5900-106 International Implementation Plan

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

Company Information

Natural Gas STAR
International

Company Name:

______________________________________

Gas Star Contact:

______________________________________

Title:

______________________________________

Address:

______________________________________
______________________________________

City:

______________________________________

Country:

______________________________________

Telephone:

______________________________________

Fax:

______________________________________

E-mail:

______________________________________

This implementation plan pertains to the company’s operations in (please
specify country)* :
_________________________________________________________

Implementation
Plan

This implementation plan includes planned activities for the following
facilities or locations:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

The purpose of this Implementation Plan is to guide your company’s participation in Natural Gas STAR
International. Please evaluate the technologies and practices that your company is currently implementing as
well as additional technologies and practices that, if implemented, would be beneficial to your company.
The Implementation Plan is designed to be a dynamic tool for Natural Gas STAR International partners to plan their
Program activities. As company priorities and plans shift over time, the Implementation Plan may be revised or updated
by submitting a new form to the Program.

Implementation Plan Elements
ELEMENT 1 – Evaluate Past and Current Reductions
Partners are encouraged to review current and past activities that have resulted in methane emission reductions.
Reviewing these activities will help guide companies’ participation in Natural Gas STAR International by creating a
base of understanding of current activities to facilitate planning of future activities.
ELEMENT 2 - Emissions Reduction Technologies & Practices
Natural Gas STAR International partners reduce methane emissions throughout their operations by implementing a
wide variety of technologies and practices. New partners are encouraged to evaluate and report current and new
technologies or practices that cost effectively reduce methane emissions. A list of technologies and practices that have
been implemented by industry partners and reported to Natural Gas STAR is included in the appendix.
* Please submit a separate Implementation Plan for each country in which you plan to implement Natural Gas STAR
International.
EPA Form No. 5900-106

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

ELEMENT 1

Evaluate Past and Current Reductions
A review of past and current methane emission reduction activities will help guide your company’s
participation in Natural Gas STAR International by creating a base of understanding of current activities to
facilitate planning of future activities.
As a first step, many new partners find it useful to review and document past methane emissions reduction efforts.
The process helps companies quantify the success of their past activities and target future emission reduction
efforts.
Will you include past activities in your annual report?

Yes

No

If yes, please describe your company’s plans for reviewing past emission reduction activities.

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

ELEMENT 2

Emissions Reduction Technologies & Practices
Your company may implement a variety of technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions. Please complete
this form indicating which technologies and practices you are currently implementing and those you plan to implement
in the future. For your reference, the appendix includes a list of proposed methane emission reduction technologies
and practices and conversion factors.
Please fill out a separate page for each technology or practice your company plans to implement. (Please make
additional copies, if necessary)
Technology or practice your company is currently implementing or will be implementing
Name of Technology or Practice (choose from the list
in the appendix or describe your own):

Please provide a description of the technology or practice and
how you plan to implement it (including location or facility
where you plan to implement it):

At what scale will you be implementing this activity?

Level of Implementation (check one):
Number of units to be installed: _____units

Company Wide
Pilot Project
Other

Frequency of practice:

Additional Information on Anticipated Plans and Projects
If additional space is needed, please continue on the back.

_____times/year

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

ELEMENT 2

Emissions Reduction Technologies & Practices
Your company may implement a variety of technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions. Please complete
this form indicating which technologies and practices you are currently implementing and those you plan to implement
in the future. For your reference, the appendix includes a list of proposed methane emission reduction technologies
and practices and conversion factors.
Please fill out a separate page for each technology or practice your company plans to implement. (Please make
additional copies, if necessary)
Technology or practice your company is currently implementing or will be implementing
Name of Technology or Practice (choose from the list
in the appendix or describe your own):

Please provide a description of the technology or practice and
how you plan to implement it (including location or facility
where you plan to implement it):

At what scale will you be implementing this activity?

Level of Implementation (check one):
Number of units to be installed: _____units

Company Wide
Pilot Project
Other

Frequency of practice:

Additional Information on Anticipated Plans and Projects
If additional space is needed, please continue on the back.

_____times/year

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

ELEMENT 2

Emissions Reduction Technologies & Practices
Your company may implement a variety of technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions. Please complete
this form indicating which technologies and practices you are currently implementing and those you plan to implement
in the future. For your reference, the appendix includes a list of proposed methane emission reduction technologies
and practices and conversion factors.
Please fill out a separate page for each technology or practice your company plans to implement. (Please make
additional copies, if necessary)
Technology or practice your company is currently implementing or will be implementing
Name of Technology or Practice (choose from the list
in the appendix or describe your own):

Please provide a description of the technology or practice and
how you plan to implement it (including location or facility
where you plan to implement it):

At what scale will you be implementing this activity?

Level of Implementation (check one):
Number of units to be installed: _____units

Company Wide
Pilot Project
Other

Frequency of practice:

Additional Information on Anticipated Plans and Projects
If additional space is needed, please continue on the back.

_____times/year

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

Appendix A-1

Methane Emission Reduction Technologies & Practices- Production Sector
The list below describes a variety of methane emission reduction technologies and practices that Natural Gas STAR
partners in the production sector have implemented and reported to Natural Gas STAR. You may use this list as a guide
when completing your Implementation Plan. More information on each of these activities can be found at
epa.gov/gasstar/techprac.htm.
Dehydrators
ƒ Convert gas-driven chemical pumps to instrument air
ƒ Install condenser on glycol vent
ƒ Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrators
ƒ Install zero emissions dehydrators
ƒ Link dehydrator unit to incinerator
ƒ Pipe glycol dehydrator to vapor recovery unit
ƒ Replace gas-assisted glycol pumps with electric
pumps
ƒ Reduce/optimize glycol circulation rates in dehydrators
ƒ Replace glycol dehydration units with methanol
injection
ƒ Replace glycol dehydrators with desiccant dehydrators
ƒ Reroute glycol skimmer gas
ƒ Use portable desiccant dehydrators
Pipelines
ƒ Inspect flowlines annually
ƒ Install ejector
ƒ Use composite wrap repair
ƒ Use improved protective coating at pipeline canal
crossings
ƒ Use portable compressors
Tanks
ƒ Consolidate crude oil production and water storage
tanks
ƒ Convert water tank blanket from natural gas to
produced CO2 gas
ƒ Install pressurized storage of condensate
ƒ Install vapor recovery units on crude oil storage tanks
ƒ Recover gas from pipeline pigging operations
ƒ Recycle line recovers gas during condensate loading

Pneumatics/Controls
ƒ Convert gas pneumatic controls to instrument air
ƒ Convert pneumatics to mechanical controls
ƒ Install electronic flare ignition devices
ƒ Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrators

ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ

Compressors/Engines
Convert engine starting to nitrogen
Install automated air/fuel ratio control systems
Install electric compressors
Install electric starters
Install instrument air systems
Redesign blowdown systems and alter ESD practices
Reduce emissions when taking compressors off-line
Reduce emissions from compressor rod packing
systems
Reduce frequency of engine starts with gas
Replace gas starters with air
Replace ignition/reduce false starts
Replace wet compressor seals with dry seals

Valves
ƒ Inspect and repair compressor station blowdown
valves
ƒ Install BASO® valves
ƒ Replace burst plates with secondary relief valves
ƒ Test and repair pressure safety valves
ƒ Test gate station pressure relief valves with nitrogen
ƒ Use ultrasound to identify leaks
Wells
ƒ Connect casing to vapor recovery unit
ƒ Install capillary strings
ƒ Install compressors to capture casinghead gas
ƒ Install downhole separator pumps
ƒ Install plunger lift system in gas wells
ƒ Install pumpjacks on low water production gas wells
ƒ Install gas well “smart” automation system
ƒ Install velocity tubing strings
ƒ Optimize gas well unloading times
ƒ Perform green completions
ƒ Use foaming agents
Other
ƒ Conduct facility/process optimization audit
ƒ Conduct directed inspection and maintenance at
remote sites
ƒ Eliminate unnecessary equipment and/or systems
ƒ Install electronic safety devices
ƒ Install flares
ƒ Lower heater-treater temperature
ƒ Recover field gas

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

Appendix A-2

Methane Emission Reduction Technologies & Practices- Processing Sector
The list below describes a variety of methane emission reduction technologies and practices that Natural Gas STAR
partners in the processing sector have implemented and reported to Natural Gas STAR. You may use this list as a
guide when completing your Implementation Plan. More information on each of these activities can be found at
epa.gov/gasstar/techprac.htm.
Compressors/Engines

Dehydrators

ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ

Convert gas-driven chemical pumps to instrument air
Install condenser on glycol vent
Install flash tank separators on glycol dehydrators
Install zero emissions dehydrators
Pipe glycol dehydrator to vapor recovery unit
Reduce/optimize glycol circulation rates in dehydrators
Replace gas-assisted glycol pumps with electric pumps
Replace glycol dehydration units with methanol
injection
Replace glycol dehydrators with desiccant dehydrators
Reroute glycol skimmer gas

Pneumatics/Controls

ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ

Convert engine starting to nitrogen
Install automated air/fuel ratio control systems
Install electric compressors
Install electric starters
Lower purge pressure for shutdown
Modify compressor shutdown logic
Redesign blowdown systems and alter ESD practices
Reduce emissions when taking compressors off-line
Reduce frequency of engine starts with gas
Replace gas starters with air
Replace ignition/reduce false starts
Replace compressor rod packing systems
Replace wet compressor seals with dry seals

Tanks

ƒ
ƒ

Convert gas pneumatics to instrument air systems
Convert pneumatics to mechanical controls
Install electronic flare ignition devices
Replace high-bleed pneumatic devices

ƒ
ƒ

Install pressurized storage of condensate
Install truck-loading VRUs on liquid storage and
transfer
Recover gas from pipeline pigging operations
Recycle line recovers gas during condensate loading

Pipelines

Valves

ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ

ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ

Inspect and repair compressor station blowdown valves
Replace burst plates with secondary relief valves
Test and repair pressure safety valves
Test gate station pressure relief valves with nitrogen
Use of YALE® closures for ESD testing
Use ultrasound to identify leaks

ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ

Use composite wrap repair
Use hot taps for in service pipeline connections
Use improved protective coating at pipeline canal
crossings
Use fixed/portable compressors for pipeline pumpdown
Use inert gases and pigs to perform pipeline purges

Other

ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ

Conduct facility/process optimization audit
Conduct helicopter leak surveys
Conduct nitrogen rejection unit optimization
Conduct directed inspection and maintenance at gas
plants and booster stations
Conduct directed inspection and maintenance at
remote sites
Eliminate unnecessary equipment or systems
Install flares
Use IR camera/optical imaging for leak detection

Appendix A-3

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

Methane Emission Reduction Technologies & PracticesTransmission and Distribution Sectors
The list below describes a variety of methane emission reduction technologies and practices that Natural Gas STAR
partners in the transmission and distribution sectors have implemented and reported to Natural Gas STAR. You may
use this list as a guide when completing your Implementation Plan. More information on each of these activities can be
found at epa.gov/gasstar/techprac.htm.
Pipelines

ƒ Identify and rehabilitate leaky distribution pipe
ƒ Inject blowdown gas into low pressure mains
ƒ Insert gas main flexible liners
ƒ Install ejector
ƒ Reduce distribution system pressure (manual)
ƒ Reinject blowdown gas
ƒ Use composite wrap repair
ƒ Use hot taps for in service pipeline connections
ƒ Use inert gases and pigs to perform pipeline purges
ƒ Use fixed/portable compressors for pipeline pumpdown
ƒ Use improved protective coating at pipeline canal
crossings

ƒ Use automated systems to reduce pressure (e.g., smart
regulators/clocking solenoids)

ƒ Use flares for pipeline pumpdown/maintenance
Valves

ƒ Close main and unit valves prior to blowdown
ƒ Design isolation valves to minimize gas blowdown
volumes

ƒ Inspect and repair compressor station blowdown valves
ƒ Install excess flow valves
ƒ Move fire gates in to reduce venting at compressor
stations

ƒ Perform leak repair during pipeline replacement
ƒ Replace burst plates with secondary relief valves
ƒ Test and repair pressure safety valves
ƒ Test gate station pressure relief valves with nitrogen
ƒ Use YALE® closures for ESD testing
ƒ Use ultrasound to identify leaks
Dehydrators

ƒ Convert gas-driven chemical pumps to instrument air
ƒ Install condenser on glycol vent
ƒ Install zero emissions dehydrators
ƒ Pipe glycol dehydrator to vapor recovery unit
ƒ Replace gas-assisted glycol pumps with electric pumps
ƒ Replace glycol dehydrators with separators and in-line
heaters

ƒ Reroute glycol skimmer gas

Compressors/Engines

ƒ Automate systems operations to reduce venting
ƒ Convert engine starting to nitrogen
ƒ Install automated air/fuel ratio control systems
ƒ Install electric compressors
ƒ Install electric starters
ƒ Install static pacs at compressor stations
ƒ Lower purge pressure for shutdown
ƒ Redesign blowdown systems and alter ESD practices
ƒ Reduce emissions when taking compressors off-line
ƒ Reduce frequency of engine starts with gas
ƒ Replace compressor cylinder unloaders
ƒ Replace compressor rod packing systems
ƒ Replace gas starters with air
ƒ Replace ignition/reduce false starts
ƒ Replace wet compressor seals with dry seals
ƒ Use turbines at compressor stations
Pneumatics/Controls

ƒ Convert gas pneumatic controls to instrument air
ƒ Convert pneumatics to mechanical controls
ƒ Identify and replace high-bleed pneumatic devices
ƒ Install electric flare ignition devices
ƒ Reduce frequency of replacing modules in turbine meters
ƒ Replace bi-directional orifice metering with ultrasonic
meters

Tanks

ƒ Capture methane released from pipeline liquid tanks
ƒ Install pressurized storage of condensate
ƒ Install vapor recovery units on storage tanks
ƒ Purge and retire low pressure gas holders
ƒ Recover gas from pipeline pigging operations
ƒ Recycle line recovers gas during condensate loading

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

Appendix A-3 (continued)

Methane Emission Reduction Technologies & PracticesTransmission and Distribution Sectors
Other

ƒ Conduct helicopter leak surveys
ƒ Conduct directed inspection and maintenance at
compressor stations

ƒ Conduct directed inspection and maintenance at gate
stations and surface facilities
ƒ Conduct directed inspection and maintenance at remote
sites
ƒ Eliminate unnecessary equipment and/or systems
ƒ Increase walking survey from 5 to 3 year basis
ƒ Install flares
ƒ Require improvements in the quality of gas received from
producers
ƒ Use IR camera/optical imaging for leak detection

OMB Control No. 2060-0328 Approval Expires 3/31/2008

Appendix B

Conversion Factors
Please see below for a variety of conversion factors that might be useful when completing your Implementation Plan.
Please contact Natural Gas STAR if you have questions about this information.
Gas Conversions
Please report emissions reductions to Natural Gas STAR International in thousand cubic feet (Mcf).
1 Cubic foot of methane
1 Btu

= 1,014.6 Btu
= 0.000986 Cubic feet of methane

1 Cubic foot
1 Cubic meter

= 0.02832 Cubic meter
= 35.312 Cubic feet

1 Mile
1 Kilometer

= 1.609 Kilometer
= 0.6214 Mile

1 Btu
1 Calorie

= 251.996 Calories
= 0.00397 Btu

1 Btu
1 Joule

= 1055.056 Joules
= 0.00095 Btu

Please send completed forms to:
Roger Fernandez
The Natural Gas STAR Program
Team Leader
Phone: (01) (202) 343-9386
Fax: (01) (202) 343-2202
Email: [email protected]
Standard Mail:
Roger Fernandez
The Natural Gas STAR Program
U.S. EPA (6207J)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20460
U.S.A.
Express/Overnight Mail:
Roger Fernandez
The Natural Gas STAR Program
U.S. EPA (6207J)
1310 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
U.S.A.

The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated
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comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden
estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through
the use of automated collection techniques to the Director, Collection Strategies Division,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington,
D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any correspondence. Do not send the
completed form to this address.