Scholarly record
IDENTIFYING BEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES FOR THE RUSSIAN OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INSTALLATIONS
Abstract
Upstream hydrocarbon exploration and production remains an important economic sector providing the necessary raw materials for several areas of Russian economy. To enhance the resource efficiency and environmental performance of the sector, researchers and practitioners develop approaches based on Best Available Techniques (BATs). In Russia, the BAT concept has been rapidly developing since 2014. Unlike in the European Union, in Russia, upstream hydrocarbon exploration and production sector is regulated by IPPC-like legislation, and respective Reference Documents on BATs (BREFs) were issued in 2017. Enforcement lessons learnt in 2019-2020, show that to develop a decent application for the Integrated Environmental Permit (IEP), operators need well-substantiated BAT-Associated Emission Levels (BAT-AELs); BAT-AELs are also needed for the environmental authorities and experts for assessing applications and IEP granting. In 2021, stakeholders suggested reviewing the Russian BREF on Oil Exploration (ITS 28-2021) and the review process is nearly completed. Draft ITS 28-2021 covers both onshore and offshore oil exploration. It contains information on the current consumption and emission levels, applied techniques and BATs. Both general and specific BATs are identified, eight of them being aimed at reducing emissions of associated petroleum gas which is very important in the wake of greenhouse gas emission reduction. The article analyses key differences between the European BAT Guidance Document on Upstream Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production (2019) and ITS 28-2021. Principles of BAT identification and BAT-AELs as well as BAT-Associated Environmental Performance Levels are considered. Perspectives for the practical implementation of the new ITS 28-2021 are discussed.
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References14
Federal State Statistics Service, Determination of the share of the oil and gas sector in the gross domestic product of the Russian Federation, URL: https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/1b5RpebS/Maximov-tezisy.pdf (reference date 09.11.2021).
Ministry of energy of Russian Federation, About the oil industry, URL: https://minenergo.gov.ru/node/910 (reference date 09.11.2021).
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, State report on the state and protection of the environment of the Russian Federation in 2019, URL: https://www.mnr.gov.ru/docs/gosudarstvennye_doklady/proekt_gosudarstvennogo_doklada_o_sostoyanii_i_ob_okhrane_okruzhayushchey_sredy_rossiyskoy_federat2019/ (reference date 09.11.2021).
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, National Inventory Report Russian Federation (NIR), 2021, URL: https://unfccc.int/documents/273477 (reference date 09.11.2021).
Skobelev D.O., Вuilding the infrastructure for transforming Russian industry towards better resource efficiency and environmental performance, Procedia Environmental Science, Engineering and Management, vol. 8/issue 2, pp. 483-493, 2021.
Almgren R., Skobelev D., Evolution of technology and technology governance, Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, vol. 6/issue 2, pp. 22- 34, 2020.
Skobelev D., Environmental industrial policy in Russia: economic, resource efficiency and environmental aspects, Proceedings of the 19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria, Conference proceedings contents, Environmental Economics, vol. 19/issue 5.3, pp. 291-298, 2019.
Hjort M., Skobelev D., Almgren R., Guseva T., Koh T., Best available techniques and sustainable development goals, Proceedings of the 19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM Green 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria, Conference proceedings contents, Air Pollution and Climate Change, vol. 19/issue 4.2, pp. 185-192, 2019.
Skobelev D., Guseva T., Chechevatova O., Sanzharovskiy A., Shchelchkov K., Begak M., Comparative Analysis of the Drawing up and Review of Reference Documents on Best Available Techniques in the European Union and in the Russian Federation, Moscow, Pero Publishing Hpouse, 89 p., 2018.
Skobelev D., Guseva T., Chechevatova O., Begak M., Tsevelev V., Chartered experts in best available techniques in Russia: key principles and first practices. Proceedings of the 18th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2018, Albena, Bulgaria, Conference proceedings contents, Ecology and environmental protection, vol. 18/issue 5.1, р. A, pp. 183-190, 2018.
Publications Office of the European Union, Best available techniques guidance document on upstream hydrocarbon exploration and production, Final guidance document, URL: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/f9265d2b-574d-11e9-a8ed-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-PDF/source-93598867 (reference date 09.11.2021).
United Nations, United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change, URL: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-convention/what-is-the-united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change (reference date 09.11.2021).
United Nations, Kyoto Protocol, URL: https://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol (reference date 09.11.2021).
Guseva T., Shchelchkov K., Sanzharovskiy A., Molchanova Ya. Best available techniques, energy efficiency enhancement and carbon emissions reduction. Proceedings of the 19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM Green 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria, Conference proceedings contents, Ecology and Environmental Protection, vol. 19/issue 5.1, pp. 63-70, 2019.
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.
