As the world seeks ways to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the natural gas industry has taken significant strides in adopting innovative methods to decrease emissions and control flaring. One such method is Versiv innovative cross compression service, a process that involves the compression of natural gas to capture and redirect it into another section of the pipeline instead of venting it into the atmosphere.
We are honored that Versiv Solutions was recently featured in GTI Energy’s report, Best Purging Practices for Minimizing Methane Emissions, which provides essential guidance for natural gas utility operators seeking to implement these alternative purging practices safely and effectively.
This mention recognizes our commitment to sustainable practices, reducing the greenhouse effect, and our mission to offer natural gas and energy industry solutions that prevent CO2 and methane from entering the atmosphere.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF CROSS COMPRESSION FOR PURGING PRACTICES
As the GTI Energy report explains, “Natural gas utility operators have traditionally vented natural gas to the atmosphere as a daily practice when purging pipelines or sections of pipelines into or out of service. This has long been considered common practice for utility operators.” (GTI, p. 10). Methane is estimated to be 25-30 times more effective at trapping heat than CO₂, making methane reduction efforts in the industry critical. Cross compression, which captures gas that would otherwise be vented and redirects it into another section of the pipeline, has emerged as a key method for reducing emissions and minimizing environmental impact. It also complements pipeline pigging operations, a process where specialized tools, known as “pigs,” are used to clean or inspect pipelines. By capturing and redirecting gas during pigging, operators can further minimize emissions and prevent unnecessary flaring or venting.
The report notes that cross compression is particularly useful for complex settings like airports and urban areas, where depending on the situation, without cross compression could have paused business operations. By transferring gas to a safe storage or pipeline location, operators can prevent methane release and reduce the ecological footprint of purging operations. Unlike flaring, which converts methane into CO₂ but still releases greenhouse gases in addition to wasting the product, cross compression ensures that gas is safely redirected without atmospheric release, making it a superior alternative for reducing emissions and minimal disruption to everyday operations.
Along with the opportunity to adopt environmental stewardship, is the cost benefit that many operators take advantage of by partnering with us. By reducing emissions beyond regulatory requirements, operators can qualify for ERCs (Emission Reduction Credits), which can be used internally or traded to offset costs associated with operational complexities. This dual benefit—emissions reduction and financial value—makes early planning and feasibility assessments even more worthwhile.
Whether handling complex urban environments or supporting operations like purging, asset maintenance, Compressor or Meter & Regulator Station Facilities, pipeline pigging maintenance and inspections, or cross compression offers a practical solution to minimize environmental impact.
OVERCOMING OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES
GTI’s research provides an honest look at the logistical and operational challenges of implementing cross compression. The project team conducted regular Technical Advisory Panel (TAP Group) meetings to gather insights and included trusted industry resources such as the Blowdown Emission Reduction White Paper (AGA, 2020). Providing the reader with up to date, one stop-shop observations to easily gather their own perspective on the best purging alternatives for their company’s operations.
The report points out that while the technology is effective, “large equipment and footprint requirements can pose challenges in urban or highly trafficked environments” (GTI, p. 37). To address these, operators must engage in early planning and feasibility assessments to optimize the setup for each location. The report suggests that companies should consider factors such as equipment size, noise levels, and environmental impact, especially in residential or sensitive areas.
The growing body of information about emission reduction practices is a valuable resource in our industry. At Versiv, we are committed to educating our partners nationwide about the benefits of cross compression as a best practice. While we are confident in its effectiveness, we encourage operators, project managers, and industry leaders to carefully weigh the opportunities and challenges of each purging alternative to enhance sustainability, operational efficiency, and public perception or concern.
Click the link to read the full white paper “Best Purging Practices for Minimizing
Methane Emissions :[https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/matrix/FilGet.rdm?fil=19476&s=0E655BD58D884B0C93B9411DC5C85DFE&c=1]