A life cycle analysis of the Canadian natural gas system

This paper outlines the development of a life cycle analysis (LCA) model of the Canadian natural gas industry using Battelle's Life-Cycle Advantage(TM) platform. This model, developed on behalf of the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) and the Gas Research Institute Canada (GRI-Canada), provides detailed information on the cradle to grave emissions Of CO2, CH4 and NO2 gases through each segment of the Canadian natural gas industry, including upstream, transmission, storage, distribution and end-use. Development of the model involved an initial design of the model structure, data gathering on emission factors, equipment counts and individual company gas throughputs, model construction, calibration and results verification. The model is useful for the Canadian natural gas industry as it provides detailed equipment-level information on emission profiles for each area of operation. It also allows for a full fuel cycle comparison of natural gas with other fossil fuels on an equivalent end-use energy basis. These results are particularly useful within the context of Canada's National Climate Change Process and when examining the role of natural gas in reducing Canada's greenhouse gas emissions as per Kyoto Protocol commitments.