Thought Leadership

By David Cole, Director at KBR Project Solutions

Here at KBR, we're at the forefront of evolving the offshore energy sector's approach to minimising environmental impact. As we look beyond the basic reporting of scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, the industry's gaze is turning towards scope 3 emissions. Many leading energy companies are beginning to set targets in this area, even though it's not yet a requirement. However, navigating through this commitment is a complex journey that necessitates expert guidance.

Let's explore how we can implement emissions reporting and analysis throughout the lifecycle of offshore assets.

The Complex Nature of Carbon Emissions Reporting in Offshore Environments

Achieving a standardised and accurate view of carbon emissions in offshore settings has been a challenging endeavour. The reliability of data is paramount, yet historical data collection efforts have been marred by inconsistencies. This lack of a unified model for offshore installations has hindered comparative analysis across the sector. Moreover, existing frameworks like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the US' Generally Accepted Accounting Principles fall short of fully addressing scope 3 emissions, which encompass equipment manufacture, fabrication, transportation, and installation.

The industry's previous approaches to reporting have often leaned towards qualitative methods or those designed for different sectors. However, with regulations tightening, there's a growing need for a shift towards an analytical, data-driven approach. This strategy will not only improve transparency but will also pave the way for effective emission reduction strategies.

Five Key Steps to Reduce Emissions Through Data Analysis

Hindsight – Reflecting on past projects and their carbon emissions sets a benchmark, helping to define achievable reduction targets for future offshore projects.

Oversight – Diagnostic analytics provide a deeper understanding of lifecycle emissions, enhancing clarity on embodied and operational emissions trends and patterns.

Foresight – Predictive analytics, bolstered by machine learning, shed light on potential future scenarios, guiding towards more sustainable development paths.

Insight – Prescriptive analytics offer actionable insights, suggesting ways to refine project designs to minimise carbon emissions.

Right sight – Exploring 'what if' scenarios with cognitive analytics enables the consideration of alternative strategies and solutions, fostering a comprehensive understanding of sustainable practices.

To effectively analyse data across these different levels requires robust tools, software, and methodologies. At KBR, we're committed to providing a precise solution for carbon accounting and analysis, supporting informed decisions in the offshore sector. While our solution, CleanSPENDSM, isn't just about compliance, it plays a crucial role in estimating emissions from various components and materials, facilitating the shift towards carbon-efficient alternatives.

The Future of Emissions Reporting in Offshore Projects

Traditional carbon emission calculations offer a descriptive analysis of past emissions. Our advanced analytical approach takes us a step further, enabling the identification of trends and implications for both traditional and alternative execution strategies. This approach paves the way for a more standardised and comprehensive understanding of carbon performance.

As the call for ambitious corporate sustainability goals grows louder from shareholders, the adoption of advanced data analysis techniques becomes increasingly critical. From benchmarking historical projects to predictive modelling and cognitive analysis, understanding the full lifecycle of carbon emissions is essential. This holistic view allows for accurate assessments of emissions, including the broader scope 3 emissions, thereby enhancing decision-making throughout the lifecycle of offshore projects.

To dive deeper into carbon footprint calculation and discover KBR's offshore-focused solution, CleanSPENDSM, we invite you to download our white paper, "Carbon cognitive; turning guesswork into quantitative emissions modelling and representation."

Click here to download our white paper and explore how we're turning data into actionable insights for a more sustainable future.