SPOG PILOT

METHANE EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (MEMP)

 

WHAT IS THE METHANE EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM?

• The Government of Alberta has recently introduced regulations to reduce methane emissions in the oil & gas industry by 45% by 2025.  The regulations prescribe detection and quantification of fugitive methane releases and prescribe control measures for methane vents.

• Both the Government of Alberta and the oil and gas industry are committed to reducing methane emissions in the most cost-effective way.  New technologies are now available to detect and quantify methane releases in a quick, accurate, and innovative approach that will lead to cost-effective control

• The Methane Emission Management Program, or MEMP, is the systematic evaluation of alternative methane detection and quantification technologies, relative to the conventional technologies currently prescribed in regulation.  A successful program will lead to wide-spread deployment of these new technologies across the province.  This will reduce costs to the oil and gas sector by >$30M/year, while creating sustained job growth, and a more competitive industry.

 

WHY the SUNDRE PETROLEUM OPERATORS GROUP (SPOG)?

• SPOG  https://www.spog.ab.ca/ is a grassroots not-for-profit society that responds to the interests and concerns of the residents, landowners, and industry operators in the area. Ongoing support of the synergy movement in Alberta has widened SPOG's circle of influence to participate with government and regulators on many levels.  SPOG demonstrates synergistic solutions to problems and opportunities created by the interface of the oil and gas industry within communities because of a membership that includes all sectors: industry, community, and government.

• Membership includes 17 oil and gas producers, 10 service providers, 25 community members, and works on behalf of over 7000 landowners and residents.  A total of 34 producers operate 505 facilities and 1800 wells within SPOG’s boundaries.  With proven collaboration and community outreach and a large industry base, SPOG is an ideal pilot area for MEMP

• The SPOG MEMP Pilot has established strong governance, producer and regulator participation, and a work plan beginning June 1st. Six key objectives of the Pilot are summarized in Table 1, below.

• The SPOG Pilot will demonstrate Alberta’s commitment and leadership in methane management.  The pilot will create dozens of jobs within the project boundaries, which will lead to hundreds of sustainable jobs across the province.

 

Key Objectives of the SPOG MEMP Pilot

1.  Evaluate selected alternative detection and quantification technologies and confirm technical and economic viability at scale.  

2.  Develop an area-based ‘altFEMP program’ for SPOG area, gain AER approval, deploy the programs, and monitor its performance thru 2021. Strive for 100% producer participation in SPOG.

3.  Export the knowledge and systems to other producers and producing areas of the province, to inform further altFEMP developments

4.  Develop a comprehensive inventory of methane releases and equipment using ground surveys with OGI for release detection, and high flow sampler and QOGI for quantification, with outliers validated by follow-up surveys.

5.  Establish SPOG as the preferred pilot area for new methane detection and quantification technologies.  Incorporate new technologies into the altFEMP programs as appropriate

6.  Develop the data tools and systems to collect all pertinent methane information for analysis and reporting

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• A key to SPOG’s ongoing success is its commitment to community engagement, keeping landowners, area residents, producers, and municipalities aware of all activities related to oil and gas. 

• With respect to the SPOG MEMP Pilot, there are 4 distinct groups requiring unique engagement methods throughout the pilot.

  • SPOG Producer Members

  • Other Producers and Service Providers

  • Residents, Landowners, and Municipalities

  • Technology Providers, Research, and Innovation Networks

• Methods of engagement with each group will vary and range from direct phone calls to virtual open houses and web site postings.  Figure 1, below, highlights, the target groups, materials, and methods for sharing