The report, aims to present a compilation of available knowledge on the life cycle of mercury in crude oil and natural gas, to better understand the behaviour and emission and release pathways of mercury, particularly during the extraction, processing, management and waste disposal stages, and to illustrate various technologies for controlling the releases. It has been compiled from expert consultations and open access sources of information in order to present a critical review of existing knowledge and information gaps concerning mercury from oil and gas, to showcase the different reduction methods, and to provide relevant suggestions for further work including research and cooperation. It is intended for stakeholders from governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions, industry, academia and any other interested parties.
The Partnership Advisory Group (PAG) decided at its tenth meeting, held in Geneva on 23 November 2019, to begin work on the subject of mercury from oil and gas, which it had identified as cross-cutting between different Partnership areas. In follow-up to expert consultations in April 2020, Partnership area leads agreed to oversee a process for developing a study report, with a view to better understanding how mercury can be released, in addition to how waste is treated and accounted for and how it may enter the market for other uses. As per the leads’ guidance, the report could also identify the key differences between oil- and natural gas-related information, and thereby address the issues separately in order to determine the differences in the presence and management of mercury in the respective sectors.
The present study report has been developed in the context of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, following decision by the Partnership Advisory Group (PAG) at its tenth meeting (Geneva, 23 November 2019).
The International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE) was commissioned to draft the report, under the overall coordination of Lilian Corra (ISDE).
The study report received input of partners of the Global Mercury Partnership as well as experts and stakeholders from various organizations and background. The development of the study report indeed benefitted from a consultative process, involving experts from governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector, members of the Partnership as well as from other relevant organizations.
