Project Network
Organization
Eni: Reducing Emissions, Sharing Experiences
Italy-Based Project Network Member Traps Methane Emissions, Leverages Success Through Methane to Markets
Eni 
, an Italy-based integrated energy company with oil and natural gas exploration, production, transportation, and distribution assets in 70 countries, has long been a leader in finding and implementing new ways to increase the efficiency of its operations. As an active member of the Methane to Markets Project Network participating in the Oil and Gas Systems Subcommittee since 2005, eni has maintained its reputation as an innovator and collaborator, reducing its vented and fugitive emissions and sharing the wisdom and insights these operations afford.
A History of Sustainability
Since its founding in 1953, eni has partnered with local companies and governments. As concerns regarding climate change have increased, so have eni's efforts to rein in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In 2008, eni increased its hydrocarbon production in Angola, Congo, Egypt, Pakistan, and Venezuela and made new acquisitions in the Gulf of Mexico, Congo, and Turkmenistan. Despite all this, the company decreased its GHG emissions by about 8 percent (compared to 2007 levels)—primarily by reducing gas flaring.
Locating and Repairing Fugitive Leaks
Many of eni's successes in reducing GHG emissions are the result of the company's initiatives to identify and repair fugitive methane leaks within its oil and gas operating systems. Since 2005, eni engineers have been testing and employing various monitoring practices and technologies, including the Sherlock® infrared imaging camera, to locate, estimate, and track leaks and fugitive emissions from remote and inaccessible sources.
Eni distribution system engineers also found that methane leaks primarily occur at pipe joints as a result of traffic stress and third-party damage. Eni has identified strategies to reduce these leaks: replacing aged in-service pipe with steel or plastic pipe, "conditioning" aged in-service lead/yarn jointed pipes by adding water vapor or monoethylene glycol into the pipes, and minimizing third-party damage through outreach and education.
In 2007, eni carried out a campaign to monitor fugitive emissions from three turbo-compression stations and about 380 kilometers of pipeline in its gas transmission system. Engineers discovered that out of the four categories monitored (valves, safety valves, flanges, and instrumentation), two—flanges and instrumentation—have been responsible for more than 80 percent of the total emissions. Moreover, only 5 percent of all the items installed are responsible for 98 percent of the total emissions. Eni also developed a support tool for plant operations, helping managers prioritize, repair, and maintain components in the gas transmission system. Through this tool, eni is efficiently deploying its resources to key areas that are major leak points.
Looking Ahead
Over the next few years, eni plans to further reduce GHG emissions resulting from natural gas flaring from its operations in Algeria, Congo, Libya, Nigeria, and Tunisia. Reducing emissions from natural gas flaring at oil extraction facilities is particularly difficult in areas without the infrastructure to put the gas to constructive use. To reduce flaring and venting in these locations and others with infrastructure limitations, eni is building natural gas pipelines network and liquefied natural gas terminals and using the associated natural gas to generate electricity for local use. Together, these projects are expected to result in 70 percent fewer emissions from 2007 levels by 2012.
In addition, eni is working to implement its proven leak detection strategies more widely.
Sharing information and experiences, both internally and among peers, is an integral part of eni's overall emissions reduction plan. Eni maintains and promotes an intranet site where its engineers can share experiences, collaborate in the development of new initiatives, try new tools, and adopt best available technologies. Eni is also an active participant in the Methane to Markets Project Network.
- At the 2007 Methane to Market Partnership Expo in Beijing, China, eni shared its program for monitoring fugitive emissions at upstream treatment plants (PDF, 15 pp, 389 KB).
- At the 2008 Oil and Gas Systems Subcommittee meeting in Rome, Italy, eni presented its progress on several ongoing methane emission reduction projects (PDF, 10 pp, 629 KB), including fugitive monitoring and repair efforts.
By sharing information in these forums, eni and the Methane to Markets Partnership are better served to pursue methane reduction projects in the future.
Read more about eni and its emission reduction activities.
