Leveraging Nitrogen to Eliminate Methane Venting at New and Modified Sites Across North America (Greenfield Application)

Background:

Well sites across North America are subject to methane regulations which require non-emitting pneumatic devices at new, modified, and existing wells. While pre-existing facilities have a longer timeline to convert pneumatics to non-emitting options, new facilities in many jurisdictions are not permitted to vent methane at any time. This includes new wells drilled at existing facilities and, in the USA, sites that have experienced modifications or recent construction, regardless of the age of the well or access to grid power.

Kathairos offers a robust solution for eliminating pneumatic venting at new, modified and existing facilities by utilizing liquid nitrogen to power pneumatic devices. Liquid nitrogen is stored onsite in a cryogenic tank and tied into existing operations, eliminating the need for methane as instrument gas, and the subsequent venting of methane during routine well site operations. Further, it is an extremely economical mitigation solution that requires zero upfront capital cost, operator involvement, replacement of existing systems, repair and maintenance or onsite power generation.

Regulatory Landscape: Multiple jurisdictions prohibit fuel-gas driven pneumatics at new or modified well site facilities:

• Alberta, Canada: According to Directive 060 “Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring, Incinerating, and Venting,”any pneumatics installed on or after January 1, 2022, must “prevent or control vent gas from pneumatic instruments,” with the exception of pneumatic pumps operating less than 750 hours/year (~31 days).

• British Columbia, Canada: As per B.C. Reg. 282/2010 “Drilling and Production Regulation”, a “facility permit holder of a facility that began operations on or after January 1, 2021, must not use at the facility a pneumatic device that emits natural gas,” with the exception of pumps operating less than 750h/year.‍

• Saskatchewan, Canada: According to Directive PNG036 “Venting and Flaring Requirements”, “Licensees must not vent natural gas from pneumatic devices at facilities licensed on or after January 1st, 2025.”

• United States: 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOb requires zero-emission pneumatics at all new or modified facilities by May 7, 2025. Affected facilities are not permitted to switch back to fuel gas.

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Request the whitepaper to learn more about how enabling zero-emission pneumatic operations from the onset, North American producers are ensuring compliance with methane regulations while delivering unparalleled reliability and flexibility.

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