SINCE TIME BEGAN : salus populi suprema est lex - the right of the people is the supreme law : IN TRUTH WE TRUST
In
Canada, natural gas production is a significant part of the country’s
energy landscape. Let’s explore the natural gas resources and production in
Canada:
Natural
Gas Resources:
Canada is
estimated to have abundant natural gas resources, equivalent to over 200
years of current annual demand1.
These
resources are primarily located in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin
(WCSB), which spans provinces like British Columbia, Alberta and
Saskatchewan2.
Natural
Gas Production:
Conventional
natural gas production mainly occurs in the WCSB, with the highest
production in Alberta and British Columbia.
In
2010, British Columbia produced 2.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of
natural gas, growing to 8.3 Bcf/d by 2050.
Alberta’s
production declined from 10.8 Bcf/d in 2010 to 4.6 Bcf/d in
2050.
Saskatchewan’s
production decreased from 0.5 Bcf/d in 2010 to 0.3 Bcf/d by
20503.
Unconventional
Natural Gas:
Unconventional
natural gas, such as tight gas, is primarily located in northeast
British Columbia and northwest Alberta2.
Marketable
Natural Gas Production:
In
the Evolving Policies Scenario, natural gas production remains near
current levels through much of the next two decades.
Additional
investment in production to feed assumed liquefied natural gas (LNG)
export volumes increases production.
After
2040, with LNG exports assumed to stay flat, total production begins to
decline.
British
Columbia surpasses Alberta in production by 2028, largely due to LNG exports.
The
Evolving Policies Scenario assumes lower natural gas prices, higher
carbon costs, and lower LNG exports than the Current Policies
Scenario3.
LNG
Exports:
LNG
exports play a significant role in Canada’s natural gas industry.
By 2050, British Columbia’s share in LNG exports is projected
to be 4.9 Bcf/d3
Additionally :
Canada’s
annual volume of methane emissions from wetlands and peat bogs is
a significant contributor to the country’s greenhouse gas inventory. Let’s
delve into the details:
Methane
Emissions in Canada:
Methane
(CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for approximately 30% of
global warming since pre-industrial times.
In
Canada, over 95% of anthropogenic methane emissions come from three
primary sources:
Oil
and Gas Operations (38%)
Agriculture (30%)
In 2020, methane emissions represented 14% of
Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions 1.
Canada’s
Methane Reduction Strategy:
Canada
has developed the Faster and Further: Canada’s Methane Strategy to
address methane emissions.
The
goal is to reduce domestic methane emissions by more than 35% by 2030,
compared to 2020 levels.
This
strategy focuses on reducing methane in oil and gas, agriculture,
and landfill sites.
By implementing the outlined measures, Canada aims to make
significant progress toward its climate goals 1.
International
Commitments:
Canada
is part of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), which aims to reduce
human-caused methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
Additionally,
Canada supports the GMP Energy Pathway and allocates funds to support
methane mitigation projects in developing countries 1.
Current
and Projected Methane Emissions:
Here
are the projected methane emissions for Canada up to 2030:
2020:
91.99 MtCO₂e
These projections consider various sectors, including
agriculture, oil and gas, and waste 1.
In
summary, while wetlands and peat bogs contribute to Canada’s methane emissions,
addressing emissions from multiple sources is crucial for achieving climate
goals.
In
Canada, wetlands and peat bogs cover approximately 12% of
the country’s land surface, which amounts to more than 100 million
hectares12. These vital ecosystems play a crucial role in
maintaining biodiversity, water quality, and carbon storage. Let’s explore the
different types of wetlands found in Canada:
Bogs: Canada
boasts the largest area of bogs globally, spanning about 130 million
hectares (approximately 18% of our land area) 3. Bogs are characterized by their peat-covered surface,
acidic waters, and nutrient-poor conditions. They often feature cushion-forming
Sphagnum mosses, ericaceous shrubs, and black spruce trees.
Fens: Fens are another type
of peatland. They have a high water table but slow internal drainage. Like
bogs, fens also accumulate peat, with a minimum peat layer thickness of 40
cm. Vegetation in fens varies based on water quality and availability,
resulting in graminoid fens, shrub fens, and treed fens. Dominant plants
include black spruce, tamarack, sedges, grasses, and various mosses.
Marshes: These wetlands are
periodically inundated by standing or slowly moving water, making them rich in
nutrients. Marshes are mainly wet, mineral-soil areas, and while some may
contain shallow, well-decomposed peat, others remain free of woody vegetation.
Emergent vegetation in marshes includes reeds, rushes, and sedges.
Swamps: Swamps experience
standing or gently moving waters seasonally or for extended periods, leaving
the subsurface continuously waterlogged. Their substrate consists of mixtures
of mineral and organic materials, and they may contain peat deposits. Swamps can
be densely forested with coniferous or deciduous trees or tall shrub thickets.
Shallow Open Water Wetlands:
Also known as ponds or sloughs, these relatively small bodies of standing water
represent a transition stage between lakes and marshes. While they lack
emergent vegetation, floating, rooted aquatic macrophytes may be present.
These wetlands are essential
for maintaining ecological balance, supporting wildlife habitats, and
mitigating climate change
In
Canada, methane emissions arise from various sources, including the
tundra. Let’s delve into the details:
Methane
Emissions in Canada:
Methane
is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) responsible for approximately 30% of
global warming since pre-industrial times.
In
2020, methane emissions constituted 14% of Canada’s total GHG emissions.
The
primary sources of anthropogenic methane emissions in Canada are:
Oil
and gas operations (38%)
Agriculture (30%)
Canada’s
Methane Reduction Strategy:
Canada
has committed to reducing methane emissions as part of its 2030 Emissions
Reduction Plan.
The
goal is to achieve a 40-45% reduction below 2005 levels by 2030 and
net-zero emissions by 2050.
The
strategy focuses on sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture,
and landfills.
With
the outlined measures, Canada aims to reduce domestic methane emissions
by over 35% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels 1.
Global
Methane Pledge:
Canada
is part of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), which aims to reduce
human-caused methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
Additionally,
Canada supports the GMP Energy Pathway.
As
part of climate finance efforts, Canada allocates funds to support methane
mitigation projects in developing countries 1.
Arctic
Tundra and Methane:
Arctic
sea ice decline accelerates methane emissions from the Arctic tundra.
Between
2005 and 2010, emissions were approximately 1.7 million tonnes higher due
to sea ice decline compared to levels from 1981-1990 2.
Impact
of Methane Leaks:
Canada’s
methane leaks have a 20-year climate impact equivalent to five tonnes of
CO2 per Canadian.
Methane’s
rapid heating effect contributes significantly in the short term 3.
In summary, while the exact amount of methane in Canada’s tundra is not specified, addressing methane emissions remains crucial for global climate goals
