QATARenergy lng ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
THE JETTY BOIL-OFF GAS (JBOG) FACILITY
The JBOG Recovery facility, which commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2014, is the largest environmental project of its kind in Qatar, with an investment of approximately USD1 billion. This facility collects boil-off gas from LNG ships and compresses it at a central facility. The compressed gas is then sent to LNG producers to be consumed as fuel, or converted into LNG. Flaring due to JBOG operations has been reduced by more than 90%, relative to the flaring baseline of 2012. In terms of reducing emissions of GHGs, the JBOG facility offsets more than 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per annum. In total, the facility saves 29 billion standard cubic feet of gas per year through flaring reduction which is enough to power more than 300,000 homes.
GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
QatarEnergy LNG has developed a pioneering GHG management strategy, which is divided into three phases:
Phase 1 involved:
- Understanding the GHG issue, its context and implications and developing a GHG management position.
- Analysing the potential impact of climate change on QatarEnergy LNG's operations, and reviewing opportunities to reduce GHG emissions.
Phase 2 involved:
- Preparing procedures, manuals and detailed externally verified emissions inventories of all QatarEnergy LNG facilities (LNG Trains, Laffan Refinery, Ras Laffan Terminal Operations).
- Benchmarking / establishing key performance indicators.
Phase 3 covered:
- Carbon reduction opportunities and abatement techniques via sustainability assessments and engineering studies; and
- Life Cycle Assessment for GHG emissions which also helped us benchmark QatarEnergy LNG with other LNG companies.
- Understanding the wider context of the global benefits of LNG.
WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
QatarEnergy LNG has established sustainable waste management and waste reduction as key corporate objectives in line with QNV 2030. The rapid expansion of QatarEnergy LNG's operating facilities has resulted in an increase in overall waste generation rates, including hazardous waste streams.
QatarEnergy LNG's journey toward sustainable waste management underwent significant changes, commencing with the formation of an effective inter-disciplinary Waste Management Team (WMT) in 2014, improvement of onsite waste management practices and procedures, and the establishment of sustainable recycling and disposal pathways for our key waste streams. QatarEnergy LNG is investing in upgrading its existing waste management facilities to expand our capacity for safe and sound handling, segregation, and storage of various types of waste generated by the Company.
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
QatarEnergy LNG's goals are aligned with those of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) in minimising wastewater discharge and maximising the efficient use of water.
The Company has invested in a comprehensive Wastewater Reduction and Reuse (WRR) programme to achieve three key objectives in accordance with MECC's goals. WRR's first objective is to reduce wastewater injection into deep well formations. The second objective is to recycle water using advanced technologies – effectively treating wastewater for further use, thereby reducing intake of desalinated water for industrial operations. Thirdly, to reuse suitable streams of treated water for irrigation. The conceptual approach to treatment uses membrane bio-reactor (MBR) and reverse osmosis (RO) technology. By upgrading our wastewater systems to tertiary systems across our plant operations, QatarEnergy LNG will be able to reuse 65 - 70 percent of its wastewater discharge as polished water for utilities reuse. The reject water obtained post RO has various disposal pathways such as discharged to deep well injections, sent to the Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC) common cooling water channel, or used to meet irrigation needs. Wastewater treatment projects are in progress and expected to be completed between 2017 and 2021 in a phased manner.
AIR EMISSIONS
QatarEnergy LNG recognises the importance of reducing Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs) in the atmosphere, and has established a robust Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programme at the LNG trains, Laffan Refinery, and tank farm facilities. The LDAR programme provides surveillance for VOC components, leading to necessary repairs in identified VOC leakage sources. Improved LDAR monitoring and repair operations led to a substantial reduction in VOC emissions.
FLARE REDUCTION PROGRAMME
QatarEnergy LNG's Flare Management approach minimises flaring while providing operational flexibility and safeguarding asset integrity and process safety.
It comprises of three main pillars:
Enhanced tracking, monitoring and reporting.
Operational source reduction.
Flare reduction capital projects.
Between 2011 and 2016, more than 70% reduction has been achieved in flaring from on-plot LNG facilities.
Jetty Boil-off Gas (JBOG) Recovery facility helps reduce more than 90% flaring from LNG loading operations.
QatarEnergy LNG is a proud winner of the 2012 World Bank Global Gas Flaring Reduction (GGFR) “Excellence in Flaring Reduction" Award GGFR.