As the climate change discussion continues, capturing methane remains the focal point of not just the federal government, but also oil and gas producing states. In January, President Biden issued an Executive Order calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen standards for methane and VOC emissions. The Agency is in the midst of writing a new rule that will affect not only new sources but also legacy production sites. States including New Mexico, Colorado, and Pennsylvania have already mandated reductions in emissions and banned venting and flaring in non-emergency situations.
When the EPA revised the New Source Performance Standards, Subpart OOOO in 2012, Agency findings revealed that using a vapor recovery unit (VRU) could achieve 95 percent or higher VOC emission reduction efficiency. Research since then supports that vapor recovery devices can achieve this high capture rate for not only VOCs but also methane. The current EPA proposed rule recommends the use of vapor recovery technology to capture both VOCs and methane.
Recently, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted emissions will peak before 2025 and called on the global community to make necessary reductions including the limitation of fossil fuel usage. What the experts don’t always acknowledge is the technology to capture fossil fuel emissions is available, and the basic process has been in use for years. It is, however, becoming more commonly used as operators realize the captured vapors are valuable in today’s market.
During the past decade, Flogistix has utilized data-driven technology to help oil and gas producers capture emissions to reduce environmental impact while increasing revenues. As the leading provider of vapor recovery units, Flogistix designs, builds, and maintains VRUs all across the nation. Using advanced compressor technology, Flogistix equipment puts an end to the need to vent or flare because the emissions that would have been burned or released are combusted in the compressor engine to generate power. Our equipment maintains an industry-leading 98% runtime preventing the release of emissions due to inoperable equipment and often exceeding regulatory requirements. With service locations across the country, our company offers preventive and emergency maintenance to ensure equipment is working properly.
Oil and gas producers must embrace the push to capture methane and adjust their operations in order to stay in business. With current prices for energy at record-high levels, producers who continue to flare and vent are not only in violation of current regulations but are also essentially burning money. Utilizing a VRU not only protects the environment but increases revenue.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2019, 80% of domestic energy production was from fossil fuels. As the need for fossil fuels increases, companies are looking for solutions. Partnering with Flogistix allows producers to meet demand while protecting the environment and complying with applicable regulations. Let our team of petroleum engineers, technology experts, and other specialized oil and gas professionals provide vapor recovery and other atmospheric solutions for your emissions needs.
