2012 EPA Natural Gas STAR Program 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 (C02) 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 more than 1.15 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of methane
emissions by implementing approximately 150 cost-effective technologies and practices.
Advancing Natural Gas STAR International
In 2012, EPA also met with several oil and gas companies to discuss the possibility of
joining NGSI. New partners include:
• India's Petronet LNG - This new partner company is a joint venture by the
Indian government to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) and set up LNG
terminals in the country. Petronet LNG Limited has set up the country's first
LNG receiving and regasification terminal in Dahej, Gujarat.
• Tunisia's Ecumed Petroleum - This new partner was referred by a connection
made via EPA's participation in a December 2011 GGFR workshop.
With the launch of Natural Gas STAR International (NGSI) 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, NGSII partners have reduced
methane emissions by 98 Bcf.
Together, Natural Gas STAR and NGSI have over 120 partner companies—20 of which are international
partners. This document 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.
Ongoing Success in the U.S.
During calendar year 2013, 59 percent of U.S. partners submitted an annual report detailing their efforts
in 2012 to reduce methane emissions from their operations. These voluntary activities consisted of
nearly 50 technologies and practices and resulted in domestic emissions reductions of 66 Bcf for the
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year. These methane emissions reductions have cross-cutting benefits on domestic energy supply,
industrial efficiency, revenue generation, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The 2012 emission
reductions are equivalent to:
• The additional revenue of more than $264 million in natural gas sales (assumes an average
natural gas price of $4.00 per thousand cubic feet).
• The avoidance of 26.7 million tonnes C02 equivalent.
• The carbon sequestered annually by 5.7 million acres of pine or fir forests.
Domestic Natural Gas STAR Methane Emissions Reductions as of 2012
u
CO
1,400.0
1,154
1,200.0
1,000.0
800.0
600.0
400.0
Annual (Bcf)
I Cumulative (Bcf)
200.0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2012 Methane Emissions Reductions by Sector (66 Bcf)
Production
¦ Gathering and Processing
Transmission
¦ Distribution
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2012 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. Recent
noteworthy events in 2012 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. The event gave a truly
worldwide perspective on the industry sector.
• Natural Gas STAR and GMI hosted a Study Tour pairing Natural Gas STAR International Partners
with their U.S.-based peers to tour facilities and exchange ideas for accelerating methane capture
and use and project implementation. Participants observed implemented projects that included
vapor recovery units, plunger lifts, and reduced emission completions.
• EPA conducted or participated in and sponsored numerous oil and gas sector workshops around
the world, including in Colombia and Indonesia. These workshops covered a variety of topics
related to oil and gas operations, such as industry best practices to detect, quantify, and reduce
methane emissions. Additionally, EPA provided measurement study support and collaborated on
international efforts targeting methane emissions in oil and gas operations, thereby enabling
natural gas savings and associated economic and energy supply benefits.
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Domestic Emissions Reductions by Sector
The following section illustrates the major sources of methane emissions from each industry sector and
the technologies and practices implemented by partners to reduce emissions. The information showing
the breakdown of emissions sources was taken from the EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011, dated April 2013, and the information showing Natural Gas STAR
partner activities was taken from partner reports and Natural Gas STAR historical data. The following
diagram shows some of the top methane emissions reduction opportunities for each sector:
Gas Storage
Oil Production
Perform reduced emissions
completions
Artificial lift: install plunger
lifts
Install vapor recovery units
(VRUs)
Gas Transmission
Gas Production & Processing
• DI&M: aerial leak
detection
• Nitrogen rejection unit
optimization
• Eliminate unnecessary
equipment and/or
systems
Use pipeline pumpdown
techniques to lower pressure
DI&M: compressor stations
Use of turbines at compressor
stations
Convert to instrument
air systems
Replace compressor
rod packing systems
Producing WcLls
_ Transmission Lines
Gathering Lines _
Ptocesaui# Plant
compressor
33
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Underground
Storage t f"|
n Largo Volume
\ Customer
City Gate
(R& g u I ato rs i M n: era)
Rcgula'orJMcScf
Residerraal
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Gas Distribution
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Production Sector Accomplishments
EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Emissions and Sinks: 1990 - 2011, April 2013. Available at:
epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/usinventorvreport.html.
Production sector partners reported 54 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2012—and a total of
819.4 Bcf since 1990. The top technologies and practices employed by production sector partners are
displayed in the charts below.
Top Technologies in 2012
Total Sector Reductions in 2012 =
54 Bcf
18%
23%
¦ Perform reduced emissions
completions
¦ Artificial lift: install plunger lifts
4%
Install vapor recovery units (VRUs)
5%
8°A
W 22%
¦ Identify and replace high-bleed
pneumatic devices
Install smart lift automated systems
on gas wells
Install/convert pump to
electric/mechanical/solar
Artificial lift: gas lift
10%^^
10%
¦ Other
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Top Technologies Since 1990
Cumulative Sector Reductions = 819.4 Bcf
¦ Perform reduced emissions
completions
¦ Artificial lift: install plunger lifts
Install vapor recovery units (VRUs)
on storage tanks
¦ Identify and replace high-bleed
pneumatic devices
Artificial lift: install smart lift
automated systems on gas wells
Route casinghead gas to VRU or
compressor
Install flares
Other
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Gathering and Processing Sector Accomplishments
EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Emissions and Sinks: 1990 - 2011, April 2013. Available at:
epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/usinventorvreport.html.
Gathering and processing sector partners reported 1 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2012—and
a total of 48 Bcf since 1990. The top technologies and practices employed by gathering and processing
sector partners are displayed in the charts below.
Top Technologies in 2012
Total Sector Reductions in 2012 = 1 Bcf
¦ Install flash tank separators on
glycol dehydrator
¦ Install electric compressors
Install/convert pump to
electric/mechanical/solar
¦ Redesign blowdown/alter ESD
practices
Replace glycol dehydration with
methanol injection
Replace gas pneumatics w/
instrument air systems
Use pipeline pumpdown techniques
to lower pressure
Other
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Top Technologies Since 1990
Cumulative Sector Reductions = 48 Bcf
36%
10%
I DI&M: aerial leak detection
I Nitrogen rejection unit
optimization
Eliminate unnecessary equipment
and/or systems
I Redesign blowdown/alter ESD
practices
DI&M: leak detection - IR
camera/optical imaging
DI&M: gas plants and booster
stations
Improve measurement systems to
track gas loss
Other
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Transmission Sector Accomplishments
EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Emissions and Sinks: 1990 - 2011, April 2013. Available at:
epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/usinventorvreport.html.
Transmission sector partners reported 10 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2012—and a total of
255.9 Bcf since 1993. The top technologies and practices employed by transmission sector partners are
displayed in the charts below.
Top Technologies in 2012
Total Sector Reductions in 2012 = 10 Bcf
Use pipeline pumpdown
techniques to lower pressure
Use of turbines at compressor
stations
Install electric compressors
Use composite wrap repair
Use hot taps for in-service
pipeline connections
DI&M: surface facilities
Install VRU on pipeline
liquid/condensate tank
Other
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Top Technologies Since 1993
Cumulative Sector Reductions = 255.9 Bcf
17%
14%
I Use pipeline pumpdown
techniques to lower pressure
I DI&M: compressor stations
Use of turbines at compressor
stations
l Install VRU on pipeline
liquid/condensate tank
Replace wet compressor seals
with dry seals
DI&M: surface facilities
Use composite wrap repair
Other
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Distribution Sector Accomplishments
EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Emissions and Sinks: 1990 - 2011, April 2013. Available at:
epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/usinventorvreport.html.
Distribution sector partners reported 1 Bcf of methane emissions reductions in 2012—and a total of
45.4 Bcf since 1993. The top technologies and practices employed by distribution sector partners are
displayed in the charts below.
Top Technologies in 2012
2% Total Sector Reductions in 2012 = 1 Bcf
16%
69%
I Identify and rehabilitate leaky
distribution pipe
I DI&M: surface facilities
Third-party damage
prevention/reduce emissions
I Install excess flow valves
Convert to instrument air
systems
Identify and replace high-bleed
pneumatic devices
Reduce/downgrade system
pressure (manual)
Other
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Top Technologies Since 1993
Cumulative Sector Reductions = 45.4 Bcf
13%
43%
I DI&M: surface facilities
I Identify and rehabilitate leaky
distribution pipe
DI&M: survey and repair leaks
I Identify and replace high-bleed
pneumatic devices
Use automated systems to reduce
pressure
DI&M: compressor station-non-
mainline transmission
Inject blowdown gas into low
pressure mains
Other
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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 7.6
Bcf in methane emissions reductions for a total of 98 Bcf since the inception of Natural Gas STAR
International Program. To date, international partners have undertaken methane emission reduction
activities in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, India, Indonesia, Nigeria,
Oman, Poland and Qatar. For 2012, these companies reported methane emissions reductions from the
implementation of 13 technologies and practices.
The 2012 voluntary international methane emissions reductions are equivalent to:
• The additional revenue of more than $30.4 million in natural gas sales (assumes an average
natural gas price of $4.00 per thousand cubic feet).
• The avoidance of nearly 3.1 million tonnes C02 equivalent.
• The carbon sequestered annually by more than 655,000 acres of pine or fir forests.
Natural Gas STAR International Methane Emissions Reductions as of 2012
120
100
80
£ 60
40
20
98
rrri
Annual (Bcf)
I Cumulative (Bcf)
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
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Co-locating GMI Oil & Gas Subcommittee Meeting and
Natural Gas STAR Annual Implementation Workshop
In April 2012, GMI co-located their Subcommittee meeting with the Natural Gas STAR Annual
Implementation Workshop. Linking GMI with similar organizations/initiatives is paramount as
both promote the recovery and use of methane from oil and gas operations, so there are
similarities in the technologies and approaches that each program member employs and the
barriers and challenges each faces. Conducting combined meetings increases collaboration and
communication on cross cutting issues in addition to conserving resources.
GMI is planning to co-locate their upcoming Subcommittee meeting with the Natural Gas STAR
Annual ImDlementation WorkshoD in the SDrina of 2014.
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