Canadian gas industry-related greenhouse gas emissions declining

A study released by the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) shows that greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas operations are on the decline.
On a per unit of marketable production basis, CO2 emissions from natural gas operations declined nearly 17 % from 1990 to 1995, while methane emissions decreased from 1.36 to 1.13 % during the same period. These improvements were made while the country's natural gas delivery system was expanding at a rapid pace. From 1990 to 1995, the length of natural gas pipeline in the ground in Canada increased 11 % to 343,260 km to meet growing domestic demand and to connect to expanding markets in the United States, which now uses over 53 % of the natural gas produced in Canada to replace more polluting fuels such as coal.
By comparison, reports CGA, transportation sources (predominantly from oil products) and power generation (primarily coal-fired) were the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in Canada in 1996. These emissions could be rapidly reduced to the extent that natural gas can be used in the transportation sector, and to replace coal in electric power generation, says CGA. However, notes the Association, these issues are in the government's hands to move forward and resolve.
"This study proves that the natural gas industry is making headway to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency," said CGA President and CEO Gerald Doucet. "New facilities commissioned from 1990 to 1995 have already shown great progress and we are confident that even greater strides will be made to the turn of the century as new gas technologies and equipment are brought to market."
"Our position continues to be that voluntary cost-effective measures by industry can help Canada meet its national and international emissions reduction objectives. This CGA study shows progress is already being made," said Mr. Doucet.
The Association anticipates that, on a percentage of production basis, greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas operations will continue to decrease as new measures are put in place. However, because of the continuing increase in demand for natural gas, it is not certain that there will be a decline in absolute emission volumes from this energy. What is certain, says CGA, is that total emissions will be less if natural gas is used to replace other more polluting fuels like coal and oil.
Some of the environmental advantages natural gas has over oil and coal include:
- The finished product contains the least amount of carbon per unit of heat.
- During combustion, natural gas emits insignificant particulate matter compared to coal and oil products.
- Natural gas emits much less CO2 than coal or oil. For example, switching from oil to natural gas for residential heating can lower CO2 emissions by as much as 30 %.
"New natural gas technology is being developed to improve end-use efficiency even further. With two-thirds of all emissions from natural gas occurring at the point of combustion, the inventory data compiled by CGA is useful to indicate where priorities can be placed to maximise emission reductions through the development of higher efficiency technology," said Mr. Doucet.
"Many scientists and environmentalists agree that natural gas is part of the solution, and that natural gas will continue to be the world's preferred energy source for the foreseeable future," added Mr. Doucet. "Certainly, while there are no perfect remedies to the multitude of environmental challenges our world faces, the effective and efficient use of natural gas is a step in the right direction."
The Canadian Gas Association is the national trade organisation for Canada's natural gas industry. Its 270 members span the industry spectrum and include Canada's major natural gas transmission companies, distributors, energy service providers, manufacturers of gas appliances and equipment, and producers.