2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
2011-2021 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Industrial
Profile: Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems in the GHG Reporting Program 3
Reported GHG Emissions from Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems 5
Reported Emissions by Industry Segment 5
Reported Emissions by Greenhouse Gas 7
Reported Combustion and Process Emissions 7
Reported GHG Emissions by Industry Segment and Source 9
Onshore Production 10
Offshore Production 12
Gathering and Boosting 13
Natural Gas Processing 15
Natural Gas Transmission Compression 16
Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline 17
Underground Natural Gas Storage 17
LNG Import/Export 18
LNG Storage 18
Natural Gas Distribution 18
Changes from 2011 to 2021 20
Changes in Number of Facilities 20
Changes in Reported Emissions 21
Additional Information 24
Glossary 24
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Introduction
All emissions presented here reflect the most recent information reported to EPA as of 8/13/2022. The reported
emissions exclude biogenic carbon dioxide (C02). Greenhouse gas (GHG) data displayed here are in units of carbon
dioxide equivalent (C02e) and reflect the global warming potential (GWP) values from Table A-l of 40 CFR 98,
which is generally based on the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report (AR4), with the
addition of GWPs from the IPCC AR5 forfluorinated GHGs that did not have GWPs in the AR4. The AR4 GWP value
for methane (CH4) is 25 and AR4 GWP value for nitrous oxide (N20) is 298.
In Fall 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released 2021 greenhouse
gas (GHG) data for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems1 collected under the Greenhouse
Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). The GHGRP, which was required by Congress in the
Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, requires facilities to report data from
large emission sources across a range of industry sectors, as well as from suppliers of
certain greenhouse gases and products that would emit GHGs if released or combusted.
The data show 2021 GHG emissions from 2,378 facilities conducting Petroleum and Natural
Gas Systems activities, such as production, gathering and boosting, processing,
transmission, and distribution. In total, these facilities accounted for GHG emissions of 312
million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CChe). In 2021, reported GHG emissions
from Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems represented 11.5 percent of emissions reported
to the GHGRP.
When reviewing these data and comparing them to other data sets or published literature,
it is important to understand the GHGRP reporting requirements and the impacts of these
requirements on the reported data. Facilities used uniform methods prescribed by the EPA
to calculate GHG emissions, such as direct measurement, engineering calculations, or
emission factors derived from direct measurement. In some cases, facilities had a choice of
calculation methods for an emission source.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems is one of the more complex source categories within
the GHGRP because of the number of emission sources covered, technical complexity,
variability in the calculation methods used for a particular emission source, and variability
across facilities. It is expected that there can be differences in reported emissions from one
facility to another. As described in more detail below, there is a reporting threshold, and
the reporting requirements do not cover certain emission sources. Thus, the data do not
represent the entire universe of emissions from Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems.
Starting with data reported for 2016, facilities reported emissions from select emission
sources in gathering and boosting systems, blowdown emissions from natural gas
transmission pipelines, and emissions from oil well completions and workovers with
hydraulic fracturing. Facilities also began reporting well identification numbers for
1 The implementing regulations of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems source category of the GHGRP are located at 40 CFR
Part 98 Subpart W.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
onshore production wells starting with data reported for 2016. While changes in the total
number of reporting facilities can cause changes in total reported emissions from year-to-
year, a number of factors, such as those detailed above, contribute to differences as well.
In addition, the reporting requirements were significantly revised in 2014, so some activity
data reported starting in 2015 are not available for previous years. Furthermore, there
were some deferred activity data reported for 2011-2013, as part of the reporting year
2014 submissions. All of these factors could impact cross-segment, cross-source, cross-
facility, or cross-year comparisons. It is important to be aware of these limitations and
differences when using this data, particularly when attempting to draw broad conclusions
about emissions and activities from this sector.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems in the GHG Reporting Program
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems source category of the GHGRP (Subpart W)
requires reporting from the following 10 industry segments for 2021:
• Onshore Production - Production of petroleum and natural gas associated with
onshore production wells and related equipment;
• Offshore Production - Production of petroleum and natural gas from offshore
production platforms;
• Gathering and Boosting - Gathering pipelines and other equipment that collect
petroleum/natural gas from onshore production gas or oil wells and then compress,
dehydrate, sweeten, or transport the petroleum/natural gas;
• Natural Gas Processing - Processing of field-quality gas to produce pipeline-quality
natural gas;
• Natural Gas Transmission Compression - Compressor stations used to transfer
natural gas through transmission pipelines;
• Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline - A rate-regulated interstate or intrastate
pipeline, or a pipeline that falls under the "Hinshaw Exemption" of the Natural Gas
Act;
• Underground Natural Gas Storage - Facilities that store natural gas in underground
formations;
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Import/Export - Liquefied Natural Gas import and
export terminals;
• LNG Storage - Liquefied Natural Gas storage equipment; and
• Natural Gas Distribution - Distribution systems that deliver natural gas to
customers.
Figure 1 below illustrates the segments of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems source
category that were required to report under the GHGRP for 2021.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 1: Petroleum and Natural Gas Operations Covered by the GHG Reporting
Program
Production & Processing Natural Gas Transmission & Storage
1. Onsbare Petroleum S Natural Gas
PwxJuctofi
2. Offshore Petroleum A Natural Gas
Pnxlucton
3. Total Crude Oil to Refineries
4. Petroleum Refining
0, (lathering and Boosting
'Data Gtrtecfoon begin n HV 2010-
0. Gas Processing Plant
"May rxjn^j*-. F nicfcon*on equpmeni
7, Nalurai Gas Uq^ds (NOU Suppty
B. Trara^nwon Corn pressor Stations
9. Underground Storage
10. Liquified Nafural Gas {LNG) Storage
11. LMG Import-Export Equpmont
12. NtWural Gaa TranaroiMton Rp«^ne
'Cuu eettae&an Do^ikn in RY 2016
Distribution
13. Large End Users
14. Natural Gas Distnbi^ion
15. N«unM Go* & P«trol*um Suppty
to Small End Users
Subpart W: Emissions from petroleum & natural
gas systems
Subpart V: Emissions torn petroleum refineries
Subpart MM CO, «ssoei«*d wth supply of
pirfro&wim products
Subpart NN: CO associated with supplies d
natural 4 nsUunai q&s liqykJe
Not r«port«d under C,*H&AP
—I @
¦Hi! 4.,*
Larg* and-usar
emission* reported
under relevant subparts
for other industries.
Other segments of the petroleum and natural gas industry are covered by the GHGRP but
not included in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems (Subpart W) source category, such
as Petroleum Refineries (Subpart Y), Petrochemical Production (Subpart X), Suppliers of
Petroleum Products (Subpart MM), and Suppliers of Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids
(Subpart NN).
As noted above, the GHGRP also includes reporting of stationary fuel combustion emissions
from facilities that are associated with the petroleum and natural gas industry, but that do
not report process emissions from any of the above source categories, such as certain
facilities that have a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
beginning with 211 (the general NAICS for oil and gas extraction).2 These facilities are
referred to as "Other Oil and Gas Combustion" in this document.
The GHGRP covers a subset of national emissions from Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems.
A facility in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems source category is required to submit
annual reports if total emissions are 25,000 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (C02e)
or more.
The EPA has a multi-step data verification process, including automatic checks during data-
entiy, statistical analyses on completed reports, and staff review of the reported data.3
Based on the results of the verification process, the EPA follows up with facilities to resolve
mistakes that may have occurred during the reporting period.
The EPA has made available the optional use of best available monitoring methods (BAMM)
for targeted circumstances where the EPA made recent changes to GHGRP monitoring
requirements for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems.4 In certain previous reporting years,
in order to provide facilities with time to adjust to the requirements of the GHGRP, the EPA
made available the optional use of BAMM for unique or unusual circumstances. Where a
facility used BAMM for any reporting year, it was required to follow emission calculations
specified by the EPA but allowed to use alternative methods for determining inputs to
calculate emissions. Examples of BAMM include monitoring methods used by the facility
that do not meet the specifications of 40 CFR Part 98 Subpart W, supplier data, engineering
calculations, and other company records. As of reporting year 2017, no facilities have been
approved to use BAMM.
Reported GHG Emissions from Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
The following section provides information on reported GHG emissions by industry
segment, greenhouse gas, and combustion and process emissions for the 2021 reporting
year.5
orted Emissions 1 . 1 jment
The 2021 reporting year was the 11th year that GHG emissions from Petroleum and
Natural Gas Systems activities were required to be collected. The EPA received reports
2 For more information, go to https://ccdsupport.com/a)nfluonco/display/ghgp/Undorstanding+Facility+Typos.
3 For more information on verification, go to http://www.epagov/ghgreportog/ghgrp-me!hodology-and-verificatioii.
4 For more information on BAMM, go to http://www.epa.gov/ghgroporting/ghgrp-methodology-and-vorification.
5 "Reporting year" means the calendar year during which the GHG data are required to be collected for purposes of the annual
GHG report. For example, reportingyear 2021 was January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021, and the annual reports for
reportingyear 2021 were required to be submitted to EPA by March 31, 2022.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
from 2,379 facilities6 with Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems activities, with total
reported GHG emissions of 312 million metric tons (MMT) CChe.
Table 1 presents number of facilities and reported emissions in 2021 by industry segment.
The largest industry segment in terms of reported GHG emissions was Onshore Production,
with a total of 90 MMT CChe, followed by Gathering and Boosting, with reported emissions
of 86 MMT CChe. Natural Gas Processing accounted for 59 MMT CChe. The next largest
segment was Natural Gas Transmission Compression, with reported emissions of 33 MMT
CChe. Reported emissions from LNG Import/Export totaled 14 MMT CChe. The remaining
segments accounted for total reported emissions of approximately 30 MMT CChe.
Table 1: 2021 Reported Emissions by Industry Segment
Industry Segment Number of Facilities Reported Emissions
(MMT C02e)
Onshore Production 470 90
Offshore Production 132 6
Gathering and Boosting 365 86
Natural Gas Processing 452 59
Natural Gas Transmission 648 33
Compression
Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline 50 3
Underground Natural Gas Storage 49 1
LNG Import/Export 11 14
LNG Storage 5 <1
Natural Gas Distribution 165 12
Other Oil and Gas Combustion 56 7
Total 2379 312
Note: Total number of facilities is smaller than the sum of facilities from each segment
because some facilities reported under multiple segments.
6 In general, a "facility" for purposes ofthe GHGRP means all co-located emission sources that are commonly owned or operated.
However, the GHGRP has developed specialized facility definitions for onshore production, gathering and boosting, natural gas
transmission pipeline, and natural gas distribution. For onshore production, the "facility" includes all emissions associated with
wells owned or operated by a single company in a specific hydrocarbon producing basin (as defined by the geologic provinces
published by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists). For gathering and boosting, a "facility" means all gathering
pipelines and other equipment located along those pipelines that are under common ownership or common control by a
gathering and boosting system owner or operator and that are located in a single hydrocarbon basin. For natural gas
transmission pipeline, a "facility" means the total U.S. mileage of natural gas transmission pipelines, owned and operated by an
onshore natural gas transmission pipeline owner or operator. For natural gas distribution, a "facility" is a local distribution
company as regulated by a single state public utility commission.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Reported Emissions by Greenhouse Gas
Figure 2 presents reported emissions in 2021 by industry segment and greenhouse gas. For
all segments combined, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions accounted for 241 MMT CChe of
reported emissions and methane (CH4) emissions accounted for 71 MMT CChe of reported
emissions. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions accounted for 0.2 MMT CChe of reported
emissions.
Figure 2: 2021 Reported Emissions by Greenhouse Gas
Onshore Production -
Offshore Production -
Gathering and Boosting ¦
Natural Gas Processing -
Natural Gas Transmission _
Compression"
Natural Gas Transmission.
Pipeline"
Underground Natural Gas.
Storage
LNG Import'Export-
LNG Storage -
Natural Gas Distribution -
Other Oil and Gas _
Combustion
0 25 50 75
Reported Emissions, MMT CC>2e
Note; Segment totals may not equal sum of individual GHGs due to independent rounding.
Reported Combustion and Process Emissions
Each segment of Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems includes a combination of emission
sources. Emissions may result from the combustion of fossil fuels (combustion emissions)
or from process sources that result in the direct emission of GHGs (process emissions).
Process emissions can include vented emissions, equipment leaks, and flaring. Reported
combustion emissions in Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems totaled 196 MMT CChe and
reported process emissions totaled 117 MMT CChe. Figures 3 and 4 present reported
combustion and process emissions in 2021 by industry segment and emission source,
respectively.
56
34
72
" ¦
57
29 3
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 3: 2021 Reported Combustion and Process Emissions
^ L
Onshore Production -
Offshore Production -
Gathering and Boosting -
Natural Gas Processing ¦
Natural Gas Transmission.
Compression"
Natural Gas Transmission _
Pipeline"
Underground Natural Gas _
Storage"
LNG Import/Export -
LNG Storage -
Natural Gas Distribution -
Other Oil and Gas _
Combustion
Process Emissions
Combustion Emissions
50
75
Reported Emissions, MMT CC>2e
Note: Segment totals may not equal sum of process and combustion emissions due to
independent rounding.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 4: 2021 Reported Process Emission Sources
0 5 10 15 20 25
Reported Emissions, MMT C02e
Reported GHG Emissions by Industry Segment and Source
The following section provides information on reported GHG emissions organized by
industry segment. For each segment, the top reported emission sources are presented.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Onshore Production
The EPA received annual reports from 470 facilities in the onshore production segment
and reported emissions totaled 89.8 MMT CChe. Methane emissions totaled 33.7 MMT CChe
and carbon dioxide emissions totaled 56.0 MMT CChe. Combustion Equipment (36.6 MMT
CChe) and Pneumatic Devices (21.1 MMT CChe) were the top reported emission sources,
followed by Associated Gas Venting and Flaring (9.7 MMT CChe), Atmospheric Storage
Tanks (6.6 MMT CChe), Misc. Equipment Leaks (5.3 MMT CChe), and Other Flare Stacks (5.1
MMT CChe). Onshore production emissions by greenhouse gas from the top reported
emission sources are presented in Figure 5 for 2021.
Figure 5: 2021 Onshore Production: Top Reported Emission Sources
Combustion Equipment-
Pneumatic Devices -
Associated Gas Venting and Flaring -
Atmospheric Storage Tanks -
Misc. Equipment Leaks ¦
Other Flare Stacks -
10
20
30
Reported Emissions, MMT CC>2e
Note; Segment totals may not equal sum of individual GHGs due to independent rounding.
Figure 6 shows 2021 onshore production reported emissions by basin.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 6: 2021 Onshore Production Reported Emissions (CChe) by Basin
Basin refers to the geological provinces as published by the American Association of
Petroleum Geologists (AAPG).
Starting with data reported for 2016, onshore production facilities reported well
identification numbers and certain emission source types associated with wells. A well
identification number is either the US Well Number (formerly referred to as the API Well
Number, or API Number), or the unique well number assigned by its permitting authority if
the well does not have a US Well Number.7 Figure 7 shows 2021 well count by county for
onshore production facilities.
7 Professional Petroleum Data Management Association. The US Well Number Standard: An Identifier for Petroleum Industry
Wells ill the USA. Version 2013 rev 1, published June 19, 2014. Available at https://dl.ppdm.org/dl/1209.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 7: 2021 Onshore Production Reported Well Count by County
Offshore Production
The EPA received annual reports from 132 facilities in the offshore production segment
that totaled 6.4 MMT CChe. For offshore production, facilities calculate process emissions
using requirements that were established by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM). In addition, the GHGRP collects data on combustion emissions. While the full list of
process emission sources is extensive, it can generally be categorized into vented
emissions, flaring, and equipment leaks. The top reported source of emissions for offshore
production was from Combustion Equipment (4.8 MMT CChe), followed by Venting (0.8
MMT CChe). See Figure 8 below for offshore production emissions for the top reported
sources.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 8: 2021 Offshore Production: Top Reported Emission Sources
Combustion Equipment
Equipment Leaks
Venting
Flaring
r
0
2
3
4
Reported Emissions, MMT C02e
Note: Segment totals may not equal sum of individual GHGs due to independent rounding.
Gathering and Boosting
The gathering and boosting segment was first reported in 2016. In 2021, the EPA received
annual reports from 365 facilities in the gathering and boosting segment and reported
emissions totaled 86.4 MMT CChe. Methane emissions totaled 14.9 MMT CChe and carbon
dioxide emissions totaled 71.5 MMT CChe. Combustion Equipment (64.2 MMT CChe) was
the top reported emission source, followed by Misc. Equipment Leaks (5.0 MMT CChe),
Pneumatic Devices (4.4 MMT CChe), and Atmospheric Storage Tanks (3.0 MMT CChe). See
Figure 9 below for gathering and boosting emissions by greenhouse gas for the top
reported emission sources in 2021.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 9: 2021 Gathering and Boosting: Top Reported Emission Sources
Combustion Equipment-
Misc. Equipment Leaks -
Pneumatic Devices -
Atmospheric Storage Tanks -
Other Flare Stacks -
Dehydrators-
Acid Gas Removal Units -
Blowdown Vent Stacks -
Centrifugal Compressors ¦
Pneumatic Pumps -
Reciprocating Compressors -
20
40
Reported Emissions, MMT C02e
Note; Segment totals may not equal sum of individual GHGs due to independent rounding.
Figure 10 shows 2021 gathering and boosting reported emissions by basin.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 10: 2021 Gathering and Boosting Reported Emissions (CChe) by Basin
Natural Gas Processing
The EPA received annual reports from 452 facilities in the natural gas processing segment,
and reported emissions totaled 59.4 MMT CChe. Methane emissions totaled 2.8 MMT CChe
and carbon dioxide emissions totaled 56.6 MMT CChe. As presented in Figure 11, the top
reported emission sources were Combustion Equipment (38.9 MMT CChe), Acid Gas
Removal Units (12.6 MMT CChe), and Other Flare Stacks (5.3 MMT CChe).
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 11: 2021 Natural Gas Processing: Top Reported Emission Sources
I i i i
Combustion Equipment-
Acid Gas Removal Units -
Other Flare Stacks -
Reciprocating Compressors -
Blowdown Vent Stacks -
Dehydrators -
Centrifugal Compressors -
Misc. Equipment Leaks -
10 20 30
Reported Emissions, MMT C02e
Note; Segment totals may not equal sum of individual GHGs due to independent rounding.
Natural Gas Transmission Compression
The EPA received annual reports from 648 facilities in the natural gas transmission
compression segment, and reported emissions totaled 32.6 MMT CChe. Methane emissions
totaled 3.3 MMT CChe and carbon dioxide emissions totaled 29.4 MMT CO2. Combustion
emissions (29.4 MMT CChe) were larger than process emissions. Aside from combustion
equipment, the top reported emission sources were Blowdown Vent Stacks (1.1 MMT
CChe) and Reciprocating Compressors (1.0 MMT CChe). See Figure 12 for natural gas
transmission compression emissions by greenhouse gas for the top reported emission
sources in 2021.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 12: 2021 Natural Gas Transmission Compression: Top Reported Emission
Sources
Combustion Equipment-
Biowdown Vent Stacks -
Reciprocating Compressors -
Centrifugal Compressors -
Pneumatic Devices -
Misc. Equipment Leaks -
Transmission Tanks -
Other Flare Stacks -
0 10 20
Reported Emissions, MMT C02e
Note; Segment totals may not equal sum of individual GHGs due to independent rounding.
Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline
GHG emissions from the natural gas transmission pipeline segment were first reported in
2016. The segment contains one reported emission source, biowdown vent stacks. In 2021,
the EPA received annual reports from 50 facilities in the natural gas transmission pipeline
segment and reported emissions totaled 2.6 MMT CChe. Methane emissions totaled 2.6
MMT CChe and carbon dioxide emissions totaled 0.003 MMT CO2.
Underground Natural Gas Storage
The EPA received annual reports from 49 facilities in the underground natural gas storage
segment and reported emissions totaled 1.2 MMT CChe. Methane emissions totaled 0.3
MMT CChe and carbon dioxide emissions totaled 0.8 MMT CChe. As presented in Figure 13,
Combustion Equipment (0.8 MMT CChe) was the top reported source of emissions for
underground natural gas storage, followed by Reciprocating Compressors (0.2 MMT CChe).
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COj
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Chi,
im2o
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 13: 2021 Underground Natural Gas Storage: Top Reported Emission Sources
Combustion Equipment-
Reciprocating Compressors -
Misc. Equipment Leaks -
Pneumatic Devices -
Other Flare Stacks -
Centrifugal Compressors -
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
Reported Emissions, MMT C02e
Note; Segment totals may not equal sum of individual GHGs due to independent rounding.
LNG Import/Export
The EPA received emission reports from 11 LNG import/export terminals and reported
emissions totaled 14.2 MMT CChe. Methane emissions totaled 0.07 MMT CChe and carbon
dioxide emissions totaled 14.1 MMT CChe. The top reported source of emissions was
Combustion Equipment (13.3 MMT CChe).
LNG Storage
The EPA received emission reports from five LNG storage facilities. Total reported
emissions from LNG storage were approximately 5,723 metric tons CChe.
Natural Gas Distribution
The EPA received annual reports from 165 facilities in the natural gas distribution
segment, and reported emissions totaled 12.1 MMT CChe. Methane emissions totaled 11.9
MMT CChe and carbon dioxide emissions totaled 0.2 MMT CChe. Figure 14 presents natural
gas distribution emissions by source.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 14: 2021 Natural Gas Distribution: Top Reported Emission Sources
Distribution Mains -
Distribution Services -
Distribution M-R Stations -
Combustion Equipment -
2 4 6
Reported Emissions, MMT C02e
Figure 15 shows reported emissions (CChe) and facility locations for natural gas
processing natural gas transmission compression, underground natural gas storage, LNG
storage, and LNG import/export facilities.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Figure 15: 2021 Facility Locations and Reported Emissions by Industry Sectors
(C02e)
• •.
• I
*¦%' ? jrr . -- •• •.***-#••••
*\V .i&r-v'
Wir„ • - Si
>*' -
•%
Industry Segment
LNG Import/Export
• LNG Storage
• Natural Gas Processing
• Natural Gas Transmission Compression
Underground Natural Gas Storage
Total Reported Emissions, metric tons C02e
0-50,000
50,000-100,000
100,000-500,000
500,000 - 1,000,000
1,000,000-3,000,000
>3,000,000
Changes from 2011 to 2021
The following section describes the reported data for the 2011 through 2021 reporting
years for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems.8
Changes in Number of Facilities
Annual reported facility counts from 2011 to 2021 are shown in Table 2.9 It should also be
noted that emissions can be variable in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems sector and
e The EPA received resubmissions of previously reported data from certain facilities and this section describes the 2011-2021
time series updated to include the resubmitted data.
9 For gathering and boosting, a "facility" means all gathering pipelines and other equipment located along those pipelines that are
under common ownership or common control by a gathering and boosting system owner or operator and that are located in a
single hydrocarbon basin. Gathering and boosting includes certain stationary and portable fuel combustion equipment emissions
that may have been published for Reporting Years 2011-2015 as Other Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems and reported using a
facility definition referring to all co-located emission sources that are commonly owned or operated.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
it is not unexpected that emissions for a facility may exceed 25,000 metric tons CChe in a
given year. Once the reporting threshold is triggered, facilities must report to the GHGRP
until emissions are below the threshold for a period of time specified in the regulations, or
until all emission sources at a facility cease operation. As a result, the number of facilities
reporting to the GHGRP may vary from year-to-year.
Changes ions
Annual reported emissions values from 2011 to 2021 by industry segment are shown in
Table 3. Emission changes are the result of a number of factors, such as changes in the
number of facilities, operational changes (e.g., increased flaring), calculation changes (e.g.,
reduced BAMM use), and changes in the reporting landscape, including the addition of
industry segments and emission sources (e.g., oil well completions and workovers with
hydraulic fracturing) in 2016. Total reported emissions decreased 0.7 percent between
2020 and 2021 while the number of facilities decreased 0.5 percent.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Table 2: Number of Facilities by Industry Segment: 2011 to 2021
Industry Segment1 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Onshore Production2
459
507
509
570
538
518
505
511
494
477
470
Offshore Production
101
108
109
129
133
137
142
145
141
134
132
Gathering and Boosting3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
307
331
343
363
362
365
Natural Gas Processing
374
403
438
480
467
449
452
455
460
464
452
Natural Gas Transmission
421
458
487
522
522
529
534
576
624
640
648
Compression
Natural Gas Transmission
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
28
34
41
46
49
50
Pipeline3
Underground Natural Gas Storage
49
52
51
54
53
53
48
49
50
52
49
LNG Import/Export
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
9
11
11
11
LNG Storage
6
5
5
5
7
5
6
5
5
5
5
Natural Gas Distribution
183
183
176
181
177
171
170
163
164
165
165
Other Oil and Gas Combustion4
338
388
419
489
542
70
59
64
55
56
56
Total
1,921
2,096
2,187
2,419
2,422
2,251
2,261
2,332
2,389
2,390
2,37<
Notes:
1. Total number of facilities is smaller than the sum of facilities from each segment because some facilities reported under
multiple segments.
2. Beginning in Reporting Year 2016, Onshore Production facilities began reporting emissions from oil well completions and
workovers with hydraulic fracturing.
3. This industry segment began reporting data for the first time in Reporting Year 2016.
4. Beginning in Reporting Year 2016, facilities that met the definition of Gathering and Boosting reported emissions for
applicable sources. This includes certain stationary and portable fuel combustion equipment emissions that may have been
published for Reporting Years 2011-2015 as Other Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Table 3: Reported Emissions by Industry Segment: 2011 to 2021 (in MMT Cfhe)
Industry Segment
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Onshore Production1
92
93
98
102
102
87
96
111
124
95
90
Offshore Production
6
7
6
7
7
7
7
8
7
7
6
Gathering and Boosting2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
76
76
81
88
86
86
Natural Gas Processing
59
60
59
60
59
56
56
57
61
59
59
Natural Gas Transmission Compression
24
24
23
22
23
23
24
28
31
30
33
Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
3
3
3
3
3
Underground Natural Gas Storage
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
LNG Import/Export
1
1
<1
1
1
3
4
7
10
12
14
LNG Storage
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
<1
Natural Gas Distribution
16
15
15
15
15
14
13
13
13
12
12
Other Oil and Gas Combustion3
23
25
24
27
29
6
7
9
8
8
7
Total
222
226
228
236
236
277
288
317
347
314
312
Notes:
1. Beginning in Reporting Year 2016, Onshore Production facilities began reporting emissions from oil well completions and
workovers with hydraulic fracturing.
2. This industry segment began reporting data for the first time in Reporting Year 2016.
3. Beginning in Reporting Year 2016, facilities that met the definition of Gathering and Boosting reported emissions for
applicable sources. This includes certain stationary and portable fuel combustion equipment emissions that may have been
published for Reporting Years 2011-2015 as Other Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems.
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2011-2021 GHGRP Sector Profile
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Additional Information
Access GHGRP data: https://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/ghg-reporting-program-data-sets
Access additional information about Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems in the GHGRP,
including reporting requirements and calculation methods:
https://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/subpart-w-petroleum-and-natural-gas-systems
Access the GHGRP Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems Data Highlights Page:
https://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/ghgrp-petroleum-and-natural-gas-systems
Access Facility Level Information on Greenhouse Gases Tool (FLIGHT):
https://ghgdata.epa.gov/
Glossary
IPCC AR4 refers to the Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working
Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
[Core Writing Team, Pachauri, R.K. and Reisinger, A. (eds)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 2007.
The AR4 values also can be found in the current version of Table A-l in subpart A of 40 CFR
part 98.
IPCC AR5 refers to the Fifth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change. Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to
the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Stocker, T.F.,
D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M.
Midgley (eds)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY,
USA.
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