2018 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments
This page highlights the methane emissions reductions that Partners have achieved, as well as the variety of technologies and practices they have implemented to reduce methane emissions.
Introduction
Natural Gas STAR Partners have operations in all major industry segments (production, gathering and processing, transmission, and distribution) that deliver natural gas to end users.
Each year, these Partners submit annual reports documenting their previous year’s methane emission reduction activities. Since the inception of the Program, Partners have eliminated more than 1.63 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of methane emissions by implementing approximately 150 cost-effective technologies and practices. The section below provides data on activities implemented by Partners in 2018 to reduce methane emissions from their operations.
2018 Accomplishments
During calendar year 2019, Partners submitted an annual report detailing their efforts in 2018 to reduce methane emissions from their operations. These voluntary activities consisted of 56 technologies and practices and resulted in emissions reductions of 130.6 Bcf for the year. These methane emissions reductions have cross-cutting benefits on domestic energy supply, industrial efficiency, revenue generation, improved air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The emission reductions are equivalent to additional revenue of approximately $392 million in natural gas sales (assumes an average natural gas price of $3.00 per thousand cubic feet).
The charts below present the 2018 methane emissions reductions by segment, as reported by Natural Gas STAR Partners, and the total methane emissions reductions as of 2018.
Segment | Percentage* |
---|---|
Production | 88.9 |
Gathering and Processing | 0.3 |
Transmission | 9.0 |
Distribution | 1.8 |
Year** | Annual (Bcf) |
---|---|
2005 | 99.8 |
2006 | 93.6 |
2007 | 104.7 |
2008 | 118.1 |
2009 | 89.4 |
2010 | 102.6 |
2011 | 92.2 |
2012 | 70.0 |
2013 | 55.5 |
2014 | 54.9 |
2015 | 56.5 |
2016 | 53.7 |
2017 | 99.5 |
2018 | 130.6 |
Year** | Cumulative (Bcf) |
---|---|
2005 | 512.8 |
2006 | 606.5 |
2007 | 711.2 |
2008 | 829.4 |
2009 | 918.8 |
2010 | 1021.4 |
2011 | 1113.6 |
2012 | 1183.6 |
2013 | 1239.1 |
2014 | 1293.9 |
2015 | 1350.4 |
2016 | 1404.1 |
2017 | 1503.6 |
2018 | 1634.2 |
*Note that percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
**During the current reporting season, the Program received corrected data for activities conducted in previous years. The historical time series was recalculated incorporating this updated data, therefore, totals reported this year will not match those reported in previous accomplishments reports.
Below are segment-specific summaries of 2018 methane emissions reductions reported by Partners and the top technologies and practices that were employed.
Segment | Reductions Since 1993 | Reductions in 2018 |
---|---|---|
Production | 1,185.0 Bcf | 116.1 Bcf |
Gathering and Processing | 53.8 Bcf | 0.4 Bcf |
Transmission | 359.6 Bcf | 11.7 Bcf |
Distribution | 53.4 Bcf | 2.5 Bcf |
Production Segment
Since 1993, Production segment Partners have reported reductions totaling 1,185.0 Bcf. In 2018, Production segment Partners reported 116.1 Bcf of methane emissions reductions through the use of a variety of technologies, such as:
- Reducing blowdown frequency by using foaming agents, removing accumulated fluid in gas wells by installing a plunger or artificial lift system, and operating smart well automation
- Installing vapor recovery units (VRUs) on storage tank atmospheric vents
- Installing/converting gas-driven pumps to electric, mechanical, or solar driven pumps
Activity | Methane Reductions (Mcf) |
---|---|
Use foaming agents to reduce blowdown frequency | 87605150 |
Artificial lift: install smart lift automated systems on gas wells | 7885993 |
Install vapor recovery units on storage tanks | 6391822 |
Artificial lift: install plunger lifts | 6332355 |
Other | 7885036 |
Gathering and Processing Segment
Since 1993, Gathering and Processing segment Partners have reported reductions totaling 53.8 Bcf. In 2018, Gathering and Processing segment Partners reported 0.4 Bcf of methane emissions reductions through the use of a variety of technologies, such as:
- Capturing methane-containing gas from glycol dehydrators with flash tank separators
- Improving operational efficiency by installing electric compressors to eliminate fugitive emissions
- Installing/converting gas-pressure driven pumps to electric, mechanical, or solar driven pumps
Activity | Methane Reductions (Mcf) |
---|---|
Install electric compressors | 200429 |
Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrators | 97586.09 |
Install/convert gas-driven pumps to electric, mechanical, or solar pumps | 66775 |
Replace gas pneumatics with instrument air systems | 8184 |
Other | 19558.6 |
Transmission Segment
Since 1993, Transmission segment Partners have reported reductions totaling 359.6 Bcf. In 2018, Transmission segment Partners reported 11.7 Bcf of methane emissions reductions through the use of a variety of technologies, such as:
- Reducing emissions from compressors by using turbines at compressor stations, replacing gas engines with electric motor driven compressors, or eliminating oil seal vents on compressors by retrofitting with dry seals
- Using composite wrap to avoid venting non-leaking pipes for repair
- Recovering high pressure gas from pipelines using pump-down techniques, injecting blowdown gas into low pressure mains or fuel gas system, and avoiding pipeline venting by making connections to pipelines in service, under pressure, using hot tap connections
Activity | Methane Reductions (Mcf) |
---|---|
Use of turbines at compressor stations | 2869668 |
Inject blowdown gas into low pressure mains or fuel gas system | 2775760 |
Use composite wrap repair | 2045400 |
Use pipeline pump-down techniques to lower gas line pressure | 1432532 |
Replace wet compressor seals with dry seals | 1037760 |
Other | 1552500 |
Distribution Segment
Since 1993, Distribution segment Partners have reported reductions totaling 53.4 Bcf. In 2018, Distribution segment Partners reported 2.5 Bcf of methane emissions reductions through the use of a variety of technologies, such as:
- Conducting gas leak inspection surveys and repairing leaks at surface facilities
- Recovering high pressure gas from pipelines using pump-down techniques, injecting blowdown gas into low pressure mains or fuel gas system, and avoiding pipeline venting by making connections to pipelines in service, under pressure, using hot tap connections
- Reducing emissions from third-party damage (dig-ins) to underground piping by installing excess flow shutoff valves on customer service lines
Activity | Methane Reductions (Mcf) |
---|---|
DI&M at gate stations and surface facilities | 2187725 |
Identify and rehabilitate leaky distribution pipe | 97788.78 |
Use pipeline pump-down techniques to lower gas line pressure | 59354 |
Identify and replace high-bleed pneumatic devices | 57828.8 |
Other | 55411.63 |
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact the Natural Gas STAR team.
Historical Accomplishments
The Natural Gas STAR Program prepares accomplishments summaries annually to capture a snapshot of the Program's achievements at the time of original publication. Please refer to the most current information above for methane emissions reductions achieved and top technologies and practices implemented by Partners. You may also view historical summaries that document the accomplishments for previous years: