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Data Management Systems
A robust data management system is essential for the
level of rigor that is now required of oil and gas
companies. It is critical if companies want to truly
"manage" their emissions, and to report those emissions (and
associated reductions) through a defensible and transparent
process. This will become even more important as
emissions reduction programs and emissions trading programs
begin to be implemented.
The first step in "managing" emissions, is the ability to
track emissions and emission intensities on a more frequent
basis. This allows for trending of emissions and for
planning targeted reduction strategies.
In order to achieve these goals, a data management system
must be:
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Accessible:
it must allow multi-user access and provide users
easy access for viewing and editing data, both
corporately and at the field level. |
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Comprehensive:
it must be able to calculate not only emissions from
combustion equipment, but also gas venting, storage
tank losses, and other fugitive process emissions. |
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User Friendly:
it is critically important that the system's user
interface be designed to be straight-forward and
simple to understand. |
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Consistent and
Transparent: in order to drive consistency
in calculation and reporting within the oil and gas
sector, the application must be based on recommended
estimation protocols and calculation methodologies. |
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Current and Timely:
in order to properly "manage" emissions and develop
effective emissions reduction strategies, companies
need access to current emissions and energy usage
data. Calculation and reporting of emissions data
related to operations from the previous year is no
longer adequate. |
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Auditable: it
must be able to track changes in order to provide a
historical record of how emissions are/were
calculated. |
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Adaptable: it
must allow for the ongoing realities of facility
acquisitions/divestitures, and equipment
addition/decommissioning. |
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