Saudi Arabia Southern Area Oil Operations Achieving 1 Million Metric tonCO2e Emissions Avoidance

Abstract Reducing carbon emissions is a strategic action for the oil and gas industry to improve its sustainability and resilience in the face of evolving global energy demand and environmental regulations and the need to mitigate the impact of climate change. Despite the seemingly existing paradox of producing energy while reducing emissions that result from it; this paper aims to show that it is feasible and can be accomplished. Further, this paper presents a case study of Saudi Aramco, Southern Area Oil Operations (SAOO) that successfully reduced more than 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) emissions through various initiatives over the course of 3 years. SAOO set in motion a plan that has a combination of measures including energy efficiency projects, replacing equipment with lower carbon footprint, reducing flared gas volumes, and implementing a rigorous fugitive emissions detection and repair program. Moreover, this paper highlights the environmental benefits of the multitude of implemented initiatives, which ultimately led to avoiding emissions of more than 1 million metric tCO2e over a 3-year period. Along the way, SAOO availed non-renewable natural resources of oil, gas and water, as well as electricity. Additionally, SAOO improved efficiency of its operations and energy consumption; all leading to saving money while meeting customer demands safely and in an environmentally sound manner. Furthermore, insights into the challenges faced and lessons learned during the implementation process will be shared. Finally, this paper shows that reducing carbon emissions can serve the oil and gas industry meet energy demands, while addressing increasingly more stringent environmental regulations, all while staying profitable, and improving sustainability.