Virginia Natural Gas uses new technology to reduce emissions during pipeline repair, inspection

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is employing innovative technology to reduce emissions from its natural gas pipelines when they are being repaired, inspected, or decommissioned.

When a pipeline is being decommissioned, repaired, or inspected, natural gas must first be removed from the pressurized pipe before the repair could be completed. In that process, small amounts of natural gas are vented or flared into the atmosphere.

The company, a subsidiary of the Southern Company, is using cross-compression technology to prevent that from happening. VNG is a Zero Emissions Vacuum and Compressor, or ZEVAC. It captures natural gas before it vents out during the repair or inspection process and recycles it back into the pipeline system for continued use. This results in less gas or methane entering the atmosphere.

“At VNG, our focus is on being good environmental stewards for a more sustainable future,” Robert Duvall, president of Virginia Natural Gas, said. “It’s more important than ever to make progress in sustainability efforts while contributing to nationwide and global environmental goals. The ability to capture methane before it is released with cross-compression technology will provide lasting and positive effects on our environment.”

Using the two ZEVAC machines the company has purchased, natural gas can be evacuated from one pipeline, with up to 99 percent transferred back into the pipeline system at a different location instead of being released into the atmosphere. These mobile ZEVAC units can fit in a standard truck cargo bed and are easily transported to worksites.

Already this year, VNG has saved 42 mcf of natural gas not vented into the atmosphere, the equivalent of recycling 6.9 cubic tons of waste not taken to a landfill.

“The use of cross-compression technology is helping VNG achieve our carbon reduction goals in a cost-effective and efficient way,” Duvall said. “ZEVAC is just one example of how we are using technology as part of our strategy to provide a clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy future for our customers and communities.”