Southwestern Energy Company
2013 Natural Gas STAR Summary Report
Southwestern Energy's Historical Reductions¹
The Natural Gas STAR Program and its partners have
realized nearly 1,212 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of domestic
methane emissions reductions.
14,000,000
The Natural Gas STAR Program endeavors to assist partners in achieving the full benefits of participation by raising
awareness about activities that other partners have undertaken to achieve cost-effective methane emissions reductions.
12,000,000
Report Summary
Gas STAR Program Reported Activities: Production Sector
Production Sector
10,000,000
Technologies and practices employed in the Production Sector
over the past 10 years.
8,000,000
Mcf
Joined Natural Gas STAR - Production Sector: 2005
2013 Methane Emissions Reductions: 1,777,287 Mcf
Since joining the Natural Gas STAR Production Sector in
2005, Southwestern Energy has achieved cumulative
methane emissions reductions of 38,799,730 Mcf.
Top Activities for 2013
Technologies and practices employed in the Production Sector
in 2013.
6,000,000
4,000,000
2,000,000
19
9
19 0
9
19 1
9
19 2
9
19 3
9
19 4
9
19 5
9
19 6
9
19 7
9
19 8
9
20 9
0
20 0
0
20 1
0
20 2
0
20 3
0
20 4
0
20 5
0
20 6
0
20 7
0
20 8
0
20 9
1
20 0
1
20 1
1
20 2
1
20 3
14
0
New
2
2013 Reductions: 1,777,287 Mcf
On-Going
Cumulative Reductions: 38,799,730 Mcf
To achieve these results, Southwestern
Energy has employed these Natural Gas
STAR methane emission reduction
technologies and practices.
Artificial lift: install plunger lifts
31.0%
Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrator 26.0%
Install no bleed controllers
9.6%
Install/convert pump to electric/mechanical/solar
9.5%
Install smart lift automated systems on gas wells
8.7%
Other
15.1%
Total:
100.0%
Perform reduced emissions completions
82.1%
Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrator
5.1%
Artificial lift: install plunger lifts
4.4%
Redesign blowdown/alter ESD practices
2.1%
Install no bleed controllers
2.0%
Other
4.3%
Total:
100.0%
Perform reduced emissions completions
41.3%
Artificial lift: install plunger lifts
14.4%
Identify and replace high-bleed pneumatic devices
6.7%
Install vapor recovery units (VRUs)
6.2%
Install smart lift automated systems on gas wells
5.8%
Install/convert pump to electric/mechanical/solar
2.6%
Convert to instrument air systems
2.5%
Artificial lift: gas lift
2.4%
Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrator
2.3%
Use foaming agents to reduce blowdown frequency 1.7%
Other
14.1%
Total:
100.0%
Artificial lift: install plunger lifts
26.0%
Install smart lift automated systems on gas wells
19.9%
Install vapor recovery units (VRUs)
12.5%
Identify and replace high-bleed pneumatic devices
5.5%
Install/convert pump to electric/mechanical/solar
5.3%
Install flares
5.2%
Artificial lift: gas lift
4.1%
Install no bleed controllers
4.1%
Convert to instrument air systems
2.8%
Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrator
2.4%
Other
12.3%
Total:
100.0%
Suggested Methane Emission Reduction Technologies and Practices
Based on commonly reported technologies and practices employed by Production Sector partners, below
is a list of other activities Southwestern Energy might consider.*
Southwestern Energy's methane emissions reductions are approximately equivalent to:
Tonnes CO2 equivalent:
18,600,164 (cumulative)
852,012 (2013)
CO2 emissions from the electricity use
of this many homes for one year:
•
Convert to instrument air systems
2,558,493 (cumulative)
117,196 (2013)
Carbon sequestered annually by this
many acres of pine or fir forests:
Value of methane saved (at $4 per Mcf):
15,246,044 (cumulative)
$7,109,148 (2013)
698,371 (2013)
¹Partners may retroactively report methane emissions reductions to EPA back to 1990.
2
Annual methane emissions reductions include new reductions plus on-going reductions.
$155,198,920 (cumulative)
Additional information on these technologies and practices is available on the Natural Gas STAR
website at epa.gov/gasstar/tools/recommended.html.
* In evaluating technologies and practices to report to the Natural Gas STAR Program, please note that companies may report
voluntary activities only. By definition, voluntary activities are those implemented above and beyond what is required by regulation.