PROGRAM VALUE
Implementing Best Practices During Manual Liquid Unloading Operations
Natural gas wells can accumulate liquid that impedes gas flow. These gas wells often need to remove or “unload” the accumulated liquids so that gas production is not inhibited. Manual liquids unloading temporarily diverts the flow of natural gas from the well to an atmospheric vent to allow liquids to rise to the surface without assistance by automated equipment. Careful monitoring of these operations can minimize methane and VOC emissions released into the atmosphere. Through the Manual Liquids Unloading Program, participants commit to monitoring the manual unloading process on-site or in close proximity and close all wellhead vents to the atmosphere as soon as practicable.
The Manual Liquids Unloading Program was at the forefront of emission reduction actions when TEP formed. As the action became more routine practice within industry operations and was incorporated into EPA rulemakings as a workable solutions to reduce emissions, TEP elected to sunset the practice as a performance program and reported program metrics following its 2024 Annual Report. We continue to support members in reducing emissions from this source through the sharing of best practices and learnings within workshops and workgroup discussions.
PROGRAM PROGRESS
Reducing Emissions Through Voluntary Action
Between 2018 and 2023, TEP participants implemented monitoring best practices on more than 308,000 manual liquid unloading events to ensure that wellhead vents are closed to the atmosphere as soon as possible.
PROGRAM SPECIFICS
About the Program
|
Program Specific |
|
|
Target |
Existing onshore gas well sites that conduct manual liquids unloading operations. |
|
Method |
Operators commit to monitoring the manual unloading process and close all wellhead vents to atmosphere. Method does not apply to following operations:
|