2015 Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments

This page highlights the 2015 methane emissions reductions that domestic partners have achieved, as well as the variety of technologies and practices they have implemented to reduce methane emissions.

• Introduction
• Domestic Accomplishments

Introduction

Natural Gas STAR Program partners have operations in all of the major industry segments (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 2015 to reduce methane emissions from their operations

Domestic Accomplishments

During calendar year 2016, U.S. domestic partners submitted an annual report detailing their efforts in 2015 to reduce methane emissions from their operations. These voluntary activities consisted of 51 technologies and practices and resulted in domestic emissions reductions of 53.5 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 $160 million in natural gas sales (assumes an average natural gas price of $3.00 per thousand cubic feet).

The charts below present the 2015 methane emissions reductions by segment as reported by Natural Gas STAR partners.

Below are segment-specific summaries of 2015 methane emissions reductions reported by partners and the top technologies and practices that were employed.   

Production Segment

Since 1990, Production segment partners have reported reductions totaling 943.6 Bcf. In 2015, Production segment partners reported 41.7 Bcf of methane emissions reductions through the use of a variety of technologies, such as: 

• Reducing emissions when removing accumulated fluid in gas wells by optimizing gas well venting times; installing a plunger or artificial lift system; or 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

Gathering and Processing Segment

Since 1990, Gathering and Processing segment partners have reported reductions totaling 51.2 Bcf. In 2015, Gathering and Processing segment partners reported 0.9 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 or replacing glycol dehydrators with methanol injection
• Installing/converting gas-pressure driven pumps to electric, mechanical, or solar driven pumps
• Installing vapor recovery units (VRUs) on storage tank atmospheric vents

Transmission Segment

Since 1990, Transmission segment partners have reported reductions totaling 293.5 Bcf. In 2015, Transmission segment partners reported 10.3 Bcf of methane emissions reductions through the use of a variety of technologies, such as:

• Reducing emissions from compressors by replacing gas engines with electric motor driven compressors or eliminating oil seal vents on compressors by retrofitting with non-venting dry seals
• Recovering high pressure gas from pipelines using pump-down techniques and avoiding pipeline venting by making connections to pipelines in service, under pressure, using hot tap connections
• Conducting gas leak inspections and repairs at compressor stations to reduce leaking components

Distribution Segment

Since 1990, Distribution segment partners have reported reductions totaling 48.5 Bcf. In 2015, Distribution segment partners reported 1.2 Bcf of methane emissions reductions through the use of a variety of technologies, such as:

• Reducing emissions from third-party damage (dig-ins) to underground piping by installing excess flow shutoff valves on customer service lines
• Conducting gas leak inspection surveys and repairing leaks at surface facilities 
• Converting from pressurized natural gas powered (pneumatic) controls to compressed air systems

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact the Natural Gas STAR team.