Turning Emissions into Significant Profits

Losses from natural gas and oil production activities are emission sources that can be controlled, and done so profitably in many cases.

The EPA Natural Gas STAR Program has been working with operators to identify and promote the implementation of cost-effective technologies and practices to specifically reduce methane emissions. Since the Program began in 1993, Natural Gas STAR partners voluntarily have eliminated 338 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of methane emissions through the implementation of these practices saving over a $1 billion dollars by keeping more gas in their systems for sale in the market.

The TCEQ will discuss the regulatory requirement on other emission component attributable to natural gas and oil production activities focusing primarily on production facilities, storage tanks and well locations.

Over 26.6 Billion cubic feet (Bcf) of methane gas is vented to the atmosphere annually from oilfield stock tanks – along with a significant volume of regulatory controlled emissions.  This high BTU gas can often be sold for a premium to typical pipeline gas, and the payback economics for capturing this gas stream can be compelling.  Hy-Bon Engineering, a well-recognized provider in the arena of vapor recovery and field compression, will address (1) methods to easily quantify volumes of vented gas streams, and tools available to quickly determine payback economics; (2) technological options for vapor recovery and the optimum application ranges for each; and (3) industry field case studies highlighting implementation of the technology from project assessment to financial return.