Super-emitters in natural gas infrastructure are caused by abnormal process conditions

Daniel Zavala-Araiza (), Ramón A Alvarez, David R. Lyon, David T. Allen, Anthony J. Marchese, Daniel J. Zimmerle and Steven P. Hamburg
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Daniel Zavala-Araiza: Environmental Defense Fund
Ramón A Alvarez: Environmental Defense Fund
David R. Lyon: Environmental Defense Fund
David T. Allen: Center for Energy and Environmental Resources, The University of Texas at Austin
Anthony J. Marchese: Colorado State University
Daniel J. Zimmerle: The Energy Institute, Colorado State University
Steven P. Hamburg: Environmental Defense Fund

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Effectively mitigating methane emissions from the natural gas supply chain requires addressing the disproportionate influence of high-emitting sources. Here we use a Monte Carlo simulation to aggregate methane emissions from all components on natural gas production sites in the Barnett Shale production region (Texas). Our total emission estimates are two-thirds of those derived from independent site-based measurements. Although some high-emitting operations occur by design (condensate flashing and liquid unloadings), they occur more than an order of magnitude less frequently than required to explain the reported frequency at which high site-based emissions are observed. We conclude that the occurrence of abnormal process conditions (for example, malfunctions upstream of the point of emissions; equipment issues) cause additional emissions that explain the gap between component-based and site-based emissions. Such abnormal conditions can cause a substantial proportion of a site’s gas production to be emitted to the atmosphere and are the defining attribute of super-emitting sites.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14012

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