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Natural Gas STAR Program

Recommended Technologies to Reduce Methane Emissions

Thumbnail image of a PRO fact sheetReview our Lessons Learned Studies and Partner Reported Opportunities (PRO) Fact Sheets to see how the U.S. EPA’s voluntary oil and gas methane program partners have implemented technologies and practices to cut methane emissions, reduce strategic and operational risk, and demonstrate their commitment to the environment.

Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government.


Compressors/Engines

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Wet Seal Degassing Recovery System for Centrifugal Compressors, PRO Fact Sheet $33,000 (one compressor); $90,000 (four compressors) 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Replace Gas Starters with Air or Nitrogen, PRO Fact Sheet #101 < $1,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Reduce Natural Gas Venting with Fewer Compressor Engine Startups and Improved Engine Ignition, PRO Fact Sheet #102 < $1,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Reducing Methane Emissions from Compressor Rod Packing Systems, Lessons Learned < $1,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves, PRO Fact Sheet #602 < $1,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Reducing Emissions When Taking Compressors Off-Line, Lessons Learned $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or Systems, PRO Fact Sheet #504 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Install Automated Air/Fuel Ratio Controls, PRO Fact Sheet #104 > $50,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Install Electric Motor Starters, PRO Fact Sheet #105 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Inject Blowdown Gas into Low Pressure Mains or Fuel Gas System, PRO Fact Sheet #401 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years     Transmission Distribution
Replace Compressor Cylinder Unloaders, PRO Fact Sheet #106 $10,000-$50,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Install Electric Compressors, PRO Fact Sheet #103 > $50,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Replacing Wet Seals with Dry Seals in Centrifugal Compressors, Lessons Learned > $50,000 1-3 years Production   Transmission  

Dehydrators

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Reroute Glycol Skimmer Gas, PRO Fact Sheet #201 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Pipe Glycol Dehydrator to Vapor Recovery Unit, PRO Fact Sheet #203 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Replace Glycol Dehydration Units with Methanol Injection, PRO Fact Sheet #205 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Portable Desiccant Dehydrators, PRO Fact Sheet #207 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production      
Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or Systems, PRO Fact Sheet #504 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Zero Emissions Dehydrators, PRO Fact Sheet #206 $10,000-$50,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Optimize Glycol Circulation and Install Flash Tank Separators in Glycol Dehydrators, Lessons Learned $10,000-$50,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing    
Convert Natural Gas-Driven Chemical Pumps, PRO Fact Sheet #202 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Convert Pneumatics to Mechanical Controls, PRO Fact Sheet #301 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Replacing Gas-Assisted Glycol Pumps with Electric Pumps, Lessons Learned $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing    
Replacing Glycol Dehydrators with Desiccant Dehydrators, Lessons Learned $10,000-$50,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing    

Directed Inspection and Maintenance

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Conduct Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Remote Sites, PRO Fact Sheet #901 < $1,000 0-1 year     Transmission Distribution
Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves, PRO Fact Sheet #602 < $1,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Gate Stations and Surface Facilities, Lessons Learned $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year     Transmission Distribution
Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Compressor Stations, Lessons Learned $10,000-$50,000 0-1 year     Transmission Distribution
Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Gas Processing Plants and Booster Stations, Lessons Learned $10,000-$50,000 1-3 years   Gathering and Processing    

Pipelines

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves, PRO Fact Sheet #602 < $1,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Insert Gas Main Flexible Liners, PRO Fact Sheet #402 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year       Distribution
Composite Wrap for Non-Leaking Pipeline Defects, Lessons Learned $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year     Transmission Distribution
Perform Valve Leak Repair During Pipeline Replacement, PRO Fact Sheet #601 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year     Transmission Distribution
Using Hot Taps for In Service Pipeline Connections, Lessons Learned $10,000-$50,000 0-1 year     Transmission Distribution
Recover Gas from Pipeline Pigging Operations, PRO Fact Sheet #505 $10,000-$50,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Using Pipeline Pump-Down Techniques to Lower Gas Line Pressure Before Maintenance, Lessons Learned > $50,000 0-1 year   Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Use Inert Gases and Pigs to Perform Pipeline Purges, PRO Fact Sheet #403 0 1-3 years   Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Convert Natural Gas-Driven Chemical Pumps, PRO Fact Sheet #202 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Inject Blowdown Gas into Low Pressure Mains or Fuel Gas System, PRO Fact Sheet #401 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years     Transmission Distribution
Inspect Flowlines Annually, PRO Fact Sheet #404 < $1,000 3-10 years Production      

Pneumatics/Controls

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Convert Gas Pneumatic Controls to Instrument Air, Lessons Learned > $50,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Options for Reducing Methane Emissions From Pneumatic Devices in the Natural Gas Industry, Lessons Learned < $1,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Convert Pneumatics to Mechanical Controls, PRO Fact Sheet #301 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Convert Natural Gas-Driven Chemical Pumps, PRO Fact Sheet #202 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Replacing Gas-Assisted Glycol Pumps with Electric Pumps, Lessons Learned $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing    

Tanks

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Convert Water Tank Blanket from Natural Gas to Produced CO2 Gas, PRO Fact Sheet #503 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production      
Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or Systems, PRO Fact Sheet #504 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Recover Gas from Pipeline Pigging Operations, PRO Fact Sheet #505 $10,000-$50,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Recover Gas During Condensate Loading, PRO Fact Sheet #502 < $1,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Install Pressurized Storage of Condensate, PRO Fact Sheet #501 $10,000-$50,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Installing Vapor Recovery Units on Storage Tanks, Lessons Learned > $50,000 1-3 years Production      

Valves

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Install BASO® Valves, PRO Fact Sheet #604 < $1,000 0-1 year Production      
Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves, PRO Fact Sheet #602 < $1,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Perform Valve Leak Repair During Pipeline Replacement, PRO Fact Sheet #601 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year     Transmission Distribution
Replace Burst Plates with Secondary Relief Valves, PRO Fact Sheet #605 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Install Excess Flow Valves, PRO Fact Sheet #603 $1,000-$10,000 3-10 years       Distribution

Wells

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves, PRO Fact Sheet #602 < $1,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Connect Casing to Vapor Recovery Unit, PRO Fact Sheet #701 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production      
Installing Plunger Lift Systems in Gas Wells, Lessons Learned $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production      
Install Compressors to Capture Casinghead Gas, PRO Fact Sheet #702 $10,000-$50,000 0-1 year Production      
Reduced Emission Completions for Hydraulically Fractured Natural Gas Wells, Lessons Learned > $50,000 0-1 year Production      
Convert Natural Gas-Driven Chemical Pumps, PRO Fact Sheet #202 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission  
Convert Pneumatics to Mechanical Controls, PRO Fact Sheet #301 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Options for Removing Accumulated Fluid and Improving Flow in Gas Wells, Lessons Learned $10,000-$50,000 1-3 years Production      

Other

Document Title Capital Cost Estimated Payback Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Reduce Frequency of Replacing Modules in Turbine Meters, PRO Fact Sheet #906 0 0-1 year     Transmission Distribution
Redesign Blowdown Systems and Alter ESD Practices, PRO Fact Sheet #908 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year     Transmission  
Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or Systems, PRO Fact Sheet #504 $1,000-$10,000 0-1 year Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Install Flares, PRO Fact Sheet #904 $10,000-$50,000 0-1 year Production   Transmission  
Nitrogen Rejection Unit Optimization, PRO Fact Sheet #905 > $50,000 0-1 year   Gathering and Processing    
Increase Walking Survey from a 5- to 3- Year Basis, PRO Fact Sheet #902 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years     Transmission Distribution
Install Electronic Flare Ignition Devices, PRO Fact Sheet #903 $1,000-$10,000 1-3 years Production Gathering and Processing Transmission Distribution
Replace Bi-Directional Orifice Metering with Ultrasonic Meters, PRO Fact Sheet #907 > $50,000 1-3 years     Transmission Distribution