Limiting emissions
BP is targeting zero net growth in our operational emissions
The International Energy Agency estimates that energy efficiency could contribute around 40% of the emissions reductions needed to stay below the 2°C goal. We are playing our part by improving the efficiency of our existing operations and designing our new major projects to emit fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Shifting our upstream production towards a greater share of gas impacts our operational emissions. For example, liquefied natural gas can be more carbon-intensive than some oil production – but emissions from power generation using gas can be substantially lower than other fossil fuels, particularly coal.
We have set a sustainable emissions reductions target of 3.5 million tonnes out to 2025. Our operating businesses will deliver this through improved energy efficiency, fewer methane emissions and reduced flaring – all leading to permanent, quantifiable GHG reductions.
We are aiming for zero routine flaring by 2030, as part of an initiative by the World Bank.
And, to ensure that as our business grows, our carbon footprint does not, we’ll offset any increase in emissions above 2015 levels that’s not covered by our sustainable reductions activity.
How we are limiting emissions
Optimizing process heat
Digital technologies are helping us to reduce energy by improving how we heat seawater for use at our Deepwater Gunashli platform in Azerbaijan.
Reducing fuel consumption
We’ve introduced oil tankers with more efficient engines and advanced energy management systems.
Using robots for inspections
We are using autonomous vehicles to inspect and clean the hull of our floating production, offload and storage vessel in Angola – reducing emissions from diver support vessels.
Reducing methane emissions
We’ve switched gas-driven pneumatic pumps to electric ones in parts of our US operations, which has led to fewer methane emissions.
Redesigning gas recovery
We reduce the amount of gas flared from our oil and gas processing terminal in Azerbaijan by re-engineering the gas recovery unit.
Improving jet fuelling infrastructure
We introduced stop/start technology on our fuelling vehicles and improved our waste management systems in supplying fuel to the aviation industry.
Retrofitting technology
We upgraded technology at our Cooper River petrochemicals plant in the US, which will significantly reduce the site’s energy use and emissions.
Using co-generated power
We now use electricity from our co-generation facility to power the turbines used to pump water to the cooling tower at our Whiting refinery in the US.