Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs) PRO Fact Sheet No. 604 for Reducing Methane Emissions 

Install BASO® Valves 

Estimated 

Gas Price 

Annual 

Methane 

Savings 

Value of 

Annual

 Gas Savings* 

Estimated 

Implementation 

Cost 

Incremental 

Operating Cost 

Payback 

(months) 

$7.00/Mcf 203 Mcf $1,500 $100 $0 1 Months 

$5.00/Mcf 203 Mcf $1,100 $100 $0 2 Months 

$3.00/Mcf 203 Mcf $650 $100 $0 2 Months 

Economic and Environmental Benefits 

Economic Evaluation 

Additional Benefits 

 Operations and maintenance cost savings 

 Improved safety 

Estimated annual methane emission reductions 203 Mcf per valve 

Methane Savings 

* Whole gas savings are calculated using a conversion factor of 94% methane in pipeline quality natural gas. 

Technology/Practice Overview 

Description 

Crude oil heater-treaters, gas

dehydrators, and gas heaters burn 

natural gas in air-aspirated burners to 

provide processing heat. Strong wind 

gusts can blow out the pilot flame 

resulting in methane emissions. Gas 

leaks will persist until the pilot is relit. 

Partners have reported using BASO® 

valves to prevent this gas loss and 

methane emissions. BASO® valves are 

snap-action valves activated by a 

thermocouple that senses the pilot flame 

temperature. When the flame is 

extinguished, the valve automatically

shuts off the fuel gas flow, preventing

continued fuel loss and methane 

emissions. These valves are particularly 

effective at remote, unmanned 

production sites. 

Operating Requirements 

The maximum inlet pilot gas pressure

allowed is 1⁄2 psig. 

Applicability 

This technology is applicable on all gasfired heaters. 

Methane Emissions 

The methane emission savings are 

calculated for a fuel gas rate that heats 

crude oil to 100o F, assuming 75 percent 

efficiency. One Partner reported

methane savings of 222 Mcf per year for

a single installation. 

Economic Analysis 

Basis for Costs and Emissions Savings 

Methane emissions savings of 203 Mcf 

per year are estimated for installing a 

Compressors/Engines 

Dehydrators 

Directed Inspection & 

Maintenance 

Pipelines 

Pneumatics/Controls 

Tanks 

Valves 

Wells 

Other 

Applicable Sector(s) 

Production 

Processing 

Transmission 

Distribution 

Other Related PROs: 

Install Electronic Flare Ignition 

Devices, PRO No. 903 
 

PRO Fact Sheet No. 604 Continued 

Install BASO® Valves (Cont’d) 

BASO® valve on a 1,000 bbl per day heater-treater that 

experiences a flameout period of 10 days annually. It is

estimated that each BASO® valve costs less than $100. 

Discussion 

This technology has a quick payback. By installing

BASO® valves, the fuel gas supply for pilot flames is shut 

off if the flame goes out, preventing methane emissions 

and loss of valuable fuel gas. The economic benefits are 

complemented by improved safety. 

The average methane content of natural gas varies by natural gas 

industry sector. The Natural Gas STAR Program assumes the 

following methane content of natural gas when estimating 

methane savings for Partner Reported Opportunities. 

Production 79 % 

Processing 87 % 

Transmission and Distribution 94 % 

Methane Content of Natural Gas 

2011 2