Comparison of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from unconventional ultra-sour and conventional gas feedstock for power: A case study of the United Arab Emirates

The electricity sector is UAE's leading CO₂ emission source. The country is rich in fossil energy including gas. However, due to demand pressures the country has been forced to develop its unconventional gas resources containing over 20% hydrogen sulfide and 10% carbon dioxide. The sweetening process for this unconventional gas resource is particularly very energy and greenhouse gas emission intensive compared with conventional gas. The present analysis aims to quantify the well-to-grid GHG emissions per kilowatt hour (kWh) of domestic gas-based power delivered in the country. The GHG emissions are estimated making use of mathematical models, simulation software, and engineering principles. The well-to-grid emission lifecycle includes: gas extraction, raw gas gathering and transmission, gas processing, sweet gas product transmission, electricity generation, distribution and transmission, and end-use. Two types of gas resources were examined: ultra-sour and conventional gas. The results show that the well-to-grid GHG emissions of domestic gas-based power ranges from 546 to 630 g CO₂ eq./kWh and 474–545 g CO₂ eq./kWh for ultra-sour and conventional gas, respectively. Thus, placing the country in the low-mid range literature values (416–730 g CO₂ eq./kWh).