Top-down quantification of methane emissions reliably from oil and gas operations is increasingly crucial but challenging. Many new technologies are appearing that claim to offer solutions, but they vary widely in their actual field performance, cost and broad applicability.
Operators need to evaluate and test different technologies, which can be time-consuming and complex. Once a technology has been selected for use, then typically field trials follow before wider introduction to the operation.
This process takes considerable time and effort, and frequently requires extensive learning by the teams involved.
This paper will share some of the learnings made by the users and technology provider in the assessment and global introduction of a drone-based methane emissions detection, localisation and quantification technology. There will be a particular focus on practical, operational considerations for such introductions to help accelerate the ongoing efforts of others interested in implementing emissions quantification technologies.
Case studies from Australia and further afield (both onshore and offshore) will be used to illustrate key points within the paper which include the value of third-party technology validation, consistency across multiple operations and scalability/availability of services.

Tackling methane emissions from fossil fuel operations represents one of the best near- and medium-term opportunities for limiting the effects of climate change. Over the last few years independent methane studies have challenged the accuracy and completeness of publicly disclosed emissions estimates. To address this, new methane reporting frameworks have been developed and refined to support credible disclosures relating to methane performance. More recently, initiatives have been announced to facilitate greater transparency and accuracy in the embodied methane emissions of globally traded energy products across the supply chain. Central to all methane emissions accounting frameworks and disclosure initiatives are key principles linked to measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV).
Woodside has taken specific actions to measure and reduce its methane emissions and is developing a pathway to embed ongoing and sustainable measurements technologies. As a signatory to the Oil and Gas Climate Institute’s Aiming for ‘Near Zero’ initiative, this pathway is necessary to be able to communicate mitigation activities and meet the transparency expectations of its stakeholders. Previously, Woodside discussed the management and valuation of methane reductions, this paper will describe the approach taken to develop specific measurement pathways including (i) the purpose of the pathway, (ii) measurement technology attributes and (iii) the mapping of use cases to technology pilots in a curated approach. The pilots considered include a variety of technologies such as satellite, aerial, drone, handheld and continuous monitoring which can form part of a curated multi-scale approach to MMRV across its portfolio of assets.

The LNG sector relies extensively on gas turbines for on-site power generation and to drive rotating equipment. They provide an efficient and reliable source of energy for LNG operations, including in remote locations.
In Australia, with upcoming changes to the Safeguard Mechanism, there is an increased focus on Scope 1 emissions, so management and targeted reduction is a priority to reduce liabilities. Despite technology advancements, gas turbines remain one of the largest CO2 emissions sources in LNG production facilities. Also in Australia, many facilities are not grid-connected, meaning that displacement of Scope 1 emissions through renewable electricity sourcing is a challenge.
To develop deeper cuts in Scope 1 emissions, one solution is to deploy post-combustion carbon capture and storage (CCS) on existing gas turbines, with the potential to reduce associated emissions by over 90%.
Globally, a number of LNG facilities are already deploying CCS to permanently store reservoir CO2 from the LNG processing trains. Australian LNG facilities in a number of cases are located in close proximity to potential CO2 storage reservoirs, meaning that a coordinated approach to both reservoir and post-combustion CO2 should be considered when sizing pipelines, shipping systems and storage wells to optimise and leverage the required investment.
This paper will outline the technological, economic and policy aspects of integrating both reservoir post-combustion CCS on LNG facilities, including barriers and opportunities for deployment. It will discuss new developments and enablers for CCS to be more widely deployed at LNG production sites.

The paper’s objective is to present the advantages of utilising Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) studies as a decision-making tool for the deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), by providing detailed and quantifiable CCS rates of the analysed design concept.
The study methodology was to predict carbon capture rates with high confidence for a number of compression and dehydration train design concepts. This allowed the operator to make decisions on the most cost-efficient design while having a confident understanding about the design-specific carbon capture potentials.
The most favourable CCS concept was then combined with the existing LNG plant RAM model and production profile for a detailed analysis of remaining daily CO2 venting rates as result of potential CCS outages.
The RAM models are based on generic and proven reliability data and included a level of detail that insured a very reliable prediction of exact Carbon capture rates.
Besides analysing and comparing the design concept results as system availability, the CCS concept was analysed for its carbon capture deliverability. This provided the operator with a high confidence of average as well as monthly CO2 capture and venting rates for any given CO2 production profile.
The application of RAM for CCS and other energy sustainability projects, has proven to be a powerful tool allowing operators to make informed decisions toward achieving net-zero efficiently. RAM studies provide operators with an accurate and long-term prediction of their carbon footprint, when analysed in combination with their energy portfolio.

The paper’s objective is to present the advantages of utilising Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) studies as a decision-making tool for the deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), by providing detailed and quantifiable CCS rates of the analysed design concept.
The study methodology was to predict carbon capture rates with high confidence for a number of compression and dehydration train design concepts. This allowed the operator to make decisions on the most cost-efficient design while having a confident understanding about the design-specific carbon capture potentials.
The most favourable CCS concept was then combined with the existing LNG plant RAM model and production profile for a detailed analysis of remaining daily CO2 venting rates as result of potential CCS outages.
The RAM models are based on generic and proven reliability data and included a level of detail that insured a very reliable prediction of exact Carbon capture rates.
Besides analysing and comparing the design concept results as system availability, the CCS concept was analysed for its carbon capture deliverability. This provided the operator with a high confidence of average as well as monthly CO2 capture and venting rates for any given CO2 production profile.
The application of RAM for CCS and other energy sustainability projects, has proven to be a powerful tool allowing operators to make informed decisions toward achieving net-zero efficiently. RAM studies provide operators with an accurate and long-term prediction of their carbon footprint, when analysed in combination with their energy portfolio.

The LNG industry stands at the cusp of a transformation driven by the climate imperative. Focusing on the Middle Arm Industrial Precinct, this paper shows how CO2 emissions are being reduced in a world-class LNG asset through end-to-end value chain optimisation against three key emissions drivers.
1. A new breed of electrified LNG facility that could deliver a ~90% reduction in CO2 intensity with sufficient renewable firmed imported power.
2. Leveraging potential partnerships in upstream renewable power, hydrogen supply, and downstream carbon capture and storage (CCS), can de-risk assets from upstream supply uncertainty by providing alternative pathways to medium-term emissions reduction.
3. Targeted portfolio options that can position the Australian LNG industry as a low-carbon leader. A strategic pathway is proposed to implement 'avoid and mitigate' options, focusing on those opportunities rendering the most significant return on investment at a ramping carbon price.
These innovative strategies collectively articulate a roadmap for a sustainable future in the LNG industry, underlining Australia's potential to become a global low-carbon LNG leader.

The LNG industry stands at the cusp of a transformation driven by the climate imperative. Focusing on the Middle Arm Industrial Precinct, this paper shows how CO2 emissions are being reduced in a world-class LNG asset through end-to-end value chain optimisation against three key emissions drivers.
1. A new breed of electrified LNG facility that could deliver a ~90% reduction in CO2 intensity with sufficient renewable firmed imported power.
2. Leveraging potential partnerships in upstream renewable power, hydrogen supply, and downstream carbon capture and storage (CCS), can de-risk assets from upstream supply uncertainty by providing alternative pathways to medium-term emissions reduction.
3. Targeted portfolio options that can position the Australian LNG industry as a low-carbon leader. A strategic pathway is proposed to implement 'avoid and mitigate' options, focusing on those opportunities rendering the most significant return on investment at a ramping carbon price.
These innovative strategies collectively articulate a roadmap for a sustainable future in the LNG industry, underlining Australia's potential to become a global low-carbon LNG leader.