300,000 Tons in Carbon Emissions to Saved by Autonomous Oil and Gas Operations

ABB has published another of its ‘Energy Transition Equation’ reports that show how industrial customers can reduce carbon emissions and manage the energy transition for a more sustainable future.

Based on nine months of research and modeling, the report highlights how early adoption and integration of automation, digitalization, and electrification technologies to enable autonomous operations can deliver savings of over 300,000 tons of carbon emissions per annum for offshore sites (approximately 25 percent reduction). This is the equivalent of removing 150,000 combustion cars from the road and is the same volume of CO₂ responsible for five million tons of glacier mass lost yearly.

“The world needs more energy,” said Brandon Spencer, President, of ABB Energy Industries. “Even in the most advanced scenarios for renewables, we will still need to invest in oil and gas infrastructure to ensure availability and stability of supply to meet our energy needs. Now is the time to make that investment count, using the right technology to ensure hydrocarbon energy production is the most sustainable it can be, as we continue to develop renewables.”

The report also demonstrates how companies can realize production efficiencies of up to $30 million in annual savings while delivering net revenue increases of up to $120,000, thanks to autonomous operations.

A vital part of this is redeploying companies’ offshore workforces, moving them from hazardous roles into new ones onshore. In doing so, employers can offer safer working environments, and a better work-life balance and fill industry talent gaps by reskilling employees to support a data-led approach to oil and gas exploration and production. 

In 2021, ABB reduced its own CO₂ emissions by 39 percent as part of its Sustainability Strategy 2030 and expects to be fully carbon neutral by the decade’s end. The strategy details how ABB will support its global customers in reducing their annual CO2 emissions by at least 100 megatons by 2030, the equivalent of removing 30 million combustion cars from the roads.

The report’s economic modeling was undertaken by independent economist Steve Lucas of Developmental Economics, in conjunction with ABB Energy Industries, and supported by desktop research of academic and industry sources. ABB will publish reports focused on the power and chemicals markets in 2023.

ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation, and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. 

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ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification, and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, and marine offerings. As the global # 2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team, and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations.

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