18 Dec 2018
The Australian oil and gas industry’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions[1] has again been highlighted by a new partnership between Santos and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The partnership aims to reduce emissions with an Australian-first rollout of 100 per cent renewable energy to power Santos’ oil well operations in the Cooper Basin in South Australia and Queensland.
APPEA Chief Executive Malcolm Roberts said the project sits alongside a range of other innovations the oil and gas industry is taking across the country to reduce its emissions.
“The oil and gas industry already makes a significant contribution to emissions reduction by producing cleaner energy for domestic gas customers and export customers in Asia,” Dr Roberts said.
“This innovative project will power pumps on oil wells using solar and batteries at 56 sites in the Cooper Basin and is a practical demonstration of the actions the industry is taking to shrink its carbon footprint.”
Extending the use of renewables to gas operations could allow more natural gas to be available for sale, adding to gas supply and helping to place downward pressure on prices.
The solar beam pump will reduce emissions and waste from oil production, saving 140 barrels of oil used each day to fuel the pumps.
[1] The project will cost just over $16 million, with ARENA contributing $4.2 million or about 25 per cent. The grant is being made under the Advancing Renewables Program that supports a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects with the potential to provide affordable and reliable renewable energy in Australia. https://www.santos.com/media-centre/announcements/santos-rolls-out-renewable-energy-in-the-cooper-basin/
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