Air Emissions and Greenhouse Gases

The OE expectations for Environmental Stewardship require that processes are in place to inventory all emissions, releases, and wastes; to identify natural resources impacted by operations; and to assess, mitigate, and manage significant potential risks and impacts to human health and the environment associated with these emissions, releases, and wastes. The air emissions EPS are developed to manage & mitigate the impact of Carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and 10 microns (PM10), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Also to control and reduce the Hazardous air pollutants emission (HAPs) i.e. BTEX compounds (Benzene (C6H6), Toluene (C7H8), Ethylbenzene (C6H5CH2CH3), Xylenes (C8H10)). In addition to n-hexane (C6H14), formaldehyde (CH2O), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases (GHG). The main GHG that are present at earth atmosphere are

• Carbon dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and oil), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of certain chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere (or "sequestered") when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle.
• Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
• Fluorinated gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes. Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as substitutes for stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons). These gases are typically emitted in smaller quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases ("High GWP gases").

In JO we report GHG using Chevron’s GHG and Energy reporting System (CGERSTM ). In this tool we collect all operational data from different divisions. These data are fuel consumptions, monthly gas reports, oil production, electricity purchased, and refrigerant used in A/C in order to calculate our GHG in a quarterly basis.