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Recommended Technologies and Practices
Quick Finder
Natural Gas STAR partners share information on cost-effective methane emission reduction technologies and practices via submission of annual progress reports detailing their emissions reduction activities. To promote technology transfer and share industry best practices, the Natural Gas STAR Program provides information on cost-effective methane emission reduction opportunities through a variety of documents including Lessons Learned Studies, Partner Reported Opportunities (PRO) Fact Sheets, Technical Presentations, and Partner Update articles (to learn more, see descriptions of Natural Gas STAR technical resources below). Lessons Learned Studies and PRO Fact Sheets are also available in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish translations.
Please note that EPA does not advocate any particular vendor's equipment or technology. The intent of the information presented below is to provide partner companies and others in industry with information for evaluating the applicability of these technologies and practices to their operations.
Compressors/Engines | Dehydrators | Directed Inspection and Maintenance | Pipelines | Pneumatics/Controls | Tanks | Valves | Wells | Other
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Each technical document on this page shows economic payback values at a natural gas price of $3, $5, and $7. However, the table on this page is arranged by economic payback based on a natural gas value of $5/Mcf. This is considered a conservative natural gas value and some individual documents may reflect calculations assuming higher natural gas values. Actual payback may vary depending on individual partner operating circumstances.
Compressors/Engines
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Wet Seal Degassing Recovery System for Centrifugal Compressors PRO Fact Sheet (PDF) (6 pp, 410K) |
$33,000 (one compressor) $90,000 (four compressors) |
X | X | X | X |
| Replace Gas Starters with Air or Nitrogen PRO Fact Sheet #101 (PDF) (2 pp, 71K) |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | |
| Reduce Natural Gas Venting with Fewer Compressor Engine Startups and Improved Engine Ignition PRO Fact Sheet #102 (PDF) (3 pp, 75K) |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Reducing Methane Emissions from Compressor Rod Packing Systems Lessons Learned (PDF) (8 pp, 271K) Presentation (PDF) (15 pp, 875K) June 2006 |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | |
| Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves PRO Fact Sheet #602 (PDF) (3 pp, 107K) |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Reducing Emissions When Taking Compressors Off-Line Lessons Learned (PDF) (11 pp, 248K) Presentation (PPT) (19 pp., 590K, About PPT  )September 2004 |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or Systems PRO Fact Sheet #504 (PDF) (2 pp, 65K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Install Automated Air/Fuel Ratio Controls PRO Fact Sheet #104 (PDF) (3 pp, 75K) |
> $50,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Estimated Payback: 1-3 years | |||||
| Install Electric Motor Starters PRO Fact Sheet #105 (PDF) (2 pp, 73K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Inject Blowdown Gas into Low Pressure Mains or Fuel Gas System PRO Fact Sheet #401 (PDF) (2 pp, 62K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
| Replace Compressor Cylinder Unloaders PRO Fact Sheet #106 (2 pp, 62K) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | X | |
| Install Electric Compressors PRO Fact Sheet #103 (PDF) (2 pp, 65K) |
> $50,000 | X | X | X | |
| Replacing Wet Seals with Dry Seals in Centrifugal Compressors Lessons Learned (PDF) (8 pp, 289K) |
> $50,000 | X | X | ||
Dehydrators
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Reroute Glycol Skimmer Gas PRO Fact Sheet #201 (PDF) (2 pp, 66K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Pipe Glycol Dehydrator to Vapor Recovery Unit PRO Fact Sheet #203 (PDF) (2 pp, 68K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Replace Glycol Dehydration Units with Methanol Injection PRO Fact Sheet #205 (PDF) (2 pp, 66K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Portable Desiccant Dehydrators PRO Fact Sheet #207 (PDF) (2 pp, 71K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | |||
| Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or Systems PRO Fact Sheet #504 (PDF) (2 pp, 65K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Zero Emissions Dehydrators PRO Fact Sheet #206 (PDF) (4 pp, 224K) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Optimize Glycol Circulation and Install Flash Tank Separators in Glycol Dehydrators Lessons Learned (PDF) (10 pp, 200K) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | ||
| Estimated Payback: 1-3 years | |||||
| Convert Natural Gas-Driven Chemical Pumps PRO Fact Sheet #202 (PDF) (3 pp, 130K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Convert Pneumatics to Mechanical Controls PRO Fact Sheet #301 (PDF) (3 pp, 204K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Replacing Gas-Assisted Glycol Pumps with Electric Pumps Lessons Learned (PDF) (17 pp., 197K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
| Replacing Glycol Dehydrators with Desiccant Dehydrators Lessons Learned (PDF) (14 pp, 471K) Presentation (PPT) (21 pp, 1.7MB) June 2004 |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | ||
Directed Inspection and Maintenance
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Conduct Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Remote Sites PRO Fact Sheet #901 (PDF) (2 pp, 63K) Presentation (33 pp, 4.1MB) October 2011 |
< $1,000 | X | X | ||
| Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves PRO Fact Sheet #602 (PDF) (3 pp, 107K) |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Gate Stations and Surface Facilities Lessons Learned (PDF) (12 pp, 348K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
| Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Compressor Stations Lessons Learned (PDF) (11 pp, 224K) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | ||
| Estimated Payback: 1-3 years | |||||
| Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Gas Processing Plants and Booster Stations Lessons Learned (PDF) (12 pp, 230K) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | |||
Pipelines
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves PRO Fact Sheet #602 (PDF) (3 pp, 107K) |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Insert Gas Main Flexible Liners PRO Fact Sheet #402 (PDF) (2 pp, 63K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | |||
| Composite Wrap for Non-Leaking Pipeline Defects Lessons Learned (PDF) (11 pp, 203K) Presentation (PPT) (18 pp, 809K) September 2004 |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
| Perform Valve Leak Repair During Pipeline Replacement PRO Fact Sheet #601 (PDF) (2 pp, 74K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
| Using Hot Taps for In Service Pipeline Connections Lessons Learned (PDF) (12 pp, 228K) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | ||
| Recover Gas from Pipeline Pigging Operations PRO Fact Sheet #505 (PDF) (2 pp, 61K) Presentation (PPT) (18 pp, 547K, About PPT) April 2005 |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | X | |
| Using Pipeline Pump-Down Techniques to Lower Gas Line Pressure Before Maintenance Lessons Learned (PDF) (9 pp, 291K) Partner Update Fall 2009 Presentation (PDF) (19 pp, 680K) October 2011 |
> $50,000 | X | X | X | |
| Estimated Payback: 1-3 years | |||||
| Use Inert Gases and Pigs to Perform Pipeline Purges PRO Fact Sheet #403 (PDF) (2 pp, 74K) |
$0 | X | X | X | |
| Convert Natural Gas-Driven Chemical Pumps PRO Fact Sheet #202 (PDF) (3 pp, 130K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Inject Blowdown Gas into Low Pressure Mains or Fuel Gas System PRO Fact Sheet #401 (PDF) (2 pp, 62K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
| Estimated Payback: 3-10 years | |||||
| Inspect Flowlines Annually PRO Fact Sheet #404 (PDF) (2 pp, 66K) |
< $1,000 | X | |||
Pneumatics/Controls
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Convert Gas Pneumatic Controls to Instrument Air Lessons Learned (PDF) (12 pp, 314K) |
> $50,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Estimated Payback: 1-3 years | |||||
| Options for Reducing Methane Emissions From Pneumatic Devices in the Natural Gas Industry Lessons Learned (PDF) (12 pp, 201K) Presentation (PDF) (20 pp, 384K) November 2011 |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Convert Pneumatics to Mechanical Controls PRO Fact Sheet #301 (PDF) (3 pp, 204K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Convert Natural Gas-Driven Chemical Pumps PRO Fact Sheet #202 (PDF) (3 pp, 130K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Replacing Gas-Assisted Glycol Pumps with Electric Pumps Lessons Learned (PDF) (17 pp., 197K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
Tanks
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Convert Water Tank Blanket from Natural Gas to Produced CO2 Gas PRO Fact Sheet #503 (PDF) (2 pp, 64K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | |||
| Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or Systems PRO Fact Sheet #504 (PDF) (2 pp, 65K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Recover Gas from Pipeline Pigging Operations PRO Fact Sheet #505 (PDF) (2 pp, 61K) Presentation (PPT) (18 pp, 547K, About PPT) April 2005 |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | X | |
| Estimated Payback: 1-3 years | |||||
| Recover Gas During Condensate Loading PRO Fact Sheet #502 (PDF) (2 pp, 73K) |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | |
| Install Pressurized Storage of Condensate PRO Fact Sheet #501 (PDF) (2 pp, 64K) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | X | |
| Installing Vapor Recovery Units on Storage Tanks Lessons Learned (PDF) (9 pp, 203K) Partner Update Spring 2010 Presentation (PDF) (15 pp, 1MB) November 2010 Presentation (PDF) (41 pp, 4.9MB) November 2011 |
> $50,000 | X | |||
Valves
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Install BASO® Valves PRO Fact Sheet #604 (PDF) (2 pp, 64K) |
< $1,000 | X | |||
| Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves PRO Fact Sheet #602 (PDF) (3 pp, 107K) |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Perform Valve Leak Repair During Pipeline Replacement PRO Fact Sheet #601 (PDF) (2 pp, 74K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
| Replace Burst Plates with Secondary Relief Valves PRO Fact Sheet #605 (PDF) (2 pp, 62K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Estimated Payback: 3-10 years | |||||
| Install Excess Flow Valves PRO Fact Sheet #603 (PDF) (2 pp, 75K) Partner Update (PDF) Winter 2005, Page 2 (9 pp, 625K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | |||
Wells
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Test and Repair Pressure Safety Valves PRO Fact Sheet #602 (PDF) (3 pp, 107K) |
< $1,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Connect Casing to Vapor Recovery Unit PRO Fact Sheet #701 (PDF) (2 pp, 61K) Partner Update Winter 2010 Presentation (PDF) (41 pp, 4.9MB) November 2011 |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | |||
| Installing Plunger Lift Systems in Gas Wells Lessons Learned (PDF) (14 pp, 298KB) Presentation (PDF) (18 pp, 211KB) October 2006 |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | |||
| Install Compressors to Capture Casinghead Gas PRO Fact Sheet #702 (PDF) (2 pp, 74KB) Partner Update Winter 2010 Presentation (PDF) (41 pp, 4.9MB) November 2011 |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | |||
| Reduced Emission Completions for Hydraulically Fractured Natural Gas Wells Lessons Learned (11 pp, 219KB) Presentation (PDF) (8 pp, 412KB) May 2008 Presentation (PDF) (12 pp, 214KB) November 2010 Presentation (PDF) (19 pp, 818KB) October 2011 |
> $50,000 | X | |||
| Estimated Payback: 1-3 years | |||||
| Convert Natural Gas-Driven Chemical Pumps PRO Fact Sheet #202 (PDF) (3 pp, 130K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | |
| Convert Pneumatics to Mechanical Controls PRO Fact Sheet #301 (PDF) (3 pp, 204K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Options for Removing Accumulated Fluid and Improving Flow in Gas Wells Lessons Learned (PDF) (18 pp, 1.3MB) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | |||
Other
| Document Title | Capital Costs | Production | Gathering and Processing | Transmission | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Payback: 0-1 year | |||||
| Reduce Frequency of Replacing Modules in Turbine Meters PRO Fact Sheet #906 (PDF) (2 pp, 60K) |
$0 | X | X | ||
| Redesign Blowdown Systems and Alter ESD Practices PRO Fact Sheet #908 (PDF) (3 pp, 81K) Partner Update (PDF) Summer 2004, Page 1 (9 pp, 660K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | |||
| Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or Systems PRO Fact Sheet #504 (PDF) (2 pp, 65K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Install Flares PRO Fact Sheet #904 (PDF) (2 pp, 62K) |
$10,000-$50,000 | X | X | ||
| Nitrogen Rejection Unit Optimization PRO Fact Sheet #905 (PDF) (3 pp, 89K) Presentation (PPT) (16 pp, 236K, About PPT) April 2005 |
> $50,000 | X | |||
| Estimated Payback: 1-3 years | |||||
| Increase Walking Survey from a 5- to 3- Year Basis PRO Fact Sheet #902 (PDF) (2 pp, 61K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | ||
| Install Electronic Flare Ignition Devices PRO Fact Sheet #903 (PDF) (2 pp, 69K) |
$1,000-$10,000 | X | X | X | X |
| Replace Bi-Directional Orifice Metering with Ultrasonic Meters PRO Fact Sheet #907 (PDF) (2 pp, 64K) |
> $50,000 | X | X | ||
Description of Natural Gas STAR Technical Resources
- Lessons Learned Studies—Lessons Learned Studies serve as comprehensive guides for implementing methane emission reduction technologies and practices, providing in-depth, detailed analyses and implementation emission reduction opportunities. The summaries describe techniques and practices, suggest step-by-step decision processes for implementing the practices, summarize cost and benefit information, and provide implementation tips and reference sources for more information. These documents are also available in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish translations.
- Partner Reported Opportunities (PRO) Fact Sheets—PRO Fact Sheets provide partners with more basic information for evaluating the economic and operational feasibility of implementing relevant technologies and practices in their operations. These fact sheets represent an initial effort to present information on available methane emission reduction opportunities for partners interested in evaluating additional options for reducing emissions and improving operational efficiency. These documents are also available in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish translations.
- Technical Presentations—The Natural Gas STAR Program hosts regional Technology Transfer Workshops for each sector of the natural gas industry. These workshops provide a forum for oil and natural gas companies to receive and share detailed information about current cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions in their specific sector. Technical presentations provide current information about the emission reducing technologies and practices covered at the Technology Transfer Workshops.
- Partner Update Articles—The Natural Gas STAR Partner Update is the Program’s quarterly newsletter that provides a wealth of information about the Natural Gas STAR Program, cutting edge emission reduction practices and technologies, partner accomplishments, and other related news. Partner Update articles address new technologies and practices, as well as how partners benefitted from project implementation.