A Hands-on Guide to 

Implementing the 

Natural Gas STAR 

Program 
Welcome 

Natural Gas STAR Partners! 

S

ince the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

launched the Natural Gas STAR Program in 1993, 

more than 90 companies—representing natural gas 

production, processing, transmission, and distribution 

operations—have voluntarily partnered with EPA to identify 

and implement cost-effective, gas-saving technologies 

and management practices. This partnership has provided 

significant economic and environmental benefits. Thanks 

to partner efforts, methane emissions have been reduced 

by more than 220 billion cubic feet as of 2001, with savings estimated at over $660 billion. 

This demonstration of industry ingenuity and commitment 

has shown that active participation in the Gas STAR 

Program not only offers quantifiable environmental 

benefits, but also provides opportunities for partners to 

improve operational efficiency, maximize revenues, and 

enhance each company’s competitive edge in the natural 

gas marketplace. 

To help you make the most of your participation in the 

Natural Gas STAR Program, EPA created this 

Implementation Guide to support your company’s efforts 

to initiate projects that reduce methane emissions and to 

guide you through the Program’s milestones. Featured 

within this document is information about the phases of 

program implementation and descriptions of the tools and 

services EPA has developed to assist you. 

We hope that you find this Implementation Guide an effective tool for implementing the Natural Gas STAR Program 

in a profitable and efficient manner. We look forward to 

your success in reducing methane emissions through the 

Natural Gas STAR Program and proving that cooperative, 

voluntary partnerships are an effective method for achieving both economic and environmental goals. 

Sincerely, 

The Natural Gas STAR Program Team 

Reducing Methane Emissions 

Increasing Efficiency 

Maximizing Profits 
Table of Contents


Getting Started ........................................................................................................................................................1 

Develop Internal Program Support................................................................................................................................1 

Incorporate Natural Gas STAR into Corporate Policy ...................................................................................................2 

Take Advantage of Natural Gas STAR Communications Resources ............................................................................2 

Assessing Methane Emissions Reductions Opportunities ...................................................................................5 

Review Best Management Practices (BMPs)................................................................................................................6 

Review Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs) ...........................................................................................................7 

Take Advantage of EPA Technical Resources ...............................................................................................................7 

Utilize EPA’s Online BMP/PRO Analysis Tool.................................................................................................................8 

Developing an Implementation Plan ......................................................................................................................9 

Review the Core Elements of the Implementation Plan ................................................................................................9 

Determine Your Implementation Approach .................................................................................................................10 

Evaluate Your Implementation Plan Periodically ..........................................................................................................12 

Reducing Methane Emissions ..............................................................................................................................13 

Use Natural Gas STAR Tools and Services to Implement BMPs and PROs ..............................................................13 

Take Advantage of Technology Transfer Opportunities ...............................................................................................14 

Documenting Success ..........................................................................................................................................17 

Compile Information on Emissions Reductions Accomplishments .............................................................................17 

Streamline Data Collection ..........................................................................................................................................18 

Take Advantage of EPA’s Online Tools ........................................................................................................................18 

Continuing Your Success......................................................................................................................................20 

Enhance Your Gas STAR Participation .......................................................................................................................20 

Stay Informed About the Latest Gas STAR Information..............................................................................................21 

Earn Public Recognition for Your Voluntary Efforts......................................................................................................21 

Resources..............................................................................................................................................................23

Implementation Guide 

Web Companion 

Throughout this guide, you will find many references to 

the Natural Gas STAR Web site at www.epa.gov/gasstar. 

This Implementation Guide has a Web companion that 

provides all the information contained in this document 

as well as links to templates for download, time-saving 

data collection and reporting tools, and regularly updated 

information about technologies, workshops, and 

program-related news. 

Note the icons below to quickly and easily identify 

content that is most relevant to your particular 

industry sector. 

Production 

Processing 

Transmission 

Distribution 
Y

our company signed a Memorandum of 

Understanding (MOU)—now what? Before you 

launch your first Natural Gas STAR project, EPA recommends taking some introductory steps to lay the 

groundwork for a successful partnership and maximize 

■ Leveraging 

existing corporate infrastructure, such as company environmental committees, to generate awareness of Natural Gas 

Getting Started 

your gas-saving opportunities. 

Develop Internal Program Support 

Creating a supportive corporate environment for Natural 

Gas STAR from the beginning is an important first step. 

This initial outreach will help your company as you plan 

and implement your initial emissions reductions activities 

and expand your program efforts in coming years. Ways 

in which you can develop and maintain internal program 

support include: 

■ Educating management and field personnel about the 

Program and your company’s commitment to reducing 

methane emissions and protecting the environment. 

Translate the implementation activities into specific economic benefits, and present this information to key decision-makers to justify program investments. 

■ Involving staff at all levels when determining how to 

implement the Program. Interact with operations and 

environmental managers as well as others in field and 

headquarters offices to nurture program buy-in. 

STAR and to implement gas-saving measures. 

■ Establishing communications with corporate media or 

public relations personnel to ensure program messages 

Implementation Tip—Create a 

Gas STAR Team 

Many partners find it useful to establish a Gas STAR 

Team composed of company employees from different 

departments. Depending on the size of your organization, you might consider recruiting individuals from 

management; environment, health, and safety (EH&S); 

operations; planning; marketing; public relations; and 

other personnel from company headquarters and field 

offices. An internal Gas STAR Team can help you educate staff about the Program; identify methane emissions reductions opportunities; provide feedback on the 

value of methane emissions reductions activities; collect 

data for compiling and submitting the annual report; and 

promote milestones and other achievements. 

1 
are effectively delivered company-wide and externally to 

customers and other stakeholders. 

■ Developing routine, ongoing communications mechanisms to keep senior management and key staff 

informed. Use e-mail listservs, Web forums, newsletters, 

and regularly scheduled satellite or phone conferences 

to share information. 

Incorporate Natural Gas STAR into 

Corporate Policy 

As you build the foundation for internal program support, 

identifying where the Natural Gas STAR Program can 

complement and be integrated with other company initiatives and programs can be helpful. The benefits of participating in Natural Gas STAR are far-reaching and can have 

a positive impact across multiple company programs and 

policies. For example, several partners have found that 

Gas STAR can be incorporated into their ISO 14000 certification plan. Other areas to incorporate the Gas STAR 

Program include: 

■ Environmental and operations activities. 

■ Efficiency improvements and pollution prevention 

programs. 

■ Environmental management systems. 

■ Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategies. 

■ Public relations campaigns. 

Take Advantage of Natural Gas STAR 

Communications Resources 

EPA offers a variety of resources to help you launch your 

Natural Gas STAR efforts and communicate with key 

company audiences. Many of the following products are 

offered online at the Natural Gas STAR Web site, 

www.epa.gov/gasstar. 

■ Natural Gas STAR Program Videos. EPA has produced two short videos to help implementation managers introduce employees to the Natural Gas STAR 

Program and the benefits of participation. The videos 

outline the Program, describe methane emissions 

reductions technologies and practices, and feature testimonials from program partners. 

■ Communications Toolkit. Use this Web-based toolkit 

to assist in communicating your program participation. 

The toolkit contains a variety of creative approaches—or 

“tools”—designed for easy customization. Each is taiSuccess Story: Columbia Gas & Columbia Gulf Transmission 

Upon joining Natural Gas STAR, Columbia formed a steering team to facilitate program management and decisionmaking. The team consists of employees from key groups (management, field staff, public relations, EH&S, and 

others) from both transmission companies. Columbia attributes the team with streamlining program decision-making, 

eliminating multiple levels of review, and playing an instrumental role in identifying methane emissions reductions 

technologies and practices. 

2 
lored for a specific audience, such as shareholders and 

potential investors, employees, peers, and customers. 

The tools are available in PDF or HTML files to complement the methods of communicating your program 

participation. 

Implementation Tips— 

Secure Upper Management Support 

Visible management support will invigorate field personnel and result in a stronger Gas STAR Program. Make 

sure to share your successes with upper management. 

Involve Field Personnel 

Field staff are instrumental to successful program 

implementation. Regular meetings between the implementation manager and field staff help ensure that 

employees are well-informed of existing and new technologies. Good communication pays off in increased 

revenues and environmental benefits. 

The Natural Gas STAR Communications Toolkit can help 

you gain support throughout your company, inform and 

motivate employees, enhance your corporate image, and 

generate positive publicity. 

It is organized into three components and can be customized to promote your program participation at all levels 

of implementation. 

■ Announcing Your Partnership. Announce your new 

partnership to peers, shareholders, employees, and the 

public. Your participation in the Program demonstrates 

your company's commitment to doing business in an 

environmentally responsible manner. 

The following tools are available as PDF or HTML files: 

• Communications templates: press release, Web 

site, company newsletter, stockholder newsletter, 

and an annual/environmental report. 

•	 Partner samples: press releases and newsletters 

released by partner companies on their work and 

program participation. 

■ Gaining Support. Gaining support from management 

and operations staff is critical in making your STAR 

Program a success. The Natural Gas STAR Program 

provides many tools to help you gain commitment from 

managers and employees for implementation. The following tools are available: 

• Guide to Participation fact sheet 

• Presentations 

• Natural Gas STAR program videos 

• Journal articles 

• Program forms 

• Technical support documents 

• Natural Gas STAR logos 

■ Publicizing Achievements. As a Natural Gas STAR 

partner, take advantage of opportunities to publicize 

your STAR activities, achievements, and special awards 

for implementation excellence. Inform others about how 

your voluntary activities are protecting the environment 

while increasing efficiency and reducing costs. 

3 
You can use the following templates and tools to 


publicize your company's success in implementing Natural


Gas STAR. The following tools are available as PDF or


HTML files:


• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Press releases: accomplishments, awards, 

new projects. 

Web site: feature page, awards page. 

Company newsletter: accomplishments, 

awards. 

Stockholder newsletter: accomplishments, 

awards. 

Annual/environmental report: 

accomplishments. 

Utility billing insert: accomplishments, public 

awareness card. 

Partner samples for publicizing achievements. 

A template and sample index is also available to help you 

easily locate PDF or HTML files and to assist you in using 

the Natural Gas STAR Communications Toolkit to communicate your program participation. 

Success Story: Kerr-McGee 

Kerr-McGee credits its success implementing Gas STAR to support at all levels: senior management, division level 

management, and operations and field staff. High-level corporate support early on was instrumental in launching 

the Program, and the integration of Gas STAR into the existing program structure of the Environmental Excellence 

Teams has made it sustainable and facilitated all aspects of the Program by providing a mechanism for communication, education, and reporting. 

The company uses its Environmental Excellence Team to implement the Program and build internal support. This 

team meets regularly with field staff to analyze new emissions reductions opportunities, promote methane emissions 

reductions achievements internally, and educate new employees about the company’s partnership with EPA. KerrMcGee was awarded the Natural Gas STAR Production Partner of the Year award in 2000. 

4 
Assessing Methane 

Emissions Reductions 

Opportunities 

N

ow that you have established a system to facilitate 

internal communications and program management 

decisions, the next step is to assess how you will 

make Natural Gas STAR work for your company and how 

you will maximize methane emissions reductions opportunities. In most cases, this is best achieved using a twostep approach: 

STEP 1. Review your company's past operations and 

identify activities that resulted in reduced methane emissions. Developing an inventory of past emissions reductions projects not only helps to identify future opportunities, but it also allows you to document your company’s 

past achievements, and include these reductions in your 

annual report. 

STEP 2. Evaluate the Natural Gas STAR Best 

Management Practices (BMPs) and Partner Reported 

Opportunities (PROs), as well as any additional activities 

your company may have engaged in, for future implementation and for inclusion in your company's implementation 

plan. 

Both of these steps require that you first familiarize yourself with the Natural Gas STAR BMPs and PROs. 

Where Do Most Leaks Occur? 

Production: Pneumatic devices, glycol 

dehydrators, and fugitive emissions at the 

well site. 

Processing: Leaks from plants and booster 

stations, including compressor rod packing, 

valves, and open-ended lines. 

Transmission: Pipeline leaks and blowdowns; leaks and venting at compressor stations, such as valves, compressor seals, and 

open-ended lines. 

Distribution: Leaks at gate stations and 

metering stations, such as valves and openended-lines. 

5 
Review Best Management Practices

(BMPs) 

The Natural Gas STAR Program is built upon a set of 

proven methane emissions reductions strategies identified 

by EPA and representatives from the natural gas industry. 

From gas production to distribution operations, the core 

BMPs are aimed at reducing leaks and process venting 

from the largest sources. They are considered to be generally cost-effective and widely applicable across the 

industry. Together, these technologies and practices represent significant opportunities for the industry to reduce 

methane emissions and increase product savings. 

The following BMPs have been identified for each industry 

sector: 

BMP 1	 Identify and Replace HighBleed Pneumatic Devices 

BMP 2 Install Flash Tank Separators 

Production on Glycol Dehydrators 

BMP 3 Partner Reported Opportunities 

BMP 1	 Replace Gas Pneumatics with 

Instrument Air Systems 

BMP 2 Install Flash Tank Separators 

Processing on Glycol Dehydrators 

BMP 3	 Implement Directed Inspection 

and Maintenance (DI&M) at 

Gas Plants and Booster 

Stations 

BMP 4 Partner Reported Opportunities 

BMP 1	 Implement DI&M Programs at 

Gate Stations and Surface 

Facilities* 

Transmission BMP 2	 Identify and Rehabilitate Leaky 

Distribution Pipe* 

BMP 3 Implement DI&M Programs at 

Compressor Stations** 

BMP 4 Use Turbines at Compressor 

Stations for New Installations 

Distribution or When Retiring Reciprocating 

Engines** 

BMP 5	 Identify and Replace HighBleed Pneumatic Devices** 

BMP 6 Partner Reported Opportunities 

*BMPs typically reported by distribution sector. 

**BMPs typically reported by transmission sector. 

“We’re convinced that proactive 

environmental responsibility is good 

business. Efforts to reduce our methane 

emissions often improve the operating 

efficiency of the pipelines, and that leads 

to financial reward.” 

— Steve Wilner, Columbia Gas and 

Columbia Gulf Transmission 

6 
Review Partner Reported 

Opportunities (PROs) 

As part of your company’s commitment to the Natural 

Gas STAR Program, EPA encourages you to identify additional activities and technologies for reducing emissions 

and improving your operational efficiency. Called PROs, 

these management practices are a major source of reductions for Natural Gas STAR partners and serve as an 

opportunity for companies to pursue innovative emissions 

reductions ideas. 

PROs also fuel much of the technology transfer process 

that occurs within the Program when partners share 

quantitative and qualitative information about gassaving practices. 

To date, there are more than 50 PROs, and that number grows every year. PROs can be used as a one-time 

reduction opportunity or as part of your company’s 

long-term emissions reductions strategy. PROs include 

activities such as installing vapor recovery units, 

installing plunger lifts, using pipeline pumpdown techniques to lower line pressure before maintenance, and 

installing smart regulators. 

Take Advantage of EPA Technical 

Resources 

Natural Gas STAR has developed a series of technical 

documents and other tools to help partners evaluate 

methane mitigation technologies and practices for their 

own operations. More than a dozen Lessons Learned 

studies, developed with input from Natural Gas STAR partners, serve as effective guides for implementing BMPs and 

PROs. These studies contain: 

■ Descriptions of methane emissions reductions technologies and practices. 

■ Suggested step-by-step decision process for implementing the practice. 

■ Summarized cost and benefit information. 

■ Helpful implementation tips and reference sources for 

more information. 

In addition to the Lessons Learned studies, numerous 

PROs are described in PRO fact sheets, which offer: 

■ Brief description of the PRO. 

■ Discussion of the methane reduction potential. 

■ Possible frequency of application and life cycle for the PRO. 

■ Additional information, including potential benefits and 

costs with a simple calculation of the time to payout. 

■ Sources for more information. 

These fact sheets provide partner companies with information for evaluating the applicability of specific technologies and practices to their operations. 

Both the Lessons Learned studies and the PRO fact 

sheets are available on the Natural Gas STAR Web site. 

Visit regularly as EPA continually develops new materials. 

7 
Utilize EPA’s Online BMP/PRO

Analysis Tool 

Natural Gas STAR’s online BMP/PRO Analysis Tool assists 

partners in performing economic evaluations of BMPs and 

PROs and in documenting potential emissions reductions 

savings. This Web-based tool enables the user to conduct 

a customized site-specific or company-wide evaluation of 

selected BMPs and/or PROs. These evaluations can then 

be used in the decision-making process to determine the 

optimal level of implementation of a specific BMP or PRO. 

■ The tool prompts users to enter operational information 

and economic parameters, such as capital cost, operating costs, and current gas price. 

■ For some calculations, users can select default values 

for both economic and operational inputs. 

Based on this information, the tool performs an economic 

analysis for the selected BMP or PRO, providing details on 

the total cost, return on investment, payback period, and 

net present value. Results are presented in both tabular 

and graphical formats, including a graphical display of payback period. 

“The [EPA Natural Gas STAR] Program’s 

wealth of information about emissions 

reductions tactics eliminated time spent 

exploring and testing new solutions.” 

— Mike Milliet, ChevronTexaco 

Success Story: Keyspan Energy Delivery 

Keyspan field employees are encouraged to identify “quick-hit” opportunities and are expected to contribute to 

the company’s participation in Natural Gas STAR by informing the internal STAR team when a potential reduction 

opportunity is discovered. Managers and facility workers then examine the opportunity, determine its feasibility, 

and implement the new practice where appropriate. 

8 
Developing an 

Implementation Plan 

A

fter determining the BMPs and PROs that are 

appropriate and cost-effective for your company, 

the next step is to draft and submit an implementation plan. 

Review the Core Elements of the 

Implementation Plan 

An implementation plan summarizes how your company 

intends to incorporate the Gas STAR Program into your 

operations over a 3- to 5-year period. Overall, the implementation plan should: 

■ Conduct an inventory of past emissions reductions 

activities. Accounting for historical reductions will create 

a permanent record of your company’s methane emissions reductions efforts and help identify future opportunities. Creating an emissions reductions inventory will: 

•	 Help quantify the environmental and economic 

benefits of historical activities—great for proving 

value to management. 

•	 Help identify company best practices, which may 

be applicable to other facilities. 

•	 Help identify facilities that have the most room for 

improvement. 

•	 Create a permanent, documented record of past 

achievements in methane reduction. 

Success Story: Ocean Energy 

Upon joining the Natural Gas STAR Program, Ocean Energy conducted a thorough review of its operations, 

dating back to 1990, to identify historical emissions reductions. This process was instrumental in helping the 

company plan its future activities. 

9 
■ Identify BMPs, PROs, and other planned emissions 

reductions activities that match your company’s environmental and economic objectives. 

■ Outline the planned scope of implementation, noting 

installations or facilities to be included and an anticipated implementation schedule. 

■ Submit your plan using the template form provided 

by EPA or devise your own format. 

Your implementation plan represents your company’s 

intentions at the time of submission and is not binding. 

At any time, you may revise it to adjust for changing 

business conditions or corporate organization. All plans 

are kept confidential by EPA. Visit the Gas STAR Web 

site to download the implementation plan template or 

request samples from an EPA Natural Gas STAR program manager. 

Determine Your Implementation

Approach 

To maximize gas savings, EPA encourages you to 

implement methane emissions reductions practices as 

Implementation Tip 

Use the online BMP/PRO Analysis Tool to help you 

decide which cost-effective BMPs and PROs to 

feature in your implementation plan. 

broadly as possible. Gas STAR partners have adopted 

several different implementation strategies. 

■ Integrate with Current Activities. When conducting 

regular maintenance or replacement activities, incorporate Gas STAR Program activities and document 

methane savings. For example, El Paso Natural Gas 

Company now makes a practice of repairing and 

documenting leaks as soon as they are identified, 

rather than waiting for scheduled repair cycles. 

■ Develop a Pilot Project. Pilot projects can take 

many different forms. Consider identifying specific 

facilities or sites at which to implement one or more 

Natural Gas STAR BMPs or PROs. Many partners 

start their Gas STAR Program with a pilot project, 

Success Story: Kerr-McGee 

Kerr-McGee’s implementation plan highlights three key areas of activity: 

1. Identification of BMPs that the company can integrate into all new facilities where practical. 

2. Evaluation of the usefulness of the BMPs and PROs at older facilities on a case-by-case basis. 

3. Development of inventories of existing facilities to determine and document past methane emissions reductions. 

Kerr-McGee pays special attention to BMPs and PROs during new construction efforts, as it is more efficient to implement activities during the design stage than to retrofit later. 

10 
Success Story: Unocal Gulf Region USA 

Unocal Gulf Region USA initiated a technology-focused pilot project at its Fresh Water Bayou Facility in Louisiana to 

test the conversion of its natural gas-powered pneumatic instrument system to a compressed air powered system. 

The success of the project reinforced senior management support of the Natural Gas STAR Program and prompted 

the company to look for other opportunities to install instrument air systems. 

focusing on one or more BMPs on a small scale at 

select facilities. Pilot projects help partners determine 

associated costs and savings, timeframes, staffing, 

and operational requirements of a BMP or PRO 

before investing in large-scale improvements. 

Based on the results from a pilot project, you can 

determine whether or not those activities make sense 

for your company to repeat at other facilities and 

sites. Positive results from a pilot project can also 

help sell the Program internally. 

■ Conduct a Baseline Study. Conduct a baseline 

study of a methane emissions reductions technology 

or practice, and use the results to set performance 

standards or to create a “rule of thumb” to help 

determine future activities. For example, Marathon Oil 

Company conducted an in-depth review of pneumatic controllers as part of the company’s Natural Gas 

STAR efforts. In addition to measuring the typical 

pneumatic performance, the study discovered that if 

an operator could hear or feel the gas escaping from 

a device, then it was economical to replace it with a 

low-bleed device. This rule of thumb was adopted 

company-wide. 

■ Submit Your Implementation Plan. You may choose 

to submit your plan using a template form provided 

by EPA or devise your own format. 

When Should You Submit Your 

Implementation Plan to EPA? 

Within one year of joining the Program. 

Within one year of joining the Program. 

Within six months of joining the Program. 

Within six months of joining the Program. 

11 
Evaluate Your Implementation Plan

Periodically 

To ensure that you are maximizing the benefits of the 

BMPs and PROs, EPA encourages you to revisit and 

revise your implementation plan every three years. 

Consider: 

■ Redefining your company’s approach and expected 

level of effort. 

■ Re-assessing potential methane emissions reductions activities. Re-evaluate the applicability of BMPs 

and PROs to company operations and conduct costbenefit analyses to determine the profitability of possible activities. EPA’s Online Analysis Tool can help. 

■ Take advantage of EPA assistance—Natural Gas 

STAR service representatives, case studies, workshops, and a frequently updated Web site are all 

available resources to help you keep your company’s 

implementation strategy current. 

Natural Gas STAR Representatives 

at Your Service 

Natural Gas STAR service representatives are available to assist you in planing your company’s participation and implementation strategies, and will 

make a personal site visit if requested. An up-todate service representative listing is available on 

the Natural Gas STAR Web site. 

Success Story: ChevronTexaco 

ChevronTexaco focused its pilot project on a geographic region—its Gulf Coast regional facilities—rather than on a 

specific technology. The company encouraged operating personnel to develop their own methods for reducing emissions and to share those ideas with the rest of the pilot group. 

12 
Reducing Methane 

Emissions 

Up until this point in your partnership with EPA, 

you have established the internal framework for 

launching your company’s efforts. These activities 

have included: 

■ Creating a supportive internal environment with 

active involvement from senior management and 

field staff. 

■ Opening channels of communication to discuss 

methane emissions reductions technologies 

and practices. 

■ Assessing BMPs and PROs to identify the best fit 

with corporate objectives and policies. 

■ Developing and submitting an implementation plan. 

Putting your implementation plan into action and reducing methane emissions is the next level of participation 

in the Natural Gas STAR Program. 

Use Natural Gas STAR Tools 

and Services to Implement BMPs

and PROs 

As described earlier in this guide, EPA has developed a 

number of tools to help your company realize the financial and environmental benefits of participating in Gas 

STAR. Below is a summary of products and services 

that may help you to effectively manage your program 

efforts. These materials are available for download at 

the Natural Gas STAR Web site. 

■ Lessons Learned studies. Revisiting these studies 

frequently can offer added insights into the implementation of key technologies and practices. The simple, 

step-by-step decision process format and implementation tips provide valuable information based on the 

experiences of Natural Gas STAR partner companies. 

■ PRO fact sheets. Periodically review the PRO fact 

sheets for new ideas and basic information for evaluating the economic feasibility of implementing relevant 

PROs in your operations. A detailed list of fact sheets 

is posted online and new PRO fact sheets are added 

as they become available, including the operating 

requirements and applicability information. 13 
Success Story: El Paso Natural Gas Company 

El Paso Natural Gas Company has taken “Lessons Learned” to a higher level. The company developed environmental training modules and a lessons-learned database to help educate employees and demonstrate successful and unsuccessful activities. The database serves to share cost and benefit information about select environmental initiatives, while the modules provide instruction specific to El Paso Natural Gas. 

■ Case studies. Learn how other partners have implemented Natural Gas STAR. These case studies track 

a company’s involvement with the Program from the 

decision to join to the evaluation of BMPs and PROs, 

to the documentation of results. 

Companies including Kerr-McGee, Unocal Gulf Region 

USA, Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf Transmission, 

and KeySpan Energy Delivery (formerly Brooklyn Union 

Gas) are profiled. EPA adds case studies to the Natural 

Gas STAR Web site as they become available. Please 

visit the site for a complete list. 

■ Online Analysis Tool. Check out the online 

BMP/PRO Analysis Tool to evaluate new technologies 

and consider whether they are cost-effective to implement at your company. 

Do You Have a PRO to Share? 

EPA encourages you to identify and implement new 

PROs. If you discover a new way to reduce methane 

emissions, please let us know. This fuels the Gas 

STAR technology transfer process. 

Take Advantage of Technology

Transfer Opportunities 

The Natural Gas STAR Program can be a technical 

asset in today’s competitive environment. EPA continually assesses emerging technologies and facilitates 

peer-based exchange of technical and economic information on BMPs and PROs. This technology transfer 

process is one of the Gas STAR Program’s most important missions. 

To ensure that information on emerging technologies 

and important analyses are shared with partners, EPA 

offers the following services to assist in the transfer of 

information: 

Information Exchange 

■ Technology Transfer Workshops focus on issues 

related to reducing emissions from individual industry 

sectors. 

■ Annual Implementation Workshops provide partners 

and other interested companies with an opportunity 

to obtain information about the most current, costeffective emissions reductions technologies and practices, exchange ideas with other partners, and learn 

about new Gas STAR Program activities and initiatives. 

The workshop is typically held in October. 14 
■ Research Support. Natural Gas STAR has provided 

funding and other support to the Gas Research 

Institute, New York State Energy Research 

Development Authority, and to Southern Research 

Institute through EPA’s Environmental Technology 

Verification program. 

“The Natural Gas STAR Program showed us 

how to do things that we were already doing 

a little bit better. It showed us what some 

partners were doing, some of the equipment 

they were using, rather than what we had 

used in the past. And, it showed us how we 

could take account of our emissions.” 

— James Frederick, Unocal Gulf Region USA 

Success Story: Gas Technology Institute (GTI) 

In 2000, the Natural Gas STAR Program partnered with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) to investigate natural gas 

emissions from U.S. gas processing plants. The primary goal of the study was to determine the cost-effectiveness 

of conducting a directed inspection and maintenance program to reduce emissions at these facilities. 

GTI surveyed more than 101,000 individual equipment components at four plants. Major findings included: 

■ Approximately 2.6 percent of the surveyed components were leaking. 

■ Vibrational, high-use, or heat-cycle gas service components were the most leak-prone. 

■ Valves, connectors, compressor seals, and open-ended lines made up almost 90 percent of leaking components. 

■ 92 percent of leakage and 78 percent of methane emissions could be eliminated through cost-effective measures 

with a payout of one year or less. 

■ Repair of these leaks would lead to annual natural gas savings worth nearly $284,000 per site. 

■ Repairing only the 10 most cost-effective to repair leaks at each site would reduce gas losses by 35 percent. 

Conclusion: Processing plant operators can reduce gas losses significantly while enhancing profits by 

conducting periodic comprehensive leak detection and repair programs. 

15 
Technology Analysis 

■ Engineering and economic studies based on experiences and data voluntarily provided by partner companies. 

■ Lessons Learned studies describe partner experiences in implementing the BMPs and include detailed 

economic and technical information. 

■ Additional PRO fact sheets describe new methane 

emissions reductions practices identified by program 

partners. 

16 
Documenting 

Success 

T

he valuable information that partners provide in 

their annual reports helps the Program to better 

understand the sources of methane emissions and 

opportunities to reduce them. 

Each spring, EPA asks that you submit an annual 

progress report, documenting the methane emissions 

reductions activities your company has undertaken in the 

previous calendar year. Reporting is essential because it: 

■ Creates a permanent record of your company’s voluntary reductions. 

■ Demonstrates to company management the financial 

and environmental benefits of participating in Natural 

Gas STAR. 

■ Drives the technology transfer process. 

■ Proves that voluntary partnerships can be effective at 

reaching environmental goals. 

While your report remains confidential, EPA uses these 

data to develop technical and economic analyses of 

emerging technologies and management practices. 

These analyses are then used in tools like the 

Lessons Learned studies, PRO fact sheets, or online 

analysis tools. 

Compile Information on Emissions

Reductions Accomplishments 

As mentioned in the “Getting Started” section of this 

guide, your field staff or Gas STAR Team can help you 

collect data and compile your annual report. Typically, 

you will need to collect the following information for 

each BMP and PRO implemented: 

■ Brief description or name of practice. 

■ Cost summary. 

■ Methane emissions reductions in million cubic feet, 

either by direct measurement or calculated estimate. 

Default values for industry-reviewed methane emissions reductions are also available for many BMPs and 

PROs. 

Implementation Fact 

Most implementation managers estimate that they 

spend approximately 25 to 40 hours per year on 

Natural Gas STAR Program activities, which includes 

preparing the annual report. 

17 
■ Total value of gas saved. 

■ Expected implementation for next year. 

■ Any past activities implemented but not previously 

reported. 

EPA encourages you to submit additional comments 

about any BMPs and/or PROs implemented, describing 

additional economic, operational, environmental, or 

safety benefits achieved by implementing the practices. 

This information is important for developing future PRO 

fact sheets and Lessons Learned studies. 

Streamline Data Collection 

Completing your annual report is easier if you plan your 

information collection ahead of time: 

■ Advise staff of reporting requirements in advance— 

preferably as soon as you sign your MOU—then continue to document and measure year-round as appropriate. 

■ Be specific about information to be gathered and 

time your requests to prevent last-minute overload. 

■ Store data electronically in a spreadsheet program or 

other type of database to allow users to summarize 

and manipulate data. 

■ Couple reporting measurements with other routine 

annual surveys when possible. 

“Making sure that all individuals responsible 

for providing data understand what is needed 

and why is the best way to ensure accurate 

reporting results. Face-to-face meetings 

work best.” 

— Marilee Doherty, Reliant Energy Minnegasco 

Take Advantage of EPA’s Online Tools 

Online Reporting Tool—The Annual Report Time-Saver! 

The Online Reporting Tool is a Web-based tool that guides 

users through the reporting process. The tool prompts 

users to enter company-specific emissions reductions 

data and then perform various calculations, such as total 

emissions reductions and the value of the gas saved. 

Online reporting is password-protected to ensure security 

of all information. Partners can return to partially completed reports and finish them as time allows. Once the report 

is complete, partners can print out the final form for their 

records and submit it electronically to EPA. 

Online Data Collection and Management Tool—A 

Streamlined Data Management System! 

The Online Data Collection and Management Tool provides 

implementation managers with a simple Web-based 

mechanism to collect information from different facilities 

across their companies, aggregate these data, analyze the 

results, and generate and submit an annual report, if 

desired. The tool: 

■ Enables individuals from different facilities across the 

company to record project-level emissions reductions 

information. 

■ Provides for all data entry at the facility level via the 

Internet using password-protected access. 

■ Enables implementation managers to run summary 

reports of individual practices as well as company-wide 

activities. 

■ Facilitates information sharing internally or when submitted to the Natural Gas STAR Program as part of the 

annual reporting process. 

18 
Success Story: Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf Transmission 

According to Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf Transmission, setting measurable goals and objectives in the 

planning phase and then following through to maintain and increase momentum is essential. By devising metrics 

to measure and report reductions and savings, and incorporating measurements into the company’s existing 

centralized reporting systems, Columbia streamlined data collection and will reduce future administrative costs. 

19

■ Collaborate with EPA on a case study or journal artiContinuing 

Your Success 

S

uccess is an ongoing process. As technological, 

political, and economic circumstances change, 

new opportunities for process improvements and 

environmental protection will arise. Keep in touch with 

Gas STAR for the latest developments on emissions 

reductions technologies. 

Enhance Your Gas STAR Participation 

Natural Gas STAR is an evolving partnership that was 

built with direct input and guidance from natural gas 

industry professionals. To maximize your partnership in 

the Program, here are some ways you can stay actively 

involved: 

■ Exchange technology and information with other 

partners. 

■ Revisit BMPs and PROs for new opportunities to 

increase your company’s efficiency. 

■ Provide input and ideas to EPA and endorsing organizations on the direction of the Natural Gas STAR 

Program. 

■ Consider providing assistance and guidance in developing technical and economic evaluations of new 

reduction opportunities. 20 

cle highlighting your company’s Gas STAR experiences and accomplishments. 

■ Visit Natural Gas STAR’s Communications Toolkit 

online to discover the many ways you can promote 

your program participation and achievements to 

employees and customers. 

■ Attend the Annual Natural Gas STAR Implementation 

Workshop or Regional Technology Transfer 

Workshops to interact with peers and learn the latest 

Gas Star developments. 

Implementation Tip—Attend Regional 

Technology Transfer Workshops 

Natural Gas STAR conducts a series of Regional 

Technology Transfer Workshops, focusing on issues 

related to reducing emissions from individual industry 

sectors and processing operations. Visit the Natural 

Gas STAR Web site at www.epa.gov/gasstar for locations, dates, and times. 
■ Help bring new companies into the Program. The 

more partners that become involved in Gas STAR, 

the richer the technology transfer opportunities. 

“The workshops provide a lot of interaction 

between companies, with presentations 

about practices implemented. There are also 

roundtable discussions where partners can 

talk back and forth and answer questions or 

ask them of others.” 

— Tom Berringer, Marathon Oil Company 

Stay Informed About the Latest Gas

STAR Information 

EPA strives to provide new information on emerging 

technologies and practices to partners. Visit the Natural 

Gas STAR Web site frequently and watch your mail for 

new program publications and other developments 

such as: 

■ Partner Update. The Natural Gas STAR Partner 

Update features partnership news, partner profiles, 

articles about new technologies, and information 

about industry-related events. 

■ Workshops. Annual and regional workshops provide 

opportunities for EPA and partners to interact and 

discuss program innovations. 

■ New Technical Materials. EPA strives to continually 

develop new documents and products to help partners more efficiently implement the Natural Gas STAR 

Program. Visit the Gas STAR Web site for updates on 

new materials. 

Earn Public Recognition for Your 

Voluntary Efforts 

EPA recognizes exceptional Natural Gas STAR partners 

in technical articles and public service announcements 

placed in trade journals, such as the Harvard Business 

Review and Oil & Gas Journal, as well as through its 

prestigious awards program. The awards, presented at 

the Annual Implementation Workshop, recognize the 

achievements of partners who have embraced efficiency 

and incorporated strategic emissions management into 

their operations. Companies are evaluated for Partner of 

the Year Awards based on significant contributions in the 

areas of technology development, outreach, and program implementation. The Communication Toolkit is also 

a great resource to help partners promote their achievements by using the templates and samples. 

21 

Resources 

Need more information about implementing the 

Natural Gas STAR Program? Visit the Natural Gas 

STAR Web site at www.epa.gov/gasstar. The 

following items are available to help you reduce methane 

emissions: 

■ Comprehensive BMP and PRO descriptions. 

■ Case studies. 

■ Communications Toolkit. 

■ Information on how to obtain copies of the award-winning Natural Gas STAR videos. 

■ Lessons Learned studies. 

■ Partner Update. 

■ Presentations. 

■ PRO fact sheets. 

■ Program forms and templates—Memorandum of 

Understanding, Implementation Plan, and Annual 

Report. 

■ STAR service representatives contact information. 

■ Trade journal articles about Natural Gas STAR or 

authored by Natural Gas STAR partners. 

■ Web-based Tools—Online BMP/PRO Analysis Tool, 

Online Reporting Tool, and the Online Data Collection 

and Management Tool. 

23 
United States 

Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation (6202J) EPA430-F-03-013
www.epa.gov/gasstar July 2003