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Methane Mitigation Solutions Methane Mitigation Solutions
By Gregg Dougan, Senior Director of Sustainability & Emerging Industries
& Aida Bukvic, Sustainability/Natural Gas Industry Manager

Methane emissions from the U.S. petroleum and natural gas industries are the largest source of domestic methane emissions—accounting for 30% of U.S. methane emissions and 3% of U.S. annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response to this and with the new final rule, the EPA can impose a fee on petroleum and natural gas facilities for producing methane emissions. 

This new rule* affects petroleum and natural gas facilities that generate greater than 25,000 metric tons per year of total CO2 equivalent GHGs. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in Methane Emissions Charges administered by the EPA.

Potential Waste Emissions Charges

For onshore and offshore petroleum and natural gas production, storage, processing, and pipeline transmission, the EPA will administer Waste Emissions Charges of  $900 in 2024, $1200 in 2025, and $1500 in 2026 and thereafter for every metric ton of methane over the respective process’s emission threshold.
Legacy Pneumatic Device Emissions
Methane emissions from pneumatic devices have been one of the largest sources of vented methane emissions in the oil and gas industry. The EPA estimates that 47 percent of the total nationwide emissions from pneumatic controllers occur from sites with less than four controllers. Fisher™ and other manufacturers’ legacy pneumatic devices powered by methane are a significant source of facility emissions. Continuing to use them could result in hefty fees. 
 
The following table shows different steady-state bleed rates of legacy Fisher devices, along with estimated methane emissions and the potential financial impact of the Waste Emissions Charge.
Super Emitter Events
The final rule establishes a Super Emitter Response Program, whereby an owner or operator must determine the cause of a super emitter event upon receiving certified notification (from regulatory authorities or qualified third parties) of facility emissions greater than 100 kg/hour. The events, along with any corrective actions, will be available on a public website. Left unidentified and unchecked, super emitter events can contribute significantly to excessive emissions.

Our Solutions

With available zero emissions technologies from Emerson, it will be easier to comply with the EPA’s new emissions standards. Additionally, a facility can mitigate the risk of a super emitter event and subsequent notification with Emerson’s wireless monitoring solutions.
Zero Emissions Technologies
Emissions Monitoring Technologies
With the EPA’s new final rule and tighter greenhouse gas emission guidelines, it is becoming increasingly important to control facility methane emissions. Using new technologies that prevent legacy pneumatic device emissions and super emitter events, Experitec can help you identify and manage your facility’s emissions.

*40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOb (NSPS for New Source Performance Standards) and 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOc (EG Emission Guidelines for existing sources).
 

1Fisher published data for natural gas bleed rates found by dividing compressed air bleed rates by √0.6.
A density of 0.0192 kg/scf at STP was used to convert scf of CH4 to MT (1000kg) of CH4.
2Natural gas costs calculated using December 2023 Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price of $2.38/mmBTU
3The Waste Emissions Charge for 2024 is $900/(MT CH4)
4The Waste Emissions Charge for 2026 is $1500/(MT CH4)