Life-cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from unconventional gas in Scotland

Clare Elizabeth Bond, Jenny Roberts, Astley Francis St John Hastings, Zoe Shipton, Elisa Joao, Kyzy Tabyldy, Mike Stephenson

Research output: Other contribution

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Abstract

The main report presents a desk-based study of the life-cycle estimated greenhouse gas emissions associated with the exploration, extraction and processing of unconventional gas (specifically shale gas and coal bed methane) in Scotland.
1. Key Findings
The report concludes that the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions from unconventional gas extraction in Scotland are likely to be equivalent to those of conventional gas extraction, if best practice is followed and building on peat is avoided.
The study finds that the key factors influencing the lifecycle emissions of unconventional gas in Scotland are:
• Emissions from land use change associated with site clearance for the construction of well pads, roads and infrastructure in areas of peat soil.
• Fugitive methane emissions that escape from valves etc. and are not easily captured.
• Methane emissions during well completion which are dependent on the quantity of methane in the flowback liquid and the treatment of this methane (e.g. venting, flaring, or captured and utilized). But note that in the context of Scottish regulation for the use of BATs these will be small.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherClimateXChange
Number of pages87
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2014

Keywords

  • LCA
  • GHG
  • shale gas

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