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The Doha Climate Change Conference marked the transition from an old climate change regime that focused on reducing GHG emissions from developed countries to a new climate regime that will focus on reducing GHG emissions from all countries. The new climate change discussion that is centered on the so called Durban Platform has brought into focus the importance of reducing GHG emissions in a cost-effective manner for all countries. Methane's unique role as a greenhouse gas and as the primary component of natural gas means that reducing methane emissions can yield significant economic, environmental and operational benefits. Working under the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) and with the support of the newly launched Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the Natural Gas STAR International Program is a voluntary partnership between the oil and natural gas industry and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) that promotes use of cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions. This paper will highlight the unique opportunities available to Middle Eastern countries and more specifically members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to reduce their methane emissions and develop Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) plans. This paper will summarize a number of established methods to identify, measure, and reduce methane emissions from a variety of equipment and processes in oil and gas production and natural gas processing and transmission facilities. Furthermore; given that some of the top natural gas flaring countries are countries that belong to the GCC, special attention will be given to flaring reduction technologies and policies. Moreover; given that Qatar is currently the largest producer of LNG in the world, a case study discussing methane emissions from LNG facilities and potential emission reduction technologies will be presented. |
