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Accomplishments
- Introduction
- Ongoing Success in the U.S.
- Domestic Emissions Reductions by Sector
- Production Sector Accomplishments
- Gathering and Processing Sector Accomplishments
- Transmission Sector Accomplishments
- Distribution Sector Accomplishments
- Natural Gas STAR International
- New Tools and Resources
- Historical Accomplishments
Introduction
Established in 1993, the Natural Gas STAR Program is a flexible, voluntary partnership that encourages oil and natural gas companies—both in the United States and internationally—to adopt proven, cost-effective technologies and practices that improve operational efficiency and reduce methane emissions. Given that methane is the primary component of natural gas and is a potent greenhouse gas—21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide (CO2) in trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period—reducing methane emissions can result in environmental, economic, and operational benefits.
Natural Gas STAR partners have operations in all of the major industry sectors (production, gathering and processing, transmission, and distribution) that deliver natural gas to end users. Program partners represent 60 percent of the natural gas industry in the United States. Since the inception of the program, these domestic partners have eliminated over 1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of methane emissions by implementing approximately 150 cost-effective technologies and practices.
With the launch of Natural Gas STAR International in 2006, the Program has expanded to include companies worldwide, significantly increasing opportunities to reduce methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations. Natural Gas STAR International builds off of the framework of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), an international public-private partnership that advances the cost-effective, voluntary recovery of methane for use as a clean energy source. To date, Natural Gas STAR International partners have reduced methane emissions by 85.2 billion cubic feet (Bcf).
Together, Natural Gas STAR and Natural Gas STAR International have nearly 140 partner companies—16 of which are international partners. This page highlights the methane emissions reductions that both domestic and international partners have achieved, as well as the variety of technologies and practices they have implemented to reduce methane emissions.
Capacity Building
Many methane emission reduction technologies and practices promoted by Natural Gas STAR have become widely implemented as a result of Program events and resources which allow partners to share their experiences across the industry. This outreach and partner exchange occurs through the development of technical documents and articles, tools, Program sponsored workshops, meetings and study tours. Noteworthy events in 2010 included:
- The 18th Annual Implementation Workshop was held in conjunction with the Global Methane Initiative’s (GMI) Oil & Gas Subcommittee meeting from April 10-12, 2012 in Denver, Colorado, United States. This unique event included a tour of nearby oil and natural gas operations and technical sessions. It provided an opportunity for attendees to learn how Natural Gas STAR and GMI work collaboratively to encourage implementation of projects that reduce methane emissions, increase safety and enhance operational efficiency globally.
- Natural Gas STAR and GMI hosted a Study Tour pairing Natural Gas STAR International Partners with their U.S.-based peers to visit facilities and exchange ideas for accelerating methane capture and use and project implementation. Observed projects included vapor recovery units, plunger lifts, and reduced emission completions.
More information on these and all Natural Gas STAR sponsored events can be found at epa.gov/gasstar/workshops/index.html.
Ongoing Success in the U.S.
During calendar year 2012, 65 percent of U.S. partners submitted an annual report detailing their efforts in 2011 to reduce methane emissions from their operations. These voluntary activities consisted of nearly 100 technologies and practices and resulted in domestic emissions reductions of 84.7 Bcf for the year. These methane emissions reductions have cross-cutting benefits on domestic energy supply, industrial efficiency, revenue generation, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The 2011 emission reductions are equivalent to:
- The additional revenue of more than $339 million in natural gas sales (assumes an average natural gas price of $4.00 per thousand cubic feet).
- The avoidance of 34.3 million tonnes CO2 equivalent.
- The carbon sequestered annually by 7.3 million acres of pine or fir forests.
- The annual greenhouse gas emissions from nearly 6.6 million passenger vehicles.
Domestic Emissions Reductions by Sector
The following section illustrates the technologies and practices implemented by partners to reduce emissions. The following diagram shows some of the top methane emissions reduction opportunities for each sector.
Production Sector Accomplishments
Production sector partners reported 74.9 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2011—and a total of 764.3 Bcf since 1990. The top technologies and practices employed by production sector partners are displayed in the charts below.
Detailed information on these technologies and practices can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/gasstar/tools/recommended.html
Gathering and Processing Sector Accomplishments
Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990 - 2009, USEPA, April, 2011.Gathering and processing sector partners reported 1.5 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2011—and a total of 46.8 Bcf since 1990. The top technologies and practices employed by gathering and processing sector partners are displayed in the charts below.
Detailed information on these technologies and practices can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/gasstar/tools/recommended.html
Transmission Sector Accomplishments
Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990 - 2009, USEPA, April, 2011.Transmission sector partners reported 8.0 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2011—and a total of 244.5 Bcf since 1993. The top technologies and practices employed by transmission sector partners are displayed in the charts below.
Detailed information on these technologies and practices can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/gasstar/tools/recommended.html
Distribution Sector Accomplishments
Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990 - 2009, USEPA, April, 2011.Distribution sector partners reported 1.5 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2011—and a total of 44.2 Bcf since 1993. The top technologies and practices employed by distribution sector partners are displayed in the charts below.
Detailed information on these technologies and practices can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/gasstar/tools/recommended.html
New Tools and Resources
New Look for the Global Methane Initiative
(http://www.globalmethane.org/ participate/index.aspx 
)
The GMI has a new look. Building on the momentum surrounding the recent GMI (formerly the Methane to Markets Partnership) launch, the Administrative Support Group unveiled a new "look" to brand and unify GMI's website and materials. The new logo features the methane flame and sun rays, representing a new beginning for the program as well as methane's far-reaching potential for global change.
New Tools Help Partners Measure Fugitive Methane Emissions
Natural Gas STAR's technical guidance has assisted many partners in the purchase of equipment to measure methane emissions from their operations. Specifically, the equipment is being used by internal teams to assess leaks in order to evaluate and adopt cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions. Partners have reported purchasing equipment such as infrared cameras, flue gas analyzers, natural gas flow measurement systems, and probe leak detectors.
Natural Gas STAR International
In addition to the success reported under the domestic Program, progress is also being made in reducing global methane emissions through Natural Gas STAR International. International partners reported 7.4 Bcf in methane emissions reductions for a total of 85.2 Bcf since the inception of Natural Gas STAR International Program. To date, international partners have undertaken methane emission reduction activities in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Equatorial Guinea, India, Nigeria, and Poland. For 2011, these companies reported methane emissions reductions from the implementation of 23 technologies and practices.
The 2011 voluntary international methane emissions reductions are equivalent to:
- The additional revenue of more than $29.6 million in natural gas sales (assumes an average natural gas price of $4.00 per thousand cubic feet).
- The avoidance of 3.0 million tonnes CO2 equivalent.
- The carbon sequestered annually by nearly 638,000 acres of pine or fir forests.
- The annual greenhouse gas emissions from more than 572,000 passenger vehicles.
Historical Accomplishments
Please note that this is historical information. Each summary report below captures 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.
- 2010 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (7 pp, 906K, About PDF)
- 2009 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (7 pp, 891K, About PDF)
- 2008 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (8 pp, 1.2MB, About PDF)
- 2007 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (9 pp, 907K, About PDF)
- 2006 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (7 pp, 268K, About PDF)
- 2005 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (4 pp, 276K, About PDF)
- 2004 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (3 pp, 125K, About PDF)
- 2003 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (3 pp, 195K, About PDF)
- 2002 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments (PDF) (3 pp, 113K, About PDF)