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Natural Gas STAR Program

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.

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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:

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