The Green Future of Oil and Gas: Sustainable Hydrocarbon Production on the Rise

To address the impacts of climate change, oil and gas companies have recently begun pursuing carbon-neutral goals by investing in carbon capture and storage technologies, renewable energy sources, methane detection and reduction technologies, and automation of energy production processes.

While these strategies are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there has also been a renewed focus on generating hydrocarbons more sustainably, especially since reliance on hydrocarbons for energy production and manufacturing is predicted to last into the next century. Green hydrocarbons are organic compounds that are produced from sustainable and environmentally friendly methods.

Green hydrocarbons can be synthesized in various ways, such as through renewable feedstocks (biomass, agricultural waste, algae), carbon capture feedstock, electrochemical processing, and bioengineering techniques. By advancing these techniques, oil and gas producers can steer away from using GHG-emission-intensive and energy-intensive methods.

Advancements in Sustainable Hydrocarbon Production

There have been many promising breakthroughs in sustainable hydrocarbon production, especially with the production of ethylene. Ethylene is a hydrocarbon and an essential raw material for refining natural gas. It is the most commonly produced organic compound in industrial processes, with more than 200 million tons of ethylene being produced annually worldwide.

In recent years, research has been conducted on electrochemical production methods to generate ethylene. Fanglin (Frank) Chen and Kevin Huang, two mechanical engineering professors at the University of South Carolina, have been extensively involved in this research.

Chen and Huang are developing a solid oxide technology that facilitates the electrochemical conversion of low-cost natural gas into ethylene. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide is changed into carbon monoxide as part of this process.

Another electrochemical-based process for petrochemical manufacturing was discovered by researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Researchers at INL have successfully developed an innovative electrochemical cell that conducts protons exclusively, enabling the simultaneous production of ethylene and hydrogen through the non-oxidative deprotonation of ethane.

By introducing ethane to the anode and applying an electric field, the electrochemical process triggers the deprotonation of ethane, resulting in the creation of ethylene and protons. This method alone achieves 65% in-process energy savings and reduces the carbon footprint of ethylene production by 72%. These achievements could be magnified further if renewable electricity and heat are used.

Another hydrocarbon called styrene has also been the subject of innovative sustainable research. The Li Research Group at North Carolina State University has devised a method that utilizes a redox catalyst that utilizes a redox catalyst to convert ethylbenzene (hydrocarbon) to styrene and generate water.

This innovative process not only reduces CO2 emissions by 79% and requires 82% less energy than the traditional industrial process, but also has a single-pass yield rate of 91%. This is significantly higher compared to the traditional industrial process of generating styrene from ethylbenzene, which has a single-pass yield of 54%.

Social and Economic Implications of Sustainable Production of Hydrocarbons

The new technological developments in producing hydrocarbons have profound social and economic implications. On the social front, these advancements contribute to the transition towards more sustainable practices, reducing the environmental impact associated with hydrocarbon production.

By employing electrochemical and innovative catalyst-based processes, GHG emissions are significantly reduced, leading to improved air quality and a healthier environment for communities. Additionally, these newly developed sustainable methods for producing hydrocarbons provide another realistic alternative for oil and natural gas companies to decarbonize their carbon footprint.

From an economic standpoint, these developments present opportunities for cost savings and increased efficiency. The implementation of electrochemical and catalyst-based approaches to producing hydrocarbons offers energy savings and streamlined processes compared to conventional methods. This not only reduces production costs but also enhances competitiveness in the global market.

These methods also encourage more domestic investment in more sustainable ways of generating hydrocarbons, thus reducing reliance on foreign sources of oil and gas. Moreover, sustainable methods such as the redox catalyst-based method to produce styrene, generate a greater percent product yield, leading to less chemical waste and greater profitability.

While these potential economic benefits are promising, more investments in research and development are needed to experience these economic benefits on a larger scale. For instance, research conducted by the INL on sustainable ethylene production received $1.25 million over two years, and similar projects supported by the Department of Energy in the United States announced $35 million for 24 projects to support technological solutions in advanced manufacturing.

The Canadian government could take note and make large-scale investments to propel these new sustainable hydrocarbon production methods into common industrial methods and make more significant investments to witness the economic potential of these sustainable solutions.

The advancements in hydrocarbon production technologies are feasible initiatives to invest in as indicated by Canada’s 2022 federal budget which includes funds for climate action programs and initiatives.

These advancements also align with international agreements focused on mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as the Paris Climate Agreement. Moreover, these developments contribute to meeting climate action targets such as achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Such progress can strengthen diplomatic relations and encourage collaboration among countries in addressing climate challenges collectively. This can be achieved through foreign aid and humanitarian aid to develop sustainable technologies for hydrocarbon production in low-income countries. For instance, the Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Program in Low-Income Countries (SREP) funds renewable energy development in developing areas. This is an initiative started by the Strategic Climate Fund of the World Bank. International development programs prove that many countries can collaborate to expand the usage of sustainable technologies to produce hydrocarbons.

Key Takeaway

Hydrocarbons are the core of the oil and gas sector and manufacturing of various commercial products such as plastics, resins, and rubbers. While governments and companies across the world have made commitments to decarbonization, transitioning to fully renewable energy resources is still facing limitations since hydrocarbons will still be essential to Canada’s energy mix well into the future.

Fortunately, new advancements in sustainable hydrocarbon production methods have not only reduced greenhouse gas emissions but also increase the product yield and are less energy intensive. Embracing these technologies will be crucial for building a future where hydrocarbon production can strongly align with sustainability initiatives.

 

About The Author: