from 7 to 16.6 million tons with their predominance in the Taimyr-Turukhan zone (11,9 million tons). Thus, the assessment of the environmental impact from the development of promising deposits in the Arctic territories of the eastern regions of Russia has shown that the emissions of pollutants will increase by 1.6-1.8 times, and those of carbon dioxide by 2.2-2.3 times. Given that the particulate matter will remain the main impurity in the composition of pollutants (up to 35-37%) due to the existing power facilities, coal-fired thermal power plants and boiler houses need a large-scale modernization of the collection equipment. Sulfur dioxides are becoming another predominant impurity, mainly due to newly commissioned facilities running on associated petroleum gas. Therefore, it is necessary to envisage measures to reduce them.

Technological Features of Associated Petroleum Gas Miscible Injection MGI in Order to Increase Oil Recovery at a Remote Group of Fields in Western Siberia

The problem of associated petroleum gas utilization is especially urgent for fields located far from infrastructure facilities for raw gas transportation and treatment. For such fields, alternative methods of gas utilization, especially gas re-injection, are becoming relevant. The re-injection options include: injection into underground reservoir for storage (if there are reservoirs suitable for injection near the field), injection into a gas cap, if any, or injection into a productive reservoir. The latter method allows, along with solving the problem of gas disposal, to increase oil recovery. This study describes an example of miscible gas injection into the reservoir at the Chatylkinskoye field, the infrastructure assumptions which make this option a better one versus a selling option, and the features of a gas treatment and injection process.

Application of Air Cooled Heat Exchangers for Condensation of Natural Gas Liquids from Associated Petroleum Gas

The paper describes a method for increasing a yield of stock-tank oil by reducing liquid carryover with associated petroleum gas at crude processing facilities (CPF) of one oil field in Iraq by cooling the feed stream in air cooled heat exchangers. An integrated model of the field has been built consisting of: models of well tubings, models of wellhead chokes, an integrated model of oil gathering network, a model of air cooled heat exchangers, a model of material and heat balance of CPF. The air cooler performance in oil treatment has been asessed in accordance with ambient temperature profile. The main advantages and disadvantages of using the proposed scheme are shown in the article. Considered in the article the air cooler has been originally designed and manufactured for use in another field. Therefore, one of the tasks was to validate the applicability of that air cooler unit in the oil treatment process for a field with facilities in-place. The novelty of the study lies in the non-standard use of an air cooled heat exchangers in the oil treatment. The results of simulation of using air cooling units in oil treatment and the actual operation of air coolers showed increased output of crude oil at the CPF at low capital and operating costs.

Technology for the production of carbon nanomaterials by pyrolysis

The processes of oil production and preparation involve the formation of a mixture of various hydrocarbon gases, otherwise called associated petroleum gas. Today most of associated petroleum gas produced is burned, causing damage to the natural environment, or used as an energy supply for technological equipment. At the same time, associated petroleum gas can be used as a valuable raw material to produce various chemicals. In the article, the existing methods of APG utilization are considered, and the relatively simplest and most environmentally friendly pyrolysis method is proposed. A comparative analysis of the methods of mixing raw materials was carried out, as a result of which it was revealed that the mechanical and vibration methods are considered the most rational. An experimental installation for processing petroleum associated gas by pyrolysis is presented. The results of experimental studies of the production of carbon fiber nanomaterials and hydrogen are presented. Gas (CH4) obtained by utilization of hydrocarbon-containing waste (oil sludge) was used as a feedstock. The average yield of the target products was 81 l/h for hydrogen and 325.5 g/h for nanofiber carbon.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION FROM COMBUSTION OF ASSOCIATED PETROLEUM GAS IN RUSSIA

The average weighted long-term component composition of associated petroleum gas burned at the fields in Russia is obtained, where the volume fractions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) make up 0.8 and 66.4%, respectively. Based on it, the national emission factors of greenhouse gases from the flaring of associated petroleum gas are developed: the values are equal to 2.76 103 t CO2 and 0.0155 103 t CH4 per 1 106 m3 of the gas burnt. The calculations based on the emission factors led to the 37% increase in total equivalent emission of CO2 and CH4 as compared to the calculations based on the IPCC emission factors. The use of the national emission factors increases the reliability of the estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and the evaluation of their impact on climate.

PROBLEMS OF COMPLEX DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESOURCE REGIONS, FOR EXAMPLE THE UTILIZATION OF ASSOCIATED PETROLEUM GAS

The paper identifies the main promising directions and conditions for increasing the level of efficiency in the use of associated petroleum gas in Russia. It is shown that the state strategy aimed at ensuring a 95% level of APG utilization is feasible in the development of a comprehensive system of incentives for companies, primarily in the use of the latest technologies and equipment for APG processing, as well as in fulfilling the requirements of licensing agreements.