Advancing Flaring Capturing in Subsurface Well Activities, a Technical Pathway to Decarbonization

Abstract Purpose This paper show case a project to capture and streamline reporting of flaring associated with well subsurface activities like (well testing, fracking, flow back loop and halite cleanout) in PDO Block-6 concession areas. Method The project encompasses four phases. Firstly, creating a comprehensive database by reviewing daily flaring reporting over 6 months. Additionally, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the current flaring reporting process. Secondly, statistical analysis was employed to identify waste and gaps in the current practices. Subsequently, lean methodology was deployed to solve the problem in a structured scientific way. This includes the creation of end to end value steam map of the reporting process, while fishbone and 5 whys tools were utilized to determine root causes. Action plan was created, and success was sustained through an SOP. Results During the analysis phase, it was found that only 24% of the fields were accurately reporting all the flaring associate with subsurface activities. Through utilization of lean methodology to solve the problem, by the end of the project 100% of the fields were covered through an integrated platform. The reporting process was streamlined and documented to ensure sustainability of the success across the whole organization. Also, formulas and equations used to estimate flaring from oil wells activities were imbedded in the system to improve reporting accuracy and avoid any errors. In addition, flaring permit has been added as a pre requisite of any well intervention that would result in any flaring. This ensure that all flaring is captured and reported. Also, it will help managing any additional flaring and increase GHG emissions. Flaring numbers are visualized and monitored in PDO corporate dashboard for visibility and transparency. Research limitations Limited to One Oil Company in Oman. The study could be generalized to other Oil & Gas producing companies within Oman. Novel This paper shows a practical solution to improve reporting of flaring associated with subsurface well activities which could be replicated by other upstream oil & gas operators. Also, it demonstrates the power of using lean as a problem-solving methodology in the journey of decarbonization and tracing carbon footprint.