Pipeline Blowdown Program

Through TEP’s Pipeline Blowdown Program, operators focus on best practices and techniques to reduce emissions during the pipeline blowdown process along pipelines between compressor stations.

Reducing Emissions from Pipeline Blowdown Operations

 A pipeline blowdown is the controlled release and depressurization of natural gas or liquids from a closed pipeline or station section. Operators perform blowdowns to ensure safety before conducting routine maintenance, inspections, repairs, or emergency responses.

Participating companies implement emission reduction and minimization practices during pipeline blowdown operations, such as routing gas to a compressor or capture system for beneficial use, routing gas to low-pressure system, reducing pipeline pressure to the extent possible before blowdown, utilizing hot tapping, or other technologies or practices to reduce emissions.

MINIMIZING EMISSIONS THROUGH ACTION

2025 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

      • Emissions Reduction Practices implemented during more than 6,600 pipeline   blowdowns

2020-2025 Pipeline Blowdown Program

      • Emissions reduction practices implemented during more than 33,000 pipeline blowdowns

About The Program

Program Specific

Target

Company will determine the onshore natural gas pipelines between compressor stations within gathering and boosting, transmission and storage segments that are included in the program. Program does not apply where there is any safety concern.
Method

Company will strive to implement one or more of the emission reduction/minimization practices during pipeline blowdowns:

  • Route gas to a compressor or capture system for beneficial use, or
  • Route gas to a flare, or
  • Route gas to a low-pressure system, or
  • Reduce pipeline pressure to the extent possible before blowdown, or
  • Utilize hot tapping, or
  • Other technology or practice to reduce emissions.

Timeline

Individual company commitment