2014 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments

This page highlights the 2014 methane emissions reductions that domestic partners achieved, as well as the variety of technologies and practices they implemented to reduce methane emissions.

• Introduction
• Domestic Accomplishments

Introduction

Natural Gas STAR Program partners have operations in all of the major industry sectors (production, gathering and processing, transmission, and distribution) that deliver natural gas to end users.

Each year, these partners submit an annual report documenting their previous year’s methane emission reduction activities. The section below provides data on activities implemented by partners in 2014 to reduce methane emissions from their operations

Domestic Accomplishments

During calendar year 2015, U.S. domestic partners submitted an annual report detailing their efforts in 2014 to reduce methane emissions from their operations. These voluntary activities consisted of nearly 46 technologies and practices and resulted in domestic emissions reductions of 52 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 emission reductions are equivalent to:

• The additional revenue of more than $206 million in natural gas sales (assumes an average natural gas price of $4.00 per thousand cubic feet).
• The avoidance of 24.7 million tonnes CO₂ equivalent.
• The carbon sequestered annually by 20.3 million acres of U.S. forests.

The charts below present the 2014 methane emissions reductions by sector as reported by Natural Gas STAR partners.

Click on a tab below to view sector-specific charts displaying the 2014 methane emissions reductions reported by partners and the top technologies and practices that were employed.   

Production Sector Accomplishments

Production sector partners reported 42.1 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2014—and a total of 901.9 Bcf since 1990. The following is a list of top technologies and practices used by production sector partners in 2014:

• Artificial lift: install plunger lifts
• Install smart lift automated systems on gas wells
• Install vapor recovery units (VRUs)
• Optimize gas well unloading times
• Install and/or convert pump to electric, mechanical, and/or solar
• Identify and replace high-bleed pneumatic devices
• Artificial lift: gas lift

The chart below shows the top technologies and practices used by production sector partners since 1990.

Gathering & Processing Sector Accomplishments

Gathering and processing sector partners reported 1.1 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2014—and a total of 50.3 Bcf since 1990. The following is a list of top technologies and practices used by gathering and processing sector partners in 2014:

• Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrator
• Install electric compressors
• Install and/or convert pump to electric, mechanical, and/or solar
• Redesign blowdown and/or alter ESD practices
• Replace glycol dehydration with methanol injection
• Replace gas pneumatics with instrument air systems
• Directed Inspection & Maintenance (DI&M): gas plants and booster stations

The chart below shows the top technologies and practices used by gathering and processing sector partners since 1990.

Transmission Sector Accomplishments

Transmission sector partners reported 8.2 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2014—and a total of 280.4 Bcf since 1993. The following is a list of top technologies and practices used by transmission sector partners in 2014:

• Use of turbines at compressor stations
• Use pipeline pumpdown to lower pressure
• Replace wet compressor seals with dry seals
• Install electric compressors
• Use hot taps for in-service pipeline connections
• Pipeline replacement and repair
• Reduce and/or downgrade system pressure

The chart below shows the top technologies and practices used by transmission sector partners since 1993.

Distribution Sector Accomplishments

Distribution sector partners reported 0.8 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2014—and a total of 46.8 Bcf since 1993. The following is a list of top technologies and practices used by distribution sector partners in 2014:

• Identify and rehabilitate leaky distribution pipe
• Directed Inspection & Maintenance (DI&M): surface facilities
• Install excess flow valves
• Improve system design and/or operation
• Third-party damage prevention and/or reduce emissions
• Convert to instrument air systems
• Pneumatic devices to mechanical and/or electronic

The chart below shows the top technologies and practices used by distribution sector partners since 1993.