Methane Emissions Symposium

September 19-20, 2023 | Online :: Central Time

0923-methane-emissions

“Great conference. Very beneficial insight in preparing to fuel the future.”- Product Manager, Picarro

“It is rare to get regulators, gas companies, and solutions providers into one forum to coordinate what, why, and cost questions that impact everyone facing ESG challenges. EUCI Methane Symposium is that forum and does a great job of giving a deeper dive with more detailed presentations than typical high-level overviews.” – President, TPE Midstream

The U.S. natural gas pipeline network consists of millions of miles of mainlines. It is a critical component of the energy infrastructure. Compared to other fossil fuels, natural gas is relatively clean. However, methane itself is a potent greenhouse gas when released into the atmosphere.

Understanding the causes and impacts of methane leaks and exploring methods for detecting and mitigating these leaks gives companies actionable opportunities to address climate-related concerns and ensure a sustainable environmental future while boosting operational efficiency. 

EUCI’s Pipeline Methane Emissions Symposium gathers experts and stakeholders to address growing concerns over the impact of methane emissions.  Researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders will discuss scientific developments, policy initiatives and regulatory frameworks that support mitigating methane emissions. The symposium covers a range of topics related to LDAR, including technologies for measuring and monitoring emissions, and best practices for reducing emissions in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and waste management. Day One will cover all the nuances of new regulatory compliances, and Day Two will focus on technological and software innovations in the field.    

Register now for this unique opportunity to get regulatory updates and address new technologies in leak detection to further mitigate the threat fugitive emissions pose to the environment. 

Learning Outcomes

• Review EPA regulations and compliances and PHMSA 2023 Advance Leak Regulation Program
• Assess the Veritas Standard and voluntary initiatives like gas certification
• Review regulatory standpoints on gas leak abatement programs
• Examine a case study on successful methane abatement implementation
• Examine five elements of an LDAR program, based on upstream and downstream operations
• Review regiments for identifying, inventorying, maintaining, and monitoring components to LDAR requirements and the best processes for record keeping and compliance
• Distinguish between different leak detection technologies and compare software to quantify methane leaks
• Appraise best practices for identifying, inventorying, maintaining, and monitoring regulated components and equipment
• Compare essential technological solutions in connection with methane emissions
• Evaluate a comparative analysis of methane emissions & implications for mitigation from a national perspective

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 : Central Time

 

9:00– 10:00 a.m. :: Regulations and Compliance

The EPA is proposing to update, strengthen and expand its November 2021 proposal to reduce emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from both new and existing oil and gas operations. In this session we will detail the current regulatory landscape and upcoming regulations and initiatives.

• OOOOb/c
• Recent NPRM: Super – Emitter Program, LDAR, well unloading, Compressor Stations
• SIP/FIP: Actions and Notices

Michael Rabbani, Director, Standards and Certification, MiQ

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. :: California’s Natural Gas Leak Abatement Program

Regulators face a number of challenges when implementing methane emission reduction programs. Despite these challenges, large Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) in California are on track to achieve the state’s goals to reduce methane emissions by 40% by 2030. This presentation will provide a brief overview of California’s Natural Gas Leak Abatement program, as well as how approaches to these challenges have evolved over time. It will detail how the state has transitioned to a more accurate method of estimating emissions, as well as discuss questions of how to balance the benefits of emission reduction activities with their costs.

Gary Ermann, Utilities Engineer, Safety Policy Division, California Public Utilities Commission

11:00 – 11:15 a.m. :: Morning Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. :: Case Study: PG&E’s Methane Abatement Processes

Historically, methane emission assessments have been based on Emission Factors defined through empirical observations on limited data samples. PG&E has progressively evolved towards a measurement-based assessment of its distribution system to optimize, implement and characterize its abatement methods. In this session PG&E will present lessons learned along this 5-year transition.

Stephen Ramos, GHG Emission Strategies, Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Andres Beltran, GHG Emission Strategies, Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Francois Rongere, Senior Director, Solution Architect, Climate and Safety, Picarro

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. :: Lunch Break

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. :: Case Study: Methane Emission Reduction Program & Equipment to Address Blowdowns

Blowdown occurs when pressure needs to be released from equipment or pipelines for maintenance, safety, or operational reasons, resulting in the release of ethane-rich gas. To address the issue of emissions from blowdowns, many organizations have implemented reduction programs. This session will detail programs aimed to minimize methane leaks and releases by employing advanced equipment and implementing best practices in the industry.  One critical aspect of these programs is the deployment of specialized equipment designed to capture, control, and mitigate methane emissions during blowdown events.

Doug Sahm, CTO, ZEVAC

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. :: Afternoon Break

2:45 – 3:45 p.m. :: Case Study: Fugitive Emissions

Consolidated Edison will present a case study on I plan to high emission gas leak survey program which utilizes Advanced Leak Detection to locate leaks that have an emissions rate of >10scfh which are then put on an escalated repair schedule. This case study will discuss the company’s monthly leak survey program where they survey our entire gas system every month.

Robert Tremberger, Section Manager, Consolidated Edison

Vineet Aggarwal, Director of Engineering and Quality, Heath Consultants

3:45 – 4:45 p.m. :: Panel Discussion: Challenges & Opportunities

This panel will bring together experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to explore the critical issues surrounding methane emissions and potential solutions for mitigating them. This discussion fosters knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovative thinking in addressing pressing challenges of methane abatements. During the panel, participants will engage in a dynamic conversation about the challenges, technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, industry practices and the importance of private and public sectors collaboration.

Moderator:

Doug Sahm, CTO, ZEVAC

Panelists:

Michael Rabbani, Director, Standards and Certification, MiQ

Gary Ermann, Utilities Engineer, Safety Policy Division, California Public Utilities Commission

Stephen Ramos, GHG Emission Strategies, Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Andres Beltran, GHG Emission Strategies, Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Ryan Stewart, VP of Sales, Bridger Photonics

Robert Tremberger, Section Manager, Consolidated Edison

4:45 – 5:00 p.m. :: Q&A and Open Discussion

 

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 : Central Time

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. :: Holistic Methane Reduction Programs: Everything Everywhere All at Once

This session covers evolving regulatory measures, such as the proposal by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), voluntary initiatives such as gas certification and the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0.

Accurate methane quantification is paramount in tracking emission reductions effectively and optimizing emissions management programs. Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) simulation and emission abatement roadmapping are essential tools in developing effective methane reduction strategies. Key topics include:

• Advanced Leak Detection Programs in the May 2023 PHMSA proposal
• Pipelines and voluntary initiatives like gas certification and OGMP 2.0
• Methane quantification and the Veritas Standard
• Streamlining EPA and PHMSA methane compliance obligations
• LDAR simulation and emission reduction roadmapping

Molly Reyes, Director of Market Development, Highwoods Emissions Management

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. :: Case Study: Consumers Energy Company Methane Reduction Journey

This presentation will provide an overview of the company’s successes and challenges in reducing methane emissions, including the strategies and technologies currently being employed, and a look ahead to our plans for the future.

Amy Kapuga, PE, Principal Environmental Engineer, Consumers Energy

10:30 – 10:45 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. :: Use of Aerial Technologies to Develop and Track Emission Management Programs

The limitations of traditional ground-crew based approaches for detecting oil and gas sector methane emissions, along with the concurrent desire of operators to more efficiently and effectively detect and reduce their emissions has led to the development of advanced methane detection technologies. This session will describe how data generated by aerially deployed advanced methane detection technologies can aid in developing effective emissions management programs. We’ll discuss the different available methods and use cases such as prioritizing mitigation efforts, utilizing equipment identification to uncover systematic issues, and creating a long-term methane emissions reduction strategy.

Ryan Stewart, VP of Sales, Bridger Photonics

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Q&A Session

• Vineet Aggarwal, Director of Engineering and Quality, Heath Consultants

• Andres Beltran, GHG Emission Strategies, Pacific Gas & Electric Company

• Gary Ermann, Utilities Engineer, Safety Policy Division, California Public Utilities Commission

• Amy Kapuga, PE, Principal Environmental Engineer, Consumers Energy

• Michael Rabbani, Director, Standards and Certification, MiQ

• Stephen Ramos, GHG Emission Strategies, Pacific Gas & Electric Company

• Molly Reyes, Director of Market Development, Highwoods Emissions Management

• Francois Rongere, Senior Director , Solution Architect, Climate and Safety, Picarro

• Doug Sahm, CTO, Zevac

• Ryan Stewart, VP of Sales, Bridger Photonics

• Robert Tremberger, Section Manager, Consolidated Edison

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: After November 30 you will not be able to join a Teams meeting using Internet Explorer 11. Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Methane Emissions Symposium

September 19-20, 2023 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before August 18, 2023 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must Log in for the entirety of the conference to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

PowerPoint (or likewise) presentations will be used by every speaker, open discussion, Q&A sessions. The speakers will present their case studies, analyzing the most recent updated in regulatory, tech and leadership fields.

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.9 CEUs for this event

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Conference CPE Credits: 11.0
There is no prerequisite for this Conference.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

• Natural Gas Utilities
• Natural Gas Producers
• Natural Gas Distributors
• Engineers
• Operations and Maintenance Personnel
• Pipeline Companies
• Environmental Scientists and Researchers
• Energy Consultants
• Renewable Natural Gas Companies
• Gas Industry Associations and Organizations