The issues of global warming and occurrence of the greenhouse effect are widely discussed on a global scale. Various methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions are actively being investigated and tested, including technologies for sequestration of carbon dioxide, the implementation of which is carried out in the form of CC(U)S (carbon capture, utilization and storage) projects related to capture, disposal and, in some cases, use of CO2. In Russia, CC(U)S technologies are not yet used, but there is a significant potential for their development and distribution. CC(U)S technologies acquire a special role in the context of the development of the energy and industrial sectors of Russia, which are key sources of emissions, and the geological objects belonging to them are potential carbon storages. The purpose of this study is to conceptually analyze the CC(U)S technological cycle and typify such projects, assess the prospects for their implementation in Russia, and identify social effects from the implementation of CC(U)S projects. The main results of the study are presented in the form of a typology of CC(U)S projects, a strategic analysis of the prospects for introduction of such technologies in Russia, as well as development of approaches to assessing social effects with systematization and highlighting a set of indicators for their assessment, which can serve as a basis for re-estimation of the values of CC(U)S projects. The main research methods used were methods of decomposition, systematization and typology, as well as strategic analysis with a focus on relevant practical materials on the topic of the work. Directions for further research are related to the substantiation of the methodology for assessing social effects of CC(U)S projects, including for the conditions of Russia, based on the principles of balancing the interests of key participants.
1 July 2021 in International Journal of Engineering
The article proposes to consider the problem of comprehensive assessment of project risks as applied to the energy industry. The authors of the research focused on the description of the applied solution. A real investment project on replacement of a bark boiler at Mondi Syktyvkar enterprise was chosen as an object for testing the results. We proposed to divide the risks accompanying the project into 2 categories: risks for which there is necessary and statistical information for their quantitative assessment and risks for which this information is absent. As a technique of a quantitative assessment of risks from the first category it is expedient to apply a method of Simulation modeling of Monte Carlo. In this case, the authors of the article conducted a significant analysis of existing methods for assessing project risks and the choice of the Monte Carlo methodology is due to the practical orientation of the study. In practice, the real enterprise is quite problematic to use more complex methods of assessment, such as methods of Real Options or methods of fuzzy logic, neural networks, etc. As a method of qualitative risk assessment (from the second category) the method of expert evaluation with subsequent calculation of risk premium in the discount rate was chosen. This method is common in practice and easy enough to implement. According to the results of the analysis (statistical and expert) the most dangerous risks of energy projects were identified: Production and technological risks (the risk of choosing the wrong technological scheme, the risk of reducing the quality of internal controls, the risk of incorrect calculation of the design capacity of energy production, the risk of industrial safety), security risks (the risk of hacking attacks on information systems of energy enterprises), as well as country risks. Among the most influential risks (based on the analysis of their impact on the main technical and economic indicators of the project) are: the risk of rising prices for purchased gas (fuel), the risk of high volatility of the dollar exchange rate. The results of the study were used in a real project and the risk assessment methodology was implemented in the project activities of Mondi Syktyvkar enterprise.
Sustainable development of the Arctic is the main priority of the state policy regarding regional development of the Russian Federation. The study of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation for the formation of principles, methods and strategies, as well as organizational and economic mechanisms for its sustainable development is topical at present. This article deals with one of the strategic decision-making tools used in the process of implementing the development program for the Russian Arctic, namely, the assessment of the technical and economic potential of the Arctic fields. The purpose of this assessment is to rank the fields according to the priority of their commissioning for a more optimal distribution of costs in the development of Arctic resources. This paper presents the results and methodology of technical and economic potential estimation in general, and the potential of the Arctic oil and gas fields in particular. An analysis of the conceptual apparatus in the field of the evaluation of various types of potential is carried out. The methodology for assessing the technical and economic potential of a field are investigated. The problems arising in the process of such an assessment are revealed. Recommendations for improving the methodology of assessing the technical and economic potential of oil and gas fields in the Arctic are given. The necessity of expanding the list of indicators for assessing the technical and economic potential of these fields, taking into account current trends, has been noted. A list of 10 technical and 26 economic indicators to assess the technical and economic potential of the development of offshore Arctic fields is proposed.
Exploitation of oil and gas resources in the Arctic offshore is one of Russia’s key priorities in such areas as science, economy, and technology. Global trends, harsh climate conditions, fragile ecosystems, conditions of the pandemic and post-pandemic periods, price volatility, and the growing importance of the environmental factor require that the process of developing the Arctic’s hydrocarbon resources should become strategically sustainable. The paper provides a deep literature review on sustainability issues, sustainable development, strategic sustainability, and project efficiency in the Arctic offshore oil and gas sector. The paper analyzes the trends and conditions that substantiate the need to transform the traditional sustainability concept to meet new challenges and comply with new policies. Based on the analysis, the authors propose a definition of and a conceptual framework for strategic sustainability of oil and gas offshore projects in the Arctic.
Using renewable energy off-grid power supply and choosing the right equipment that meets the operating conditions in the Arctic can provide companies with reliable power sources for producing gas at facilities located in remote areas and will reduce capital and operating costs associated with the construction of power transmission lines. For more than 15 years, a remote control system powered by renewable energy has been used in parallel with power transmission lines by Gazprom to operate its multiwell pads in Russia’s Far North, which validates the relevance of this study. The subject of the study is a group of gas condensate wells that consists of four multiwell pads operated by Wintershall Russland GmbH. The article discusses a stand-alone renewable-based power system as an option for powering remote oil and gas production facilities. The procedures used in the study include calculating such parameters as power output and power consumption, choosing equipment, describing the design features of a power supply system for a multiwell pad, conducting an economic assessment of the project, comparing different power supply options, analyzing project risks, and developing measures to mitigate these risks.
Carbon markets are highly relevant to the need to regulate man-made greenhouse gas emissions. As the world faces the dangerous effects of global warming, reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become a critical priority for governments, corporations and individuals around the world. Carbon markets offer a way to incentivize and encourage emissions reductions and facilitate a smooth transition to a low-carbon economy. Low-carbon development is possible by building transparent and understandable organizational and economic conditions for the operation of carbon regulation. This article considers the feasibility of introducing energy-efficient technologies at Polymetal International PLC enterprises located in Khabarovsk region, engaged in the mining and processing of non-ferrous and precious metals (gold, silver and copper) in light of the country’s growing attention to the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions. The objective of this study is to model the organizational and economic conditions of the carbon market and estimate the economic and climate outcomes from the implementation of energy-efficient technologies at Polymetal International PLC. This study analyzes the current energy-consumption structure of non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises in Russia and identifies potential areas for the use of energy-efficient technologies. An important aspect is the assessment of government policies and incentives that could facilitate the introduction of low-carbon technologies. It is important to assess the impact of prospective carbon-management plans in Russia on the economic performance of steel companies. The results of this study suggest that the introduction of low-carbon technologies has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from non-ferrous metal companies in Russia. However, the successful implementation of these technologies will require significant investment, stakeholder cooperation and political support from the Russian government.