Statoil meets offshore emissions of nmVOC

Statoil has met new Norwegian government limits on offshore emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (nmVOC), which went into effect on April 1.

The group reduced these emissions from 40% of its offshore loading operations.

Statoil heads an industrial collaboration with 23 other oil companies that have interests in Norwegian offshore fields using offshore loading. This partnership aims to cut nmVOC emissions from such operations, according to special adviser Egil Tveit in the Exploration & Production Norway business area. Emissions from the offshore sector include carbon dioxide, methane, and nmVOC, as well as sulfur and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants contribute to the greenhouse effect, acid precipitation, and the formation of ground-level ozone.

Statoil has focused on reducing the release of nmVOC.

The Norwegian authorities require that systems for reducing nmVOC cover 40% of offshore loading operations. This requirement is being expanded in 2004 to include storage operations on production ships and storage ships.

"The reduction will rise to 70% in 2005, and no less than 95% in 2006," Tveit said.

Six of seven shuttle tankers equipped with systems to recover nmVOC work for Statoil. All such vessels off Norway must have recovery equipment in place by Jan. 1, 2006. According to Tveit, the group and its partners are well placed to meet these demands.

Statoil has also installed nmVOC recovery plants on its Norne and Åsgard A production ships in the Norwegian Sea, and another is planned on the Åsgard C storage ship next year.

05/13/03