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Archive for the ‘climate’ Category

More buzz about Quaise

Posted in climate, drilling, energy, tagged field tests, gyrotron, Nabors Drilling, Quaise Energy, ultradeep geothermal on March 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Given the intermittency, space preemption, aesthetic, and wildlife issues associated with wind and solar power, more attention has been shifting to geothermal energy. Quaise’s plan to tap ultradeep heat resources has been on our radar for several years and has been attracting private funding and a bit of media buzz.

Quaise is exciting not only because of the unlimited energy potential, but because of the fascinating gyrotron technology that vaporizes hard rock and could enable wells to be drilled to depths of 20-30 km and temperatures of >1000° C. Nabors, a leading drilling contractor, is one of the Quaise investors, and will be involved with the test drilling.

Demonstrating the gyrotron technology in the field is a big step up from doing so in the lab. Those of us in the “peanut gallery” are awaiting more definitive information on the lab tests that have been conducted to date and the important field tests, which are scheduled for this year.

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Denmark joins Sweden in dropping the Nord Stream hot potato

Posted in accidents, climate, pipelines, tagged Denmark, germany, investigations, Nord Stream, sabotage, Sweden on February 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Either the investigators were incompetent (unlikely) or the political pressure was too great (likely).

“The investigation has led the authorities to conclude that there was deliberate sabotage of the gas pipelines. However, the assessment is that there are not sufficient grounds to pursue a criminal case in Denmark,” a Copenhagen police statement said.
Reuters

After 17 months of investigation, that’s a pretty lame statement. Will we see their report?

The ball is now in Germany’s court. Should we expect more of the same?

Our June 2023 summary remains unchanged.

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Climate activists vow to protect “Rig at Sunset”😉

Posted in climate, Offshore Energy - General, Uncategorized, tagged art vandalism, climate activists, MMS, Rig at Sunset, USGS on February 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

In light of the surge in art vandalism, admirers of “Rig at Sunset” have expressed concern about this priceless and symbolic masterpiece.😉

Rest assured that “Rig at Sunset” is not being targeted. Climate activists believe the painting is disturbingly visionary and is thus socially important. Even those who are less appreciative of great artwork are reluctant to damage “Rig at Sunset,” fearing that their vandalism might actually improve its quality. So friends of this beloved masterpiece have nothing to fear! 😉

If you are unfamiliar with “Rig at Sunset,” here is a brief summary of the history:

“Rig at Sunset” was painted nearly 50 years ago by a US Geological Survey (USGS) employee who chose to remain anonymous. Initially, the masterpiece was presented to USGS (later MMS) engineers and scientists who had made important contributions to the offshore oil and gas program. Understandably, the intended recipients were so humbled by the magnificence of the painting that they could not accept it. As the painting grew in value and international prominence, framed copies were presented to retirees and the original painting was kept at a secure, undisclosed location.

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OCS wind program: unrealistic power generation deadlines should not be the focus

Posted in climate, energy policy, Offshore Wind, tagged BOEM, Brad Kneaper, Confederated Tribes, Heather Mann, James Watt, Midwater Trawlers Coop, Oregon wind on February 21, 2024| 1 Comment »

As concerns about wind leasing mount, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the rush to hold auctions may not be in the best long-term interest of the wind program. The primary objective should be cost-effective and responsible development, not gigawatt deadlines. The administration’s vision for wind energy capacity, particularly the 15 GW goal for floating turbines by 2035, is unlikely to be achieved and rushing the process is not helpful.

The current wind program is reminiscent of James Watt’s ill-fated approach to oil and gas leasing. Watt’s “lease-everything now” agenda had the opposite effect of that which was intended, the result being that 96.3% of our offshore land is now off-limits to oil and gas leasing.

Affected parties in Oregon have not held back in voicing their displeasure with BOEM’s wind energy announcement.

BOEM wants offshore wind come hell or high water and they don’t care who they harm to get it.
Heather Mann, executive director of Midwater Trawlers Cooperative

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw tribal council unanimously passed a resolution opposing offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast.

The federal government states that it has ‘engaged’ with the Tribe, but that engagement has amounted to listening to the Tribe’s concerns and ignoring them and providing promises that they may be dealt with at some later stage of the process. The Tribe will not stand by while a project is developed that causes it more harm than good – this is simply green colonialism.
Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw tribal council Chair Brad Kneaper

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Saluting natural gas

Posted in climate, energy policy, natural gas, Offshore Energy - General, tagged GHG emissions, LNG export pause, natural gas, offshore gas on January 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »

In the wake of the decision to “pause” LNG export approvals, it’s important for us to also pause and reflect on the natural gas revolution.

Gas now accounts for 40% of our power generation.

The gas boom’s economic and environmental benefits are compelling. Greenhouse gas emissions currently get most of the attention. In that regard, methane (CH4) is a hydrogen transporter that emits far less CO2 than other fossil fuels when burned.

Less attention has been given to natural gas’s other important air quality advantages – low NOx. SO2, and particulate emissions. These emissions have greater local significance from a human health standpoint. Those who have ridden a bike behind a natural gas powered bus have no doubt experienced the natural gas advantage firsthand.

Other environmental considerations particularly favor offshore natural gas when compared to energy alternatives. These include low well and facility density, no groundwater pollution risk, and minimal risk to wildlife.

Compiled below are links to BOE posts on natural gas issues and advantages.

2/4/2010: Natural gas bonanza – why aren’t we celebrating?
10/12/2010: There are always tradeoffs
3/3/2011: Natural gas vehicles gaining momentum? Role for offshore gas?
6/23/2011: Shale gas and international intrigue
12/6/2021: Opportunity lost
12/14/2021: EQT makes compelling case for natural gas
12/16/2021: The decline in GoM nonassociated gas production and why we care
2/11/2022: It’s a good thing most US shale production is on private land
3/28/2022: Remember when the US was strictly an LNG importer?
4/3/2022: LNG projects should give a boost to Gulf of Mexico natural gas production
4/13/2022: Reminder about the massive natural gas resources in the eastern US
8/9/2022: Shale gas production, mostly on private lands in TX, PA, and LA, made this possible
1/11/2023: Saluting the contrarian GoM producers: 11 operators are producing more nonassociated (gas-well gas) than associated (oil-well gas)
9/19/2023: Mandates vs. energy realities

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Sale 261: Repsol’s nearshore Texas bids should be rejected without delay

Posted in Offshore Energy - General, Gulf of Mexico, climate, CCS, tagged BOEM, carbon disposal, Exxon, Lease Sale 261, Repsol, Texas GLO on January 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

The above map shows the offshore carbon disposal leases acquired by Repsol from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the adjacent Federal tracts Repsol bid on at OCS Lease Sale 261. There should be absolutely no confusion regarding Repsol intentions at Sale 261. They plan to develop a large CO2 disposal hub offshore Corpus Christi and bid improperly at an OCS oil and gas lease sale to support that objective.

Perhaps blinded by visions of “a stream of U.S. government grants, followed by generous tax credits for every ton of carbon stored,” Repsol (Sale 261) and Exxon (Sales 257 and 259) have made a mockery of the OCS leasing process and the regulations that guide it. The Repsol bids should be promptly rejected.

So what about the Exxon nearshore Texas leases that have already been issued? Given that Exxon misled the Federal government and improperly acquired carbon disposal leases at an oil and gas lease sale, those bids should be cancelled pursuant to 30 CFR § 556.1102:

(c) BOEM may cancel your lease if it determines that the lease was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation. You will have notice and an opportunity to be heard before BOEM cancels your lease.

While Exxon’s oil production increases in the Permian Basin and offshore Guyana are impressive, is it not hypocritical for Exxon and other major producers to capitalize on the capture and disposal of emissions associated with the consumption of their products? Is it not just a bit unsavory for oil companies to cash in on (and virtue signal about) carbon collection and disposal at the public’s expense? Perhaps companies that believe oil and gas production is harmful to society should be reducing production rather than engaging in enterprises intended to sustain it.

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October GoM oil production held near 2 million bopd. Two consecutive years with no tropical storm impacts.

Posted in climate, Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Energy - General, tagged 2 million bopd, Gulf of Mexico oil production, no tropical storm impacts on December 29, 2023| Leave a Comment »

EIA reports October production of 1.959 million bopd. September production was revised down from 2.000 to 1.999 million bopd, a very slight but symbolically significant change. Foul play? 😉

For the past 2 years, no tropical storms have significantly impacted Gulf of Mexico production. Don’t expect this to be reported elsewhere 😉

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COP28 Kumbaya moment vs. economic reality

Posted in climate, energy policy, tagged Christyan Malek, COP 28, Dan Yergin, energy transition, fossil fuels, JPMorgan, Kumbaya, peak oil on December 15, 2023| Leave a Comment »

COP28:

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) closed today with an agreement that signals the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition, underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance.
UN Climate Change News, 12/13/2023

Real world:

“That intrinsic demand that is not visible is so significant that we don’t see demand peaking – I don’t think we’ll see [oil] demand peaking in our lifetimes,” he said. “Particularly as demand growth in [emerging markets] continues to surprise the upside.”
Christyan Malek, JPMorgan’s top energy strategist

The 19th century is known as the “century of coal,” but, as the technology scholar Vaclav Smil has noted, not until the beginning of the 20th century did coal actually overtake wood as the world’s No. 1 energy source. Moreover, past energy transitions have also been “energy additions”—one source atop another. Oil, discovered in 1859, did not surpass coal as the world’s primary energy source until the 1960s, yet today the world uses almost three times as much coal as it did in the ’60s.
Dan Yergin

You be the judge.

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What’s next for OCS flaring and venting?

Posted in climate, flaring and venting, Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Energy - General, tagged gas flaring, methane, OCS Lands Act, ONRR, venting on December 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Regardless of one’s opinion about the causes of climate change, minimizing methane emissions makes good safety, conservation, and environmental sense. The emerging international consensus on methane emission reductions thus merits broad industry and governmental support.

Because of the resource conservation mandate in the OCS Lands Act, minimizing the waste of natural gas has been a point of emphasis in the US offshore program for 50+ years. If you couldn’t utilize or market the natural gas, your project wouldn’t be approved. This requirement delayed the entry of some floating production systems into the Gulf of Mexico, but the pipeline network ultimately expanded to support deepwater development with floating units. Those associated with the offshore program are rightfully proud of their success in prohibiting the waste of gas and minimizing flaring and venting.

Despite the historical commitment to restricting flaring and venting, the data suggest that further improvement may be needed. The concerns listed below are based on the compilation and review of flaring and venting data that operators are required to report to ONRR.

The % of US OCS gas produced that is flared or vented is trending upward (first chart below).
Both the gas flaring and venting volumes were higher in 2022 (vs. 2021) despite lower gas production.
2022 oil well gas (OWG) flaring volume increased by 18% vs. 2022 despite nearly identical total oil production
More regulator/industry transparency on flaring episodes is needed, particularly in light of the PNAS paper and the June 2022 Inspector General Report.
In particular, there should be a process for explaining large spikes in monthly flaring and venting volumes. Were these spikes associated with production startups, major compressor issues, administrative corrections, or other factors?
Venting, which is a more significant environmental concern than flaring, increased by 407 million cu ft (21%) in 2023 vs. 2022. Although the overall venting trend is still favorable (second chart), the 2022 jump should be explained.
The previously noted inconsistencies in flaring data sets remain a concern.
The fact that more gas-well gas (GWG) is being vented then flared implies that most such venting is on older shelf platforms (where there are more gas wells).
As summarized in the third chart below, deepwater facility methane emissions are consistent with the reported inventories, but shelf emissions in State and Federal waters differ significantly.
Regulating venting from older shelf platforms is difficult. About 15 years ago, the Federal government (MMS) considered requiring that older production platforms be retrofitted with flare booms, but safety, space limitations, and cost considerations precluded such a regulation. Instead, additional flaring/venting limits, and measurement and reporting requirements were imposed. What is next for these facilities?
Compiling and posting flaring and venting data should be a priority for BOEM/BSEE.