Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP)

GHGRP 2011: Refineries

The refinery sector consists of facilities that produce gasoline, gasoline blending stocks, naphtha, kerosene, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils, lubricants, or asphalt (bitumen) by the distillation of petroleum or the redistillation, cracking, or reforming of unfinished petroleum derivatives. GHG process emissions from this sector include emissions from venting, flares, and fugitive leaks from equipment (e.g., valves, flanges, pumps). Besides the emissions from petroleum refining processes, the sector includes combustion emissions from stationary combustion units located at these facilities. Emissions from hydrogen production plants that are located at refineries are included in the chemical manufacturing sector. Emissions from industrial waste landfills and industrial wastewater treatment at these facilities are included in the waste sector.

 

Naphtha is a generic term applied to a family of petroleum distillates that are used as petrochemical feedstocks, and for products such as paint thinners, cleaners, and solvents.
Refineries Sector — Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
Reported to the GHGRP

(all emissions values presented in million metric tons CO2e unless 
otherwise noted)
  2011 2010
Number of facilities:   145 145
Total emissions (CO2e): 182 181
Emissions by greenhouse gas (CO2e)
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2):
  • Methane (CH4):
  • Nitrous oxide (N2O):

180
1
1

179
1
1

CO2 emissions from the combustion of biomass are NOT included in emissions totals provided above.

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