An Examination of Drill Rig NOx Emission

Abstract

This article creates awareness of greenhouse gases (GHG). The greenhouse gases play a significant role in climate change. The GHG includes NOx which is N2O, NO, and NO2. NOx can be produced from several human activities, including agricultural practices and drill rigs engine activities. However, drill rig emissions have received limited attention in Nigeria compared to agricultural emissions. This article addresses this research gap by examining the production of NOx emissions from drill rigs in Nigeria and its contributing effects. It also discusses the effects of climate change, which include increases in temperature, rainfall, rising sea levels, and the incidence of flooding. Storm aberrations, shortages of usable land, and potable water accompany this. The study adopts a methodology based on the correlation established by Russell (2006) to derive formation emission factors for onshore, offshore, and deep offshore Nigerian wells. The formation emission factors are based on the number of wells drilled in these locations from 2002 to 2004 and the average depth of wells in these locations. The analysis reveals that while NOx levels in Nigeria are currently low, they exhibit a constant upward trend. This observation is significant for a country heavily reliant on the petroleum industry for foreign exchange earnings and economic stability. Furthermore, considering Nigeria’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and associated hazards, understanding the effect of drill rig NOx emissions and its production becomes crucial. By shedding light on this overlooked aspect, this research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental implications and sustainable practices in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.