Capping Greenhouse Emissions
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty, which extends the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits State Parties to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, based on the premise that global warming exists and man-made CO2 emissions have caused it.
The growing production of greenhouse gases showed that only a solid and binding obligation for developed countries could put a brake on the emission of these gases. Such an obligation would require companies, communities and individuals to deal with climatic changes. That was why negotiations started for the drafting of an additional protocol to the convention.
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on February 16, 2005. There are currently 192 Parties (Canada withdrew effective December 2012) to the Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to combat global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The Protocol is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities: it puts the obligation to reduce current emissions on developed countries on the basis that they are historically responsible for the current levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Having joined the Kyoto Protocol, Iran has in recent years undertaken lots of measures for limiting its greenhouse gases in the upstream sector. A case in point is Amak no-flaring project which is about associated petroleum gas gathering in oil-rich regions. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere. It pollutes the environment; therefore, an effective method is needed for reducing this gas to serve the environment.
Greenhouse gas and its growing concentration in the atmosphere pose the biggest challenge to human beings. Global warning, melting of throes, sea level rise, drought on large swaths of land and torrential rains are all consequences of carbonic gas emission. Humans’ need for energy is growing. Although energy generation from renewable sources has enhanced significantly, demand for oil and other fossil fuels is still growing. It is predicted that the demand for fossil fuel would increase by 30% by 2050.
In order to head off their own annihilation, human beings have no option but to deal with this threat. To that effect, CO2 emission needs to be stopped. As of 2020, heavy penalties would be slapped on the countries releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. Iran is among the few countries have the necessary technology to gather carbonic gas and use it in other industrial sectors. These countries reduce carbonic gas commitments for others and change them into opportunities.
Every year, over 45 giga tons of carbonic gas is released into the atmosphere. It is more than any other greenhouse gases. Carbonic gas is the major contributor to global warning. The increase in CO2 concentration from 270 to 380 ppm in the atmosphere has increased the temperature of the Earth by two degrees centigrade. It is the major cause of all challenges, including water shortage in the Middle East. This trend is worsening at an incredibly high speed.
In the forthcoming Paris meeting on climatic changes, penalties will be approved for industrial and developing countries violating the treaty as of 2020. Release of each ton of carbonic gas into the atmosphere would be fined by $30 to $50 in penalties. CO2 recovery from the chimneys of industrial plants consuming fossil fuel to be used in industrial and service sectors would be the best option for curbing carbonic gas emissions. Carbonic gas is used widely. For instance, it is used in petrochemical plants for urea and methanol production, enhanced oil recovery, gas-to-liquids (GTL) and treatment of urban and industrial wastes.
Iran recently extended its greenhouse gas emission projects to the downstream oil sector. The first unit of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) was launched recently at a petrochemical plant in the western province of Kermanshah in the presence of managing director of National Petrochemical Company, Abbas Sha'ri-Moqaddam. CDR refers to a number of technologies which reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The first CO2 recovery unit in Iran’s petrochemical industry has become operational with Iranian technology at Kermanshah Petrochemical Plant. This technology stands at a higher level than those acquired by famous foreign rivals like Japan’s Mitsubishi and US Flowrdaneill.
Having mastered this technology, Iran will be able to become one of the major bases of CO2 recovery and become an exporter of this valuable technology to different countries across the globe.
Currently, 132 tons of CO2 with 99.9% purity is recovered from natural gas combustion at the ammonium reformer unity of Kermanshah Petrochemical Plant. Once this project has been launched, CO2 emission will be cut by 25%. The investment made in this project equals IRR 350 billion, whose return is estimated to be possible in one year and a half.
CO2 recovery from chimneys of a petrochemical plant is the first scientific and practical step for clean air. Currently, two petrochemical plants along with tens of other industrial plants in Kermanshah province are able to implement these environmental projects. Kermanshah province is currently in the first position in terms of the number of petrochemical units in Iran. Bisotoun, Kermanshah Polymer and urea and ammoniac plants are currently operating at full capacity in this province.
Sha'ri-Moqaddam has said that Kermanshah province can still house tens of other petrochemical plants due to its potentialities.
In May 2015, senior managers of Iran’s petrochemical industry visited the Kermanshah province to get familiar with the activities of petrochemical plants. During their trip, serious discussions were held with provincial officials about the development of petrochemical industry in this province.
Invitation for investor and contractor for the fourth petrochemical projects in Kermanshah was among issues discussed there. After the holy fasting month of Ramadan, a symposium is to be held in the province in the presence of private investors in Qasr-e Shirin in the province.
Sha'ri-Moqaddam said in his meeting with provincial officials that preservation of ecosystem, existence of water resources and presence of famous and experienced investors are necessary for the development of downstream industries in border cities of Kermanshah province.
Referring to the point that NPC is legally barred from investing in petrochemical industry, he said: “In case investors in the Kermanshah province are supported, we would witness an industrial revolution in the petrochemical sector of this province in light of export markets and water resources.”
Sha'ri-Moqaddam said investment is being sought for the construction of a fourth petrochemical plant with an investment of $1.5 billion in the province.
“With three operating petrochemical plants (Bisotoun, Kermanshah Polymer and Kermanshah Urea and Ammoniac), Kermanshah province is one of the leading provinces in the development of this industry,” he said.
“Upon instructions of minister of petroleum Bijan Zangeneh, we have been conducting studies and making plans for the development of downstream petrochemical industries in the province for more than 20 months,” he added.
Noting that upstream petrochemical industries would require at least $500 million in investment and huge water resources, he said: “Downstream industries would need less investment than upstream industries and they will be also more economical and job creative.”
Sha'ri-Moqaddam said the government is now authorized to invest in the downstream industries, adding that the Ministry of Petroleum would support the establishment of industrial parks and downstream industries in compliance with the state-of-the-art technology in border regions.