ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE • DEPARTMENTS
Study touts low carbon intensity of US Gulf of Mexico
oil production compared with other parts of the world
A new study indicates that the green-
house gas intensity of US oil production,
particularly in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM),
is significantly lower compared with
most other regions around the world.

The study, commissioned by the
National Ocean Industries Association
(NOIA), found that total US oil production
has a carbon intensity 23% lower than the
international average outside the US and
Canada . Further, the US Gulf has a carbon
intensity 46% lower than the global aver-
age outside of the US and Canada, out-
performing nations like Russia, China,
Brazil, Iran, Iraq and Nigeria.

Using the largest crude category from
the GOM (API Gravity 37.5), instead of
similar crudes from outside the US and
Canada, could halve the average interna-
tional carbon intensity, the study stated.

The report includes a sensitivity analy-
sis of global methane emissions, indicat-
ing that US production, especially in the
GOM, performs much better relative to
the global average in terms of emissions
intensity even when measured using
other methane estimation methodolo-
gies. “The world needs both climate solu-
tions and a growing amount of energy,
and we don’t have to choose between
the two,” NOIA President Erik Milito said.

“ The Gulf of Mexico produces a massive
amount of energy with a remarkably
small footprint, and its continued suc-
cess is critical for our energy security,
national security and energy affordabil-
ity. This study validates the importance
of the US Gulf of Mexico as a source of
energy with demonstrably lower carbon
intensity barrels.”
Scan me to access
“ GHG Emissions
Intensity of Crude
Oil and Condensate
Production.” bit.ly/3X4tSNP
Competition launched
to reshape global energy
In May, ADNOC launched the
Decarbonization Technology Challenge,
a global competition to find innovations
that will help to reshape the global energy
landscape. Ten finalists will be invited to pitch
their innovations to a panel of judges in
December . Winners will receive up to
$1 million in piloting opportunities with
ADNOC, as well as access to state-of-the-
art research and innovation facilities in
Abu Dhabi.

Below are examples of specialization
areas being sought for the competition:
■ Carbon capture, utilization and storage ;
■ New energies like hydrogen, geothermal
and energy storage;
■ Oil and gas emissions reduction, includ-
ing emissions detection and monitoring
and other technologies for decarbonizing
operations; ■ Digital applications;
■ Advanced materials for decarboniza-
tion, and
■ Nature-based solutions .

The competition is being delivered in
partnership with the Net Zero Technology
Center and is supported by AWS, BP and
Hub71. Scan me to access the
competition website
and entry criteria.

Deadline is 11 August.

bit.ly/3X0SnLQ ADNOC and Baker Hughes signed an agreement at the UAE Climate Tech in May
to collaborate on hydrogen. From left are Chris Barkey, Baker Hughes Chief Tech-
nology Offi cer for IET; Lorenzo Simonelli, Baker Hughes Chairman/CEO; Musab-
beh Al Kaabi, ADNOC Executive Director, Low Carbon Solutions and International
Growth Directorate; and Sophie Hildebrand, ADNOC Chief Technology Offi cer.

ADNOC, Baker Hughes to advance hydrogen technology
ADNOC and Baker Hughes signed an
agreement to collaborate on the devel-
opment and commercialization of tech-
nology solutions for green and low-
carbon hydrogen, as well as graphene .

The agreement includes exploring the
application of three emerging technolo-
gies that Baker Hughes has invested in:
■ Piloting next-generation electrolyzer
technology to explore the possibility of
installing and operating an electrolyzer
at the ADNOC Research and Innovation
Center in Abu Dhabi ;
■ Field-testing methane plasma tech-
nology to capture carbon in the form of
high-quality graphene and hydrogen in
ADNOC Gas facilities ;
■ Testing the use of growth stage meth-
ane pyrolysis technology to produce
low- GHG intensity hydrogen.

DNV to support EGPC with
sustainability program
DNV signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Egyptian General
Petroleum Corp (EGPC) to support the lat-
ter in its effort to set science-based targets
for net-zero goals. EGPC is setting these
targets within the framework of the “Egypt
Vision 2030” national plan to reach the
country’s sustainable development goals ,
in line with the 1.5°C pathway of the Paris
Climate Agreement.

Both parties will identify the economic,
social and environmental risks, opportuni-
ties and impacts of EGPC’s activities for all
relevant stakeholders .

D R I L L I N G C O N T R AC T O R • J U LY/AU G U ST 2023
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