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TransCanada's GTN and North Baja systems, and Tuscarora Gas Transmission are all in the business of transporting methane over long distances on behalf of customers. We perform a vital service – in fact, 20 per cent of all the energy used in Oregon (as a single example) is derived from methane (the primary constituent of natural gas).
The product TransCanada GTN System transports is more than 90 per cent methane, and that methane is considered a greenhouse gas. It is inevitable that some of that gas will find its way into the atmosphere due to tiny leaks – called “fugitive emissions” – in our pipeline systems.
Earlier this year, TransCanada made a significant investment in a comprehensive baseline study of fugitive emissions (leaks) at our GTN facilities in the U.S. West Region. The survey looked at 13 compressor stations, 11 meter sets (including Stanfield and Malin) and 12 mainline valve sites.
The study was quite an undertaking. More than 100,000 individual components were surveyed. Of that number, 1,100 – just over 1 per cent -- were identified as leaking measurable quantities of natural gas.
So what do we do about the leaks?
In the coming months, the data from the baseline survey will be reviewed in order to prioritize GTN’s leak management program. The good news is that we have determined that managing just 20 per cent of the leaks will reduce methane emissions by as much 80 per cent.
"This process allows us to identify and evaluate cost-effective reduction opportunities," says Stan Barry, environmental coordinator for GTN and North Baja. "And the result should be dramatic reductions in fugitive emissions."
For more information on the study, contact Stan Barry at 509.533.2841 ext. 32841 or Ross Parker at 503.833.4001.
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