There is much controversy about the impact of greenhouse emissions on the climate of our planet and the ways we can positively and negatively influence our environment.
Nevertheless, because natural gas produces significantly less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than oil or coal, Chesapeake works to provide the most environmentally friendly, cleanest burning fuel in the form of natural gas, while reducing emissions throughout our operations. This belief, coupled with our efforts to reduce emissions in our processes, is in the best interest of our environment and a sensible business practice.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting
Chesapeake, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, collects data and submits scheduled reports of greenhouse gas emissions, as required by regulation. This data, combined with the information gathered by other fossil fuel suppliers, vehicle and engine manufacturers and other facilities, can be used by the EPA to inform and design legislative and regulatory efforts to nationally manage emissions.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Chesapeake has joined with the EPA in a voluntary program to reduce methane emissions. Established in 1993, the EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Program focuses on sharing technical ideas and methodologies for Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce methane emissions. The program promotes technology-sharing workshops between member companies, such as a May 2009 EPA Natural Gas STAR Workshop hosted by Chesapeake at our Oklahoma City headquarters. The program is also a means for industry partners to record and report methane emissions reductions to the EPA. Many of the BMPs promoted by the Natural Gas STAR Program have been integrated into Chesapeake’s daily operations.
For example, green completions, also known as reduced emissions completions, have been Chesapeake's largest contributor of emissions reductions. Green completions incorporate measures and technology to recover natural gas that would otherwise be vented or flared during the completion phase. Another BMP the company has implemented is the installation of improved process control devices at thousands of its wellsites. This effort has resulted in significant emissions reductions.
The methane emissions reductions in the graph below are total annual reductions reported by all Natural Gas STAR partners, which includes approximately 130 entities from the production, processing, transmission and distribution sections.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Gas STAR Program Accomplishments
In 2009 Chesapeake was named the Natural Gas STAR Program’s Production Partner of the Year and Andrew McCalmont, Chesapeake Manager – GHG, Power & Programs, was named Implementation Manager of the Year.