Estimation of methane emissions from gas excavation activities in the Transylvanian Basin, Romania.

The vast gas reservoirs in the Transylvanian Basin have been exploited for over a century, primarily managed by the state-owned company ROMGAZ. With over 100 gas fields scattered throughout the region, it remains the foremost gas producer among Central and South-Eastern European countries.  The International Energy Agency estimates that 45% of emissions reductions from the energy sector can be achieved at no net monetary cost and could even result in economic savings, considering methane's commercial value as the main component of natural gas.

 

Five teams with participants from Poland and Romania were deploying various techniques (GPM, OTM-33A, High Flow Sampler, Tracer release, large-scale flux chamber and screenings) for quantifications of the methane emission rates. Additional instruments from other participants of the ROMEO project were shipped to Romania and used for mobile measurements. A total of 520 individual sites from the O&G operator inventory were at least screened for a source of emissions attribution. 160 quantifications with 5 techniques were performed. The study focuses on combining all measurement methods as complementary tools for emission quantifications. We attempt to upscale the emission for the Transylvanian basin based on 18% of the operator’s active inventory in the region.

 

The findings presented were made possible through equipment funded by the "Excellence Initiative - Research University" program at AGH University of Science and Technology. The authors express their gratitude to all participants and supporters of the ROMEO campaign. Work on this study is supported by UNEP’s IMEO. Future research focused on quantifying emissions from oil and gas is planned as part of the IM4CA “Investigating Methane for Climate Action” project.