Abstract
TOTAL is strongly committed in reducing the flaring and improving the energy efficiency of its exploration and production (E&P) operations: commitment of no continuous production flaring in new projects since year 2000, joining GGFR in 2004, strong objective of flaring reduction (after having achieved a 40% flaring reduction from 1998 to 2005 while the production increased significantly), as well as greenhouse gases (GHG) and energy efficiency internal targets.
The reduction of continuous flaring is the aim of several projects under studies even when there is no gas market. Furthermore, Energy Assessments have been conducted on E&P sites representing about half of TOTAL E&P's fuel gas consumption, to detect opportunities to optimize the energy efficiency and define action plans for the implementation of these opportunities. In addition to this, the company has developed a guidebook gathering all known technical best practices, leading to GHG emissions reduction.
This publication gives highlights from this guidebook, in particular practices to quantify, categorise and actually reduce the flaring and venting, as well as practices to evaluate energy efficiency and optimize it. Examples are given from actual gains obtained by applying those practices.
In parallel to these efforts on existing facilities, actions are also applied to the new projects: Environmental General Specifications have been recently updated in order to reflect the best available technologies and optimum design practices. The paper highlights these specifications, with examples of what is considered in Total as mandatory or recommended for new projects design, to minimize emissions of GHG, and to increase energy efficiency.
Finally, the GHG and energy efficiency assessment which is performed for new projects, during the conceptual or pre-project studies, which is another tool to encourage the use of Best Available Technologies, is described.
