EQT Corporation (EQT), the producer of natural gas in the United States has announced the completion of a USD 28M company-wide initiative to eliminate 100% of its natural gas-powered pneumatic devices from its production operations. As a result of the initiative, EQT has reduced its methane emissions by 70%1 and reduced its annual carbon footprint by 305,614 metric tons of CO2e.
Nearly 9,000 pneumatic controllers were replaced or retrofitted on all EQT production locations and compressor stations through a “fit-for-purpose” technology strategy using primarily electric actuators and air compressor installations. As part of the initiative, EQT installed 341 air compressors and retrofitted 451 dump assemblies and 381 motor valves to electric actuators. The entire conversion process took just 515 days and was completed a full year ahead of schedule. In all, the execution of the program took nearly 23,000 man-hours.
Replacing natural gas-driven pneumatic devices, which are used for managing produced fluids in separators, scrubbers, and filters represents a meaningful opportunity for reducing methane emissions within the industry. At EQT, natural gas-powered pneumatic devices were the source of 39% of the Company’s 2021 Production segment Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
EQT has a long-standing commitment to ESG and is committed to responsibly developing its world-class assets. The Company is on track to meet its previously-announced targets to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions in its Production segment operations by or before 2025.