In the oil and gas industry, a new technology called methane recapture – also known as “methane recompression” or “methane cross compression” – is replacing traditional methods of pipeline venting and flaring. This clean energy tech is safe, saves money, meets current regulatory standards and helps operators make significant contributions to environmental stewardship.

Simply described, a mobile methane recapture unit compresses gas and moves it into a holding chamber while pipelines are cleaned, maintained, repaired or replaced and then uncompresses the gas to return it to the main pipeline. Use of this technology saves 99% of what would have been released into the atmosphere through flaring and blowdowns and returns it to the pipeline to be used for energy.

• To meet the new commitments set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at COP28 to eradicate 58 million tons of methane emissions by 2038.
• When repairs, replacements, pigging, stoppling, hot tapping or purging, operators can retain – and sell to its customers – 99% of the gas that would have otherwise been blown or flared off.
• Transforms outdated oil and gas industry practices with easy-to-use technology.
• Streamlines deployment with reduced downtime, noise and the odor associated with venting and flaring.
• Saves operational costs that would have otherwise been spent on call outs and community notifications.
• Continued industry adoption of this technology stands to significantly decrease the current 33% methane emission contribution that comes from fossil fuel production, distribution and combustion.
• Of all current sources of methane emissions – which include livestock farming (27%), landfills and waste (16%), biomass burning (11%), rice agriculture (9%) and biofuels (4%) – use of this technology can help the oil and gas industry become one of the most significant contributors to environmental stewardship.
• Helps to slow global warming. Methane is responsible for more than 25% of the rising climate temperature and has about 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after entering the atmosphere.
• As of 2022, only 13% of the total energy supply is powered by renewables. The industry needs to ensure that our nation’s infrastructure stands robust and steadfast as we journey toward a greener future.