Air

Greenhouse gases

Direct emissions from the downstream petroleum industry in 2002 were 22.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, about three per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Of this total, the petroleum refining industry emitted 18.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (14.2 from CPPI member companies), about eight per cent higher than 1990 levels. This increase largely resulted from additional operating units required to lower the sulphur levels.

Local distribution companies emitted 3.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, a two per cent decrease from 1990 levels.

Petroleum refining is an energy-intensive industry. Becoming more energy efficient is a win-win strategy for all refiners because it means not only the potential of reduced greenhouse gas emissions but lower operating costs as well.

Refineries continually seek new opportunities to use less energy. These include:

• waste heat recovery
• flare gas recovery
• installation of high efficiency burners in furnaces
• investments in cogeneration facilities

The Solomon Energy Intensity (EEI) Index, an internationally recognized tool used to measure energy intensity in petroleum refinery operations, provides an indicator of progress by petroleum refiners in Canada. In 2003, the aggregate EII value for all CPPI refinery companies was 91.8, down from 113.6 in 1990.

Local distribution companies lessen greenhouse gas emissions through internal programs to reduce the release of fugitive emissions. One example is the replacement of cast iron pipe with corrosion-free polyethylene pipe.

With about 70 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions resulting from natural gas occurring at the consumer “burner tip,” they also actively invest in demand side management (DSM) programs that promote customer awareness of more efficient technologies and conservation.

Industry companies in the downstream petroleum industry also participate in Canada’s Voluntary Challenge and Registry (VCR) Program to limit greenhouse gas emissions and publicly report on their performance.