Admin
January 28, 2025
Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, having roughly 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-yearperiod. As a primary component of natural gas, even small leaks during extraction, transportation, and distribution can significantly harm the environment. For natural gas utility operators, reducing methane emissions is not only a regulatory obligation but also a corporate responsibility. One effective solution for mitigating methane emissions is cross-compression, a technique that enables the recovery of methane from pipelines during maintenance, thereby reducing emissions and conserving resources.
Cross-compression is a methane recovery process that transfers methane from a pipeline section under maintenance to an adjacent, live section. Using compressors, operators can transfer gas that would otherwise be vented into the atmosphere back into the active pipeline system, keeping it flowing toward end-users. By eliminating the need for intentional venting or flaring, this approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions and conserves gas resources, resulting in environmental and financial benefits for utility operators.
While cross-compression requires upfront investment in equipment, training, services, and scheduling, the methane retention and associated cost savings over time offset these initial costs. Preventing the need to vent and flare methane reduces direct emissions, avoids regulatory fines, and supports sustainability initiatives. For example, mitigating one metric ton of methane reduces the warming effect equivalent to 25 metric tons of CO₂. This substantial impact makes cross-compression technology a valuable long-term investment for operators focused on cost efficiency and emissions reduction.
Natural gas operators may face some initial challenges when implementing cross-compression, such as:
Working with equipment distributors and technical consultants offering flexible financing and workforce training or third-party service providers, like EGW Utility Solutions, can help operators overcome these challenges and maximize the benefits of cross-compression technology.
The regulatory landscape for methane emissions is tightening, and cross-compression technology is critical for staying compliant, particularly with new standards outlined in the 2020 PIPES Act (Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act). Under Section 114,natural gas operators must follow updated guidelines that mandate reducing methane emissions during regular operations, maintenance, and emergency responses. Section 114 empowers regulators to request detailed information on pipeline operations to ensure operators follow approved emission mitigation procedures.
Compliance with Section 114 not only reduces potential fine sand penalties but also builds a framework for operational transparency. By adopting cross-compression, operators can effectively reduce emissions, support the objectives of the PIPES Act, and contribute to broader climate initiatives.
As cross-compression technology advances, future developments are likely to include:
Cross-compression offers natural gas utility operators a sustainable way to meet operational goals, regulatory obligations, and environmental objectives while building toward a future of reduced methane emissions.
The Greer Commission of Public Works (CPW) was charted in1913 following a citywide election approving its formation. In 1914, CPW began providing electric, wastewater, and water services to the city of Greer, South Carolina. Natural gas service started in 1957, and that utility is CPW's most extensive customer base. Today, they serve residents and businesses with their four utilities in Greer and nearby communities.
Greer CPW began natural gas operations with seven district regulators and one city gate. Today, they have two main gates, 110 distribution regulator stations, and more than 780 miles of natural gas pipeline delivering natural gas to more than 31,650 customers in the City of Greer and surrounding areas. Their mission is to provide safe, high-quality, and reliable electric, natural gas, wastewater, and water services in an environmentally and fiscally responsible manner consistent with sound business principles.
Rob Rhodes, Gas Operations Manager for Greer CPW, is what you might call an "outside the box" thinker. His forward outlook always has him reassessing industry norms and finding ways that he and his company can leave a lasting legacy for the next generation.
We asked Rob the following questions related to their recent commitment to continuously improving their environmental responsibility:
Why did you choose to use cross-compression?
“We chose to use cross-compression because we are committed to being fiscally responsible for our processes that can impact our environment. As a natural gas company operator, we are held to a higher standard of operating our systems efficiently and safely. Our customers and the public expect it, and we are committed to doing our part to be environmental stewards of our home, Earth.”
What have the benefits been?
“Anytime we can decrease our carbon footprint, we are making the air we breathe better. We look at how capturing natural gas through cross-compression versus venting it to the atmosphere compares to other real-world examples, such as removing cars from the roadways, miles not driven, pounds of coal not burned, tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled, acres of forest grown for one year, seedlings grown for 10 years, etc. These benefits are what our customers want and deserve.”
Was it challenging to get started using the services?
“It was not difficult to get started with this process. The bulk of what we use cross-compression is for transferring natural gas from an old gas pipeline into a newer one. Understanding the process and having the correct tooling are musts for success.”
What are some of the challenges?
“Our organization does not own any cross-compression equipment. Due to this, we attempt to schedule multiple jobs simultaneously, which can present logistical challenges.”
Now that you're utilizing the technology and services, do you foresee continuing to use it?
“We have seen the benefit of utilizing this type of technology and will continue to use it to help our environmental footprint and achieve cleaner air.”
Has there been any unexpected benefits that you didn't anticipate?
“We are currently tracking LAUF (Loss and Unaccounted For Gas) to identify any improvements to our annual reporting requirements. We have utilized social media to get the word out about our efforts and have received positive feedback from our customers and the public. We have found that they like and appreciate our efforts to keep them aware of the what, where, and why.”
Why did you choose EGW as your cross-compression partner?
“EGW employees are courteous and friendly and know exactly what quality customer service means. When you bring people in like EGW, it's all about having the confidence that the technicians can perform the work and perform it safely. I'm really proud of what they've been able to do, and I can't say enough good things about EGW. From their leadership team to their technicians, they're excellent at what they do.”
System: 8000 ft of 4.5 inch pipe | Drawn down from 57 System psig to 0 psig
To minimize environmental and social impact, EGW utilized ZEVAC® technology for depressurization of the pipelines. Instead of releasing the gas into the atmosphere, ZEVAC® equipment moves the gas out of the pipeline being depressurized into another section of the system. This way, EGW can perform a "blowdown" while minimizing the amount of methane gas blown into the atmosphere.
Savings: 2,072.6 scf Natural Gas (Methane) NOT VENTED
Environmental Impact: 1.2 Metric Tonnes CO2e SAVED
For natural gas utility operators, cross-compression is a game-changer for methane mitigation. By capturing methane during pipeline maintenance, operators can reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and meet regulatory requirements. As the natural gas industry seeks to balance economic performance with environmental responsibility, cross-compression provides a pathway to achieving both, aligning operational practices with regulatory demands and positioning operators as proactive environmental stewards in the energy sector.
Don’t wait to take control of methane emissions in your operations. If you have questions regarding cross-compression equipment or services, EGW Utility Solutions is here to help. Visit www.egwutilitysolutions.com or call (972) 446-1655 and take the first step to reaching your net zero emission goals.
