## Review of Compressor and Leak White Papers

Hello, I am Derek Johnson, a research assistant professor at West Virginia University's Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines, and Emissions (CAFEE). We recently participated in the Environmental Defense Funds (EDF) Barnett Methane Emissions Campaign in October of 2013. See the following links for additi onal information ( http://www.edf.org/media/agu­fall­meeting­scientist s­discuss­innovations­better­define­us­methaneemissions , http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2014/01/17/wvu­researcher s­participate­in­methanequantification­campaign ). I just reviewed both the White Paper on Compressorsand the White Paper on Leaks (20140414compressors.pdf and 20140415leaks.pdf). W e have currently obtained a small data set that relates to these efforts. The goal of the WVU team was originally to quantifyleaks and losses occurring at production wellheads. However, due to limited access WVU augmented their portion of the study to focus on leak and loss audits of five natural gas compressor and stor age facilities. The WVU teams consisted of 6­ 8 faculty, researchers, technicians, and graduate research assistants. The teams used handheld methane detectors and a FLIR 320 infrared camera to detect leak and loss components at these facilities. WVU typically used a detection threshold of 500 PPM or lower as opposed to the industry standard 10,000 PPM. When leaks and losses were detected, a WVU dev eloped micro­ dilution high volume sampling system was used to capture the entire leak. Flow an d methane were measured in­ situ when possible using portable Los Gatos Research Greenhouse Gas An alyzers. In some cases bag samples were collected and speciated for methane, ethane, and pr opane. WVU has currently submitted its final confidential report to the EDF. The EDF and collaborators are currently analyzing the entire data sets from all t eams to develop synthesis results to estimate methane emission in the Barnett. In addition to the group publications WVU has submitted two papers to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The first technical publications focuses on the leaks and losses associated with only the engin e and compressor units at these facilities (ICEF201 4­ 5626, under review) and will be presented at the Oc tober 2014 ICE Conference. This report will focus on the engine/turbine emissions, crankcase emissions, reciprocating compressor packing losses, and turbine wet seal losses, and any leaking components of the engine and compre ssor units. The second technical publication (IMECE2014­38582, under revie w) focuses on the reduction potential of using 

### Johnson <Derek.Johnson@mail.wvu.edu> Derek
Thu 5/15/2014 2:57 PM

To: OilandGas.Whitepapers <OilandGas.Whitepapers@epa.gov>;
Cc: acoving1@mix.wvu.edu <acoving1@mix.wvu.edu>; David Lyon <dlyon@edf.org>; **Page 1**  **of 2**  **Review of Compressor and Leak White Papers**

**- OilandGas.Whitepapers** 

**8/ 27/** **2014 https://pod51045.outlook.com/owa/OilandGas.Whitepapers@epa.gov/** close crankcase technology on fugitive methane miti gation and the potential reduction of additional

site losses through fumigation into the engine intakes for combustion. The findings will be presented at the International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exposition in Montreal Canada in November of 2014. WVU is currently further analyzing the complete dat a set to produce three additional publications. One of these publications will focus on the total data set as submitted in the confidential report to the EDF. A second manuscript will compared the measured emis sions rates of specific components (engines, packing seals, etc.) to the currently accepted and reported emissions factors. The final paper will examine how the leaks and losses at these facilities compare to the facility throughput from both an economic and environmental view. This analysis will compare the losses based on current natural gas market values, the GWP of these emissions, and the equivalent social cost of carbon (SCC) from these greenhouse gas emissions. WVU is currently developing some seed data in the form of 'abandoned' or legacy well emissions and believes that additional in­situ quantification of leaks and losses across the natur al gas supply chain are required to better refine emissions factors used fo r bottom inventory estimates. WVU and CAFEE will be happy to share any data after the EDF and WVU pu blications are made publicly available. WVU is also actively pursuing additional funding opportunities to use its current capabilities to pe rform additional leak and loss research. If there are anyquestions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me using the information below. WVU and CAF EE are excited to help and assist in any fashion. Sincerely,​

Derek Johnson, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines, and Emission s derek.johnson@mail.wvu.edu (304)­216­6592
cafee.wvu.edu www.naftc.wvu.edu **Page 2** **of 2**  **Review of Compressor and Leak White Papers**

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**8/ 27/** **2014 https://pod51045.outlook.com/owa/OilandGas.Whitepapers@epa.gov/**