Potential cost-effective flare and vent gas reduction opportunities at selected production facilities in Mexico

A flare and vent gas measurement program was completed during the period of 29 September to 8 October 2014 at the following selected Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) facilities in Mexico: 

• CCAC.3 Oil Battery
• CCAC.7 Compressor Station
• CCAC.2 Oil Terminal
• CCAC.6 Oil Battery
• CCAC.1 Oil Battery
• CCAC.5 Oil Battery
• CCAC.4 Oil Battery

Follow-up measurements and technical meetings were conducted at the CCAC.7 Compressor Station on 29 June 2015, and at the CCAC.2 Oil Terminal on 31 August to 1 September, 2015. 

The purpose of this study has been, for the surveyed facilities, to identify and delineate practicable flare and vent gas reduction opportunities in terms of their magnitude, most suitable control option, feasibility, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions, secondary environmental benefits and energy conservation. The surveyed facilities were selected by Pemex, based on an objective screening process, to be representative of sites having large flaring rates (i.e., the CCAC.7 Compressor Station and CCAC.2 Oil Terminal), and highly replicable production facilities having low to moderate flaring and venting rates (i.e., the 5 listed oil batteries).  

Specific actions were initiated by Pemex between the 2014 and 2015 measurement campaigns, which have resulted in current and potentially future additional reductions in the amount of gas being flared at CCAC.2 Oil Terminal and CCAC.7 Compressor Station. These reductions are delineated in the “Actions Being Taken” section at the end of this Executive Summary. 

As well, it should be noted that a significant decrease in energy pricing occurred between the release of the 2014 report and this final report.