Continuous Energy Efficiency and Green House Gas Emission Surveillance and Control

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to document Shell's experiences and learnings in the effort to better track and reduce Green House Gases (GHG) and improve Energy Efficiency in our downstream manufacturing and upstream production operations. The paper is based on Case Studies from various Operating Units in Shell upstream and downstream operations, as well as outlining further development plans.In Shell operations we seek to minimize GHG emissions by continuously monitoring, displaying and reporting associated Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) and quickly alerting operators of changes to trigger remedial intervention. Reduction of GHG emission is also achieved by improving cross validated and mass balanced tracking of our process streams. This ensures that manufacturing and production processes are operated efficiently and transparently.Continuous GHG monitoring also allows automatic compilation of emissions by source which can then be automatically reported as part of the normal daily reporting cycle. The resulting emissions figures and associated KPI's are then prominently displayed in the Daily Production Report. The daily emissions totals are also stored and trended to flag more subtle and/or gradual changes. In this way GHG emissions data and performance information are made available to operations staff and management to facilitate awareness and corrective actions when appropriate.

Architecture and Implementation of an Optimization Decision Support System

“…• Gas volumes (that vary depending on contaminant contents) 2) • CO 2 , H 2 S, C 5+ handling • Intake pressure • Plant trips 1) • Liquid handling capacity: condensate volumes and tank levels 1) The system does not explicitly take into consideration equipment status or equipment constraints, but the operator can manually adjust the overall, current platform capacity based on the latest operational information.…”

“…If one were to prefer condensates, the factors could be reversed, and the optimizer would render corresponding results. o maximize condensate revenue while meeting gas demand at maxim achievable gas revenue (value) without gas borrowing, whilst ensuring that CO 2 …”

“…• Reducing logistics exposure: after introduction of PU and 'well intervention by exception', a Shell operator successfully eliminated one boat, saving some US$1mln per annum; • Emissions Reduction [2]: PU estimates provide a real If correlated to plant output, the cost of emissions can be weighed a optimized.…”

Successful Real-Time Optimization of a Highly Complex, Integrated Gas System: Intelligent Energy in the Real World

“…• Use of chemicals: PU continuously calculates required ppm of chemicals injected based on well flow rate estimates and advises operator accordingly; • Reducing FTEs: applying of Real-Time Optimization has lead to the reduction of a team involved in optimization and allocation [3]; • Reducing logistics exposure: after introduction of PU and 'well intervention by exception', a Shell operator successfully eliminated one boat, saving some US$1mln per annum; • Emissions Reduction [2]: PU estimates provide a real-time handle on flaring and fuel gas consumption levels. If correlated to plant output, the cost of emissions can be weighed against the output of the plant and optimized.…”

Remote Operations—A Remote Possibility, or the Way We Do Things ‘Round Here?

“…At the end of the project, twenty (20) production facilities were renovated (ten [10] facilities were combined to five (5) double size facilities). Hence, the operator decided to make all production locations capable of fully automatic, alarm free start-up with most routine (formerly manual) tasks automated or performed remotely from a centralized production control center (CCR) operating 24/7 by applying an operating philosophy of "minimum intervention operations" and "business optimization".…”