There are significant challenges in adoption of sustainable technologies, says Benedicta Chettiar.

The oil and gas industry is at the forefront of transformation as a significant number of technology companies are stepping forward to meet the industry challenges of reducing carbon footprint.

There are still many oil and gas companies that operate under the ‘if and what will happen’ mindset. Here, we will look into how sustainable technologies can help the oil and gas industry to meet the growing demands for energy and sustainability.

Digitalisation and automation

Digitalisation makes it possible for oil and gas companies to monitor and analyse production data in real-time, which facilitates preventative maintenance and operational improvement. Automated drilling technologies, such as autonomous drilling control systems and robotic drilling rigs have transformed drilling.

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) represents a group of technologies designed to lower CO₂ emissions, a primary contributor to climate change. CCS captures CO₂ emissions from industrial processes and energy production before they are released into the atmosphere.

Chevron's Gorgon LNG Project in Australia, one of the biggest and most advanced carbon capture and storage projects in the world, is one of the most prominent examples of CCS applications. According to the company, the Gorgon CCS system started up safely in August 2019 and will continue to be optimised to ensure it performs reliably over 40-plus years of operation.

Renewable energy integration

The integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, into oil and gas companies can minimise dependency on traditional fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and align with global sustainability goals. Shell’s Offshore Wind Projects is one of the examples of renewable energy integration.

Shell, a global leader in energy, has made significant strides in integrating renewable energy into its operations. The company's offshore wind projects demonstrate how oil and gas companies can leverage renewable technologies to achieve sustainability.

Renewable energy integration benefits oil and gas companies in terms of carbon footprint reduction, energy security and stability, a company’s ESG profile improvement, and operational cost savings.

Biofuels and alternative fuels

Biofuels are renewable energy sources made from biomass, or organic resources, including animal fats, plant oils, algae, and agricultural waste. These fuels are substitutes for conventional fossil fuels such as jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline. As biofuels are produced from renewable resources and have the potential to reduce carbon emissions, they are regarded as more sustainable than fossil fuels.

ExxonMobil’s Algae Biofuels Program is one of the uses of biofuels. Using algae as a feedstock, ExxonMobil is spearheading research into third-generation biofuels. This innovative strategy aims to solve the sustainability challenges in transportation and aviation, which are the two fields with significant emissions and large energy requirements.

Biofuels are categorised into three generations:

● First generation – Derived from food crops, like vegetable oils, and are a transition fuel to more advanced biofuels.

● Second generation – Produced from non-food crops, like organic wastes, and organic matter from urban wastes.

● Third generation – Made from algae and aquatic plants with natural oil content.

Adoption challenges of sustainable technologies

Apart from the various opportunities sustainable technologies offer to oil and gas companies, there are significant challenges in adoption of these technologies. These challenges are caused by regulatory, technical, financial, and operational complexities associated with transitioning from traditional fossil fuel operations to greener alternatives.

Companies can overcome these challenges by making substantial capital investments. They should scale technologies like CCS and hydrogen.

Winding up

The oil and gas industry is at a pivotal transformation where the integration of sustainable technologies is essential. These technologies can help companies revolutionise the industry to meet global climate goals and ensure long-term business viability. While challenges remain, Industrial Automation believes that companies should carry the industry’s commitment to sustainability and a more resilient future.

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Benedicta Chettiar is Director, IED Communications and Manager, Strategic Developments, Industrial Automation. Besides these roles, Beni, as she is known, is also actively managing the affairs of Jyothi Process, a state-of-the-art printing press.

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