The Environmental Partnership Expands to Include Pipeline Companies, Outlines Latest Efforts to Reduce Emissions

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2020 – The Environmental Partnership today released its second annual report, highlighting the industry’s progress in reducing emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and working together to protect the environment. The Partnership also announced it has expanded its membership to midstream companies and has more than tripled, from 26 to 83 participants.

“Even during these challenging times for our industry and the U.S. economy, America’s natural gas and oil companies remain steadfast in their commitment to leading the world in environmental performance and reducing emissions,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “From large integrated global companies to smaller independent energy firms, and for the first time including midstream members, this partnership shows our industry stands ready to tackle the nation’s energy challenges while providing affordable, reliable and cleaner energy.”

Since its launch in 2017, The Environmental Partnership has more than tripled in size, including 36 of the top 40 U.S. natural gas producers. These companies, ranging from the smallest to the largest and operating across the United States and in every major onshore production basin, demonstrate the broad reach and implementation of the program.

“None of this is possible without the dedication of the women and men of the participating companies, and we are grateful for the enthusiasm and leadership they continue to bring to The Environmental Partnership,” said Vanessa Ryan, manager of the carbon reduction team at Chevron and chair of The Environmental Partnership. “As the program has grown, so has the interest across the industry to learn more about the program and become part of this important coalition. We’re thrilled to add additional midstream companies and new programs and look forward to seeing them taking action, with their contributions reflected in next year’s annual report.”

Industry actions have already proven effective for reducing methane emissions. Between 2011-2018, industry actions led to a nearly 70 percent decline in methane emission rates across five of the largest producing regions across the U.S., even as natural gas production in those regions tripled over the period. The Environmental Partnership was launched in 2017 to build on this progress.

“It's clear that through The Environmental Partnership and other industry-led efforts, our industry is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and driving emissions lower,” Director for The Environmental Partnership Matthew Todd said. “By sharing best practices, implementing innovative programs and advancing new technologies, we will continue to drive operational improvements in the years ahead.”

Highlights from the annual report include:

• Implementing Leak Detection and Repair Program: More than 184,000 surveys were conducted across more than 87,000 production sites. The surveys found that of the more than 116 million component inspections performed, only 0.08 percent of the components needed repair—ten times lower than EPA estimates.

• Replacing Pneumatic Controller Program: More than 3,300 high-bleed pneumatic controllers have been replaced, retrofitted or removed from service by the companies participating in the program. Notably, 43 participating companies in the program reported they suspended use of high-bleed pneumatic controllers in their operations. The Partnership expanded this program to address emissions from all gas-driven controllers, not just high-bleeds, leading to the removal of more than 10,500 additional gas-driven controllers and installation of more than 2,800 zero-emission controllers.

• Increased Monitoring: Through The Environmental Partnership’s Manual Liquids Unloading Program, more than 44,000 manual liquids unloading events were monitored in 2019, minimizing their duration and the emissions associated with these actions.

To view the annual report and more information about the program and companies’ commitments, visit www.TheEnvironmentalPartnership.org.

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In our first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.