Plejdrup, M.S., Nielsen, O.-K. & Nielsen, M. 2009: Emission Inventory for Fugitive Emissions in Denmark. National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Denmark. 47 pp. – NERI Technical Report no. 739.
In 2007 the total Danish emission of greenhouse gasses was 66 641 Gg carbon dioxide (CO2) eqvivalents. Fugitive emissions from fuels account for 496 Gg CO2 eqvivalents or approximately 1 %. The major part of the fugitive emissions are emitted as CO2 (74 %) due to flaring of oil and gas. The major source of fugitive methane (CH4) emission is extraction of oil and gas in the North Sea, refining of oil and loading of oil onto ships both offshore and onshore.
Beside the greenhouse gasses CO2, CH4 and nitrous oxide (N2O) the inventory on fugitive emissions from fuels also includes emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), sulphur dioxide (SO2), dioxin, fluoranthene and particles. Flaring offshore and in the refineries is the only source to SO2, N2O, NOx, dioxin and CO. The fugitive emissions of NMVOC originate for the major part from extraction, loading of ships, transmission and distribution of oil and to a much lesser degree from natural gas and fugitive emissions from filling stations. The emission of particulate matter (PM) comes from storage of solid fuels (coal piles).
In accordance with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) definitions the inventory of fugitive emissions (Sector 1B) is segmented into sub-categories covering emissions from solid fuels (1B1c), from oil (1B2a) from natural gas (1B2b) and from venting and flaring (1B2c). In the Danish emission database emissions are held on SNAP level (Selected Nomenclature for Air Pollution) and afterwards aggregated according to the reporting formats.
The emission inventory is based on data from a number of data suppliers and emission factors. The overall method for estimating emissions is to multiply an activity by an emission factor. The data foundation and the adopted methods are outlined on sub-sector level in this report. The greenhouse gas emissions are calculated for the years 1990-2007 according to the reporting requirements. Further, projections are made for the years 2008-2030. The projection of fugitive emissions is based on the prognosis for the production of oil and gas, the Danish Energy projection and on extrapolation from the historical data. Political decisions and technological progresses are incorporated when possible, mainly in relation to the emission factors.
In order to ensure completeness in the emission inventory, future improvements have been identified and will be incorporated in the future. The identified future improvements cover emissions from storage tanks, from distribution of town gas and improvement of the inventory of emissions from offshore extraction of oil and gas.
