Transmission system operators (TSOs) are aware of their responsibility for climate protection. Avoiding and/or continuously reducing methane emissions is a key objective for us. To this end, the TSOs have been investing in measures to reduce methane emissions for years.
Methane emissions from the upstream chain of oil and gas consumption account for 0.57 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany, while approx. 0.035 percent is attributable to the transportation of natural gas through the FNB pipeline network[1].
FNB has been working continuously for decades to reduce methane emissions for the purposes of climate protection, technical safety and economic efficiency.
Between 1990 and 2020, methane emissions in Germany were reduced by 65 percent across the industry, even though the grid was expanded further. Fugitive methane emissions from fuels have even fallen by 95 percent since 1990.[2] Numerous measures to reduce operational and fugitive or diffuse emissions during scheduled repairs, such as the use of pump-over compressors, etc., have contributed to this.
[1] UBA, 2023
[2] UBA, NIR 2023, P. 131
Central to a successful reduction of fugitive methane emissions are precise, comparable, and reproducible data on where and how they occur in the widely ramified network. More regular measurements beyond the technical requirements allow TSOs to identify and eliminate emission sources earlier.
The TSOs launched a pilot project in 2020 and completed it in the summer of 2021 to bring more transparency to the database of emission values. As part of this measurement initiative, the most comprehensive coordinated measurement of methane emissions in the German gas pipeline network to date, diffuse methane emissions were systematically recorded for the first time, particularly at shut-off and compressor stations. The second measurement initiative, which followed in 2022, focused on gas pressure and measurement systems as well as biogas feed-in systems. In total, more than 200,000 potential methane leakage points were investigated in both measurement initiatives.
The measurement initiative is delivering important results that will be seamlessly integrated and reported on in the various international initiatives. All individual measurements were carried out according to the international DIN EN 15446 standard.
Of the more than 200,000 measuring points examined in 2020 and 2022 as part of the two measurement initiatives, only 499, or 0.26 percent, showed emissions above the metrological detection limit. A total of 99.74 percent of the measuring points examined by the measuring initiatives were inconspicuous.
Additional high-flow sampling at the main emission sources determined by the DIN method (404 measuring points = 0.9 percent of all measuring points) further specifies the measured values. This makes it possible to make much more reliable statements about methane emissions.
The measurements were carried out by “The Sniffers” – an independent, internationally renowned specialist service provider for emission measurements, also used by NGOs.
The reliability of the measurement results is guaranteed by tested LDAR methods according to DIN EN 15446 and additional high-flow sampling.
To verify the individual measurements, additional measurements were carried out using a drone flight as an additional control instrument.
The members of the FNB Gas aim to reduce methane emissions for the entire German gas transmission network by 50 percent by the end of 2025. The base year is 2015. The TSOs are guided by the objectives of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) under the umbrella of the UN.
The TSOs will continue the joint metering initiative from 2022 and turn it into a continuous process. The results give us precise indications of where we can target specific measures. In addition, we will further intensify the exchange and joint activities.
As part of the OGMP collaboration, TSOs work with stakeholders in other parts of the value chain and world to work towards appropriate actions to reduce methane emissions.
In workshops and expert discussions, we invite interested stakeholders to discuss and review the results.
For the future, TSOs are clearly and decisively committed to the conversion of transmission networks to hydrogen and green gases.
We support the climate targets of the European Union.
Both individually and collectively, TSOs are involved in the relevant industry initiatives of GIE, ENTSO-G, Eurogas, Marcogaz.
Through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership(OGMP), an initiative of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition under the umbrella of the United Nations Environment Programme, TSOs are working with stakeholders in other parts of the value chain and world to work towards appropriate action to reduce methane emissions. The Methane Guiding Principles form the basis for these initiatives and our actions.
In the initiatives, the industry is working on standardised recording and sustainable reduction of methane emissions.
We welcome the EU strategy to reduce methane emissions adopted in 2020 and support the development of Europe-wide standards for measurement methods (MRV – Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) as a basis for transparency and comparability. The same applies to the implementation of LDAR (Leak, Detection, and Repair) measures, which are essential for reducing methane emissions.
In December 2021, the European Commission presented the regulation on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector (COM/2021/805). We are eagerly awaiting the adoption of the law.
