Amidst global push towards sustainable future, efforts to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards net zero across all upstream assets and new developments are expected to intensify. This task has proven to be far more challenging for existing, aging offshore facilities both technically and commercially. This paper will share various fit-for-purpose options identified through rigorous front-end loading (FEL) processes which can be implemented on existing, aging facilities to accelerate and realize sustainable GHG emissions reduction efforts across all business value chain. Essence of decarbonization is in the reduction of major hydrocarbon emissions. Apart from carbon tax inclusion, proactive directives in zero continuous hydrocarbon venting and flaring in upstream facilities while maximizing renewable energy applications has already set the momentum. Existing, aging facilities are in dire need of similar sustainable carbon abatement strategies. Supported with introduction of a basic yardstick for techno-commercial assessment, up to 8 concepts were explored through feasibility study at FEL assessing the extent of brownfield modification, emissions reduction efficiency and associated costs for carbon abatement at legacy facilities. Concepts range from cost-efficient facilities conversions to CAPEX-intensive gas injection and sequestration solutions. Options with monetization potential such as gas export, floating compressed natural gas (FCNG), condensate recovery system (CRS) and gas liquefaction are within consideration as well. Value improvement beyond facilities design life is influenced by sustainability of solutions introduced. Legacy facilities commonly adopt conventional process design that lean towards venting and flaring, with generally limited flexibility in design improvement. Efforts in emissions reduction is therefore deemed most suitably carried out in both a short- and long-term manner, which is replicable regardless of a facility's age. Short term solution of converting existing vent stacks into flare stacks is projected to be able to significantly reduce GHG emissions up to 70% in the span of 3 years. For monetization opportunities such as pipeline export, CNG, CRS and liquefaction, area development strategy is recommended to establish economy of scale. Leading towards net zero goals, long-term efforts through gas injection and sequestration will be more sustainable as they demonstrate potential of up to 95% GHG emissions reduction within field life. Carbon abatement strategies for existing facilities can be formulated through a weighted-scoring process, guided with a basic yardstick for high level assessment. Ability to synergize carbon abatement with capital projects innovatively to achieve positive economic returns while transitioning into a global environment of sustainability is crucial. Decarbonization efforts especially for existing, aging upstream facilities requires firstly, a strong managerial aspiration in the sustainability agenda; Secondly, expertise of operations to balance life cycle costs against carbon abatement investments. Strategies outlined in this paper share insights on how decarbonization efforts can be streamlined for effective execution towards net zero carbon emissions targets.

Gas fields containing contaminants continue to not only challenge new field development projects, but also existing operations worldwide. Unforeseen variables such as increasing levels of contaminants from existing fields paired with increased sales gas demands, justifies the urgent need of identifying limits and pushing boundaries of existing facilities to handle the operation parameter changes. This study focuses on a debottlenecking study done for an existing operational facilities located at the Caspian Sea area, with an original inlet H2S design of 45 ppmv, to be processed down to < 3.5 ppmv. New sales gas demand requires for the existing facilities to process sour gas from reservoir having a maximum level of 580 ppmv H2S, at a higher continuous sales gas volume. Challenges to achieving this also includes uncertainties due to fluctuations of H2S levels from the reservoirs, with some variations going from <10 ppmv to 300 ppmv H2S coming out from the same well. Discussion will elaborate on challenges in meeting the new sales volume with expected increased in H2S levels from existing wells, and how limitations of existing facilities (Acid Gas Removal Unit, Acid Gas Incinerators and materials sour service compatibility) are addressed to produce a feasible operating envelope, with minimal changes to existing operating facilities. Actual operating data from approximately 5 years of operation was analyzed to determine the feasibility of the AGRU and Incinerator to handle higher H2S levels in feed. This is in anticipation of continuous feed gas volume of 500 MMscfd, at blended H2S levels of between 45 ppm to 162 ppm (worst case scenario). Existing facilities sour materials compatibility analysis are also done to determine the feasibility of the operating envelope. In the analysis, data from actual operating history and new production profiles are plotted against a feasible operating curve developed for the AGRU. The resultant graph gives an indication of the existing AGRU capability to manage incoming increase in gas volume and H2S levels. The analysis also evaluates the impact to the Incinerators, with new emission dispersion simulations done, to ensure operating curve complies with local environmental regulations on emission dispersion. The analyses conclude that the existing facilities is deemed adequate to handle new gas demand, with some curtailment on blended H2S levels to ensure only minimum changes and upgrades are required to existing facilities. The curves developed are hereby used as a reference for operations of the facilities in the future, whilst the methods applied here can be used as a reference for future sour facilities debottlenecking.

Amidst global push towards sustainable energy, efforts to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards net zero across all upstream assets and new developments are expected to intensify. This task has proven to be far more challenging for existing, aging offshore facilities both technically and commercially. This paper will share various fit-for-purpose options identified through rigorous front-end loading (FEL) processes which can be implemented on existing, aging facilities to accelerate and realize sustainable GHG emission reduction efforts across all business value chain. Now an indispensable part of social and environmental responsibility, essence of decarbonization is in the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbon emissions. Apart from carbon tax inclusion in decision making, proactive directives in zero continuous hydrocarbon venting and flaring in upstream facilities while maximizing renewable energy applications has already set the momentum. Beyond that, lies the task of developing sustainable carbon abatement strategies for existing, aging facilities. Up to eight (8) concepts were explored through feasibility study assessing the extent of brownfield modification, emissions reduction, and associated costs. Concepts range from cost-efficient vent to flare conversions to CAPEX-intensive gas injection and sequestration solutions. Options with monetization potential such as floating compressed natural gas (FCNG), condensate recovery system (CRS) and gas liquefaction are within consideration as well. Value improvement beyond facilities design life is influenced by the sustainability of solutions introduced. There are 25 tons of CO2e in every part of methane (CH4) released in vent gas, which is a common design for offshore facilities aged more than 30 years. Efforts in emissions reduction is therefore deemed most suitably carried out in both a short- and long-term manner, which is replicable regardless of a facility's age. Short term, fit-for-purpose solution of converting existing vent stacks into flare stacks with cyclone separator-caisson system is projected to be able to significantly reduce GHG emissions up to 70% in the span of 3 years. Leading towards net zero, mid and long-term efforts through gas injection and sequestration including monetization strategies will be more sustainable as they demonstrate potential of up to 95% GHG emissions reduction within field life. For monetization opportunities such as pipeline export, FCNG, CRS and gas liquefaction, area development strategy is recommended to establish economy of scale. Ability to synergize carbon abatement with capital projects innovatively to achieve positive economic returns while transitioning into a global environment of sustainability is crucial. Decarbonization efforts especially for existing, aging upstream facilities requires firstly, a strong managerial aspiration in the sustainability agenda; Secondly, expertise of operations to balance life cycle costs against carbon abatement investments. Strategies outlined in this paper share insights on how decarbonization efforts can be streamlined for effective execution towards net zero carbon emissions target.

Amidst global push towards sustainable energy, efforts to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards net zero across all upstream assets and new developments are expected to intensify. This task has proven to be far more challenging for existing, aging offshore facilities both technically and commercially. This paper will share various fit-for-purpose options identified through rigorous front-end loading (FEL) processes which can be implemented on existing, aging facilities to accelerate and realize sustainable GHG emission reduction efforts across all business value chain. Essence of decarbonization is in the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbon emissions. Apart from carbon tax inclusion in decision making, proactive directives in zero continuous hydrocarbon venting and flaring in upstream facilities while maximizing renewable energy applications has already set the momentum. Beyond that, lies the task of developing sustainable carbon abatement strategies for existing, aging facilities. Up to eight (8) concepts were explored through feasibility study at FEL assessing the extent of brownfield modification, emissions reduction, and associated costs. Concepts range from cost-efficient vent to flare conversions to CAPEX-intensive gas injection and sequestration solutions. Options with monetization potential such as floating compressed natural gas (FCNG), liquid or condensate recovery system (CRS) and gas liquefaction are within consideration as well. Value improvement beyond facilities design life is influenced by the sustainability of solutions introduced. There are 25 tons of CO2e in every part of methane (CH4) released in vent gas, which is a common design for offshore facilities aged more than 30 years. Efforts in emissions reduction is therefore deemed most suitably carried out in both a short- and long-term manner, which is replicable regardless of a facility's age. Short term, fit-for-purpose solution of converting existing vent stacks into flare stacks with cyclone separator-caisson system is projected to be able to significantly reduce GHG emissions up to 70% in the span of 3 years. Leading towards net zero, mid and long-term efforts through gas injection and sequestration including monetization strategies will be more sustainable as they demonstrate potential of up to 95% GHG emissions reduction within field life. Particularly for monetization opportunities such as pipeline export, CNG, CRS and gas liquefaction, area development strategy is recommended to establish economy of scale. Ability to synergize carbon abatement with capital projects innovatively to achieve positive economic returns while transitioning into a global environment of sustainability is crucial. Decarbonization efforts especially for existing, aging upstream facilities requires firstly, a strong managerial aspiration in the sustainability agenda; Secondly, expertise of operations to balance life cycle costs against carbon abatement investments. Strategies outlined in this paper share insights on how decarbonization efforts can be streamlined for effective execution towards net zero carbon emissions target.