Aspectos sobre a elaboração de nota técnica para padronizar os inventários de emissões de gases de Efeito Estufa do setor brasileiro de exploração e produção de petróleo e gás

Abstract

The subject of climate change is at the forefront all over the world, whether in the media, in political discourse, or in national and international discussion forums. Ever since the Earth Summit (known in Portuguese as Eco-92), evidence has shown that an increase in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions is likely contributing to climate change. GHGs are named as such because of their capacity to absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, and to send part of this radiation back to the surface, thus effectively participating in the so-called greenhouse effect. Within the issue of GHG emissions - the focus of this paper - GHGs were analyzed specifically from the offshore oil and gas industry during exploration and production activities. This subject is a priority and has sparked interest due to two recent events on the national scene. The first is related to the discovery of oil and gas in the pre-salt geological layer, in unprecedented quantities in the history of Brazil. The second relates to a new regulatory framework - the National Climate Change Policy (Law no. 12,187, of December 29, 2009) - which, in its article 12, calls for an emissions reduction of 36.1 to 38.9% by 2020, taking into account estimated projections for GHG emissions in Brazil for the period. However, there are still sectors for which there are no targets for the reduction of GHG emissions, such as in the Exploration and Production (E&P) sector in the oil and gas industry; hence the importance of this paper, which seeks to fill this legal gap - including inventories, monitoring, mitigation and offsetting measures for GHG emissions. The objectives of this paper are: i) to develop a proposal for a standard to be published in the form of a technical brief by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), to regulate and standardize Greenhouse Gas emissions inventories, monitoring procedures, as well as mitigation and offsetting measures for licensing within this body; and ii) to prepare a case study on the reforestation of an area of 204 hectares in the Pedra Branca State Park (PEPB), which is the first offsetting measure taken for GHG emissions to be implemented within the oil and gas industry in Brazil - a pioneering initiative which deserves attention. The results shown are the technical products; the draft of the technical brief is ready and will be published for public consultation. The evaluation for the case study on the reforestation of the PEPB has been finalized for the proposed period; however, this is a long-term project and will require monitoring over its duration. The technical brief will offer contributions for a more sustainable and less carbon-intensive sector, through the efficient management of greenhouse gases. The case study concluded that the project is environmentally relevant for the region and it complements the technical brief, offering suggestions in relation to future emissions offsetting projects to be submitted for the environmental licensing of oil and gas E&P activities in Brazil.