Associated gas flaring rates in the US Permian Shale Basin have increased over the past year.
Gas burning levels in the largest shale oil basin in the United States of America reached their highest levels in three years last July, which may postpone the achievement of environmental targets in the state of Texas, according to what was published by the agency. Reuters.
Severe heat waves during the past summer season caused an escalation in the burning of associated gas in the Permian Basin, according to what the specialized energy platform reviewed.
Extreme heat waves in Texas resulted in a 22% increase in associated gas flaring in the Permian Basin shale during the 12 months ending in September 2023, analytics firm Enverus said in a research note.
The largest shale oil basin in the United States
“Enviros” explained that satellite data on the largest shale oil basin in the United States showed that the burning of unwanted gas reached its highest levels in 3 years in July 2023, as a result of the intense heat wave that the state of Texas was exposed to during the last summer season. .
Associated gas flaring in the US Permian Basin – Image from Bloomberg
The extreme heat led to many demands from the state’s network operator to rationalize electricity consumption during the summer season. Demand reached an all-time high last August, and held near these high levels for most of September.
The Midland Basin saw burning rates 1.7 times higher than Delaware from May to July 2023.
The Enviros research note added that increased rates of associated gas flaring in the Permian Basin and other shale basins will make it difficult for the production sector to achieve environmental, social and governance goals in the short term.
A report issued by the company last May stated that the burning of associated gas in the largest shale oil basin in the United States is expected to increase during the next year.
Flaring gas in America
Oil and gas companies mainly burn associated gas and release it into the air during extraction or drilling operations. It is associated with the extracted oil, but the lack of the necessary infrastructure to transport it or its low price reduce the economic feasibility of benefiting from and selling it. What drives companies to burn it.
Flaring of associated gas supplies occurs as a by-product and is not a primary product, or intentional burning if there are excess supplies that are difficult to sell and benefit from for the same reasons. The flaring of associated gas in the Permian Basin is an example of this.
During burning, methane – the main component of natural gas – leaks into the atmosphere, joining carbon dioxide emissions resulting from drilling, extraction and burning, and increasing the rate at which the oil and gas industries contribute to global warming.
The rules for burning gas in America witnessed a legal controversy that continued for several years. The administration of former President Barack Obama had previously prepared guidelines related to methane and its emissions.
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2023-10-22 17:44:19
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