Reducing Emissions in Plant Flaring Operations

Abstract

Since 2006, one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies in the world has actively pushed toward optimization and upgrading of pipelines, refineries and petrochemical plants in China for the purpose of minimizing energy consumption, lowering emissions and maximizing production. Saving energy and reducing emissions are the internal requirements for every division of this major corporation. To achieve the public goals the company set, they issued a five year plan called Methods on Energy and Water Saving Management which was applied to all operating equipment in the 13 company owned oil and gas fields, the 22 refineries and 3 pipeline companies. The plan for the refineries focused on key areas such as improving energy efficiency, utilizing latest technologies and reducing green house gas emissions.1 The company also created a Green Team with the objective of achieving zero injury, zero pollution, and zero accidents for all production facilities. These Green Teams advocated the company's new HSE (Health Safety & Environment) culture by eliminating energy-consuming and highly polluting production equipment and facilities that fell behind in the use of technologically advanced equipment.