Preserving Air Quality, Reducing Emissions
Chesapeake’s operations can produce emissions from both venting and combustion of fuels used. As a result, our emissions profile is a mix of GHGs and conventional air pollutants.
Complying with Regulatory Requirements
Chesapeake’s robust air program has regulatory compliance at its foundation. We utilize an electronic compliance management system that allows task tracking, report generation and emissions calculations to facilitate compliance with state and federal requirements, as well as integration with maintenance tasks and inspections with field employees.
2022 Emissions Inventory
| Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) | Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) | Sulfur Oxide (SOX) | Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | |
| Corporate Headquarters (OKC) | 0.35 | 5.88 | 0.13 | 0.09 |
| Marcellus | 372 | 1,416 | 4 | 78 |
| Haynesville | 160 | 1,197 | 375 | 37 |
We monitor and assess the magnitude of these emissions, which are reported to the EPA and state regulatory agencies. Chesapeake manages compliance through our comprehensive air quality management program, which also works to reduce site emissions and pollutants through voluntary initiatives.
An Integrated Approach to Managing and Reducing Air Emissions
Compliance
Abide by all applicable state and federal environmental requirements
Monitoring and Maintenance
Use leak detection monitoring techniques for comprehensive emissions identification, repair and prevention
Engineering Design and Innovation
Increase efficiency and reduce emissions through capital investment, technology adoption and innovative facility design
Emissions Reporting
Work with third-party organizations to develop and implement an increasingly integrated and holistic emissions monitoring, verification and reconciliation program (in addition to EPA and state validation programs)
Started in 2022, our carbon accounting modernization project is working to enhance processes and functionality to our already robust method for calculating annual GHG emissions per the EPA GHG Reporting Program. This project will be a continued evolution for how we evaluate and report our emissions, including offering more accurate and frequent GHG emissions data.
Monitoring and Managing Emissions
Chesapeake utilizes a variety of on-site and remote continuous detection and emissions monitoring technologies which provide consistent surveillance of our operations. While many of these programs focus on detecting and reducing GHG emissions, they have residual effects in reducing other emissions or pollutants within the same operations.
Emissions Detection Methods
Fixed Monitoring
- Continuous methane detection, 2,000+ devices
- React quickly to stop emissions: aim to locate source of emission within 24 hours
Aerial and Satellite Flyovers
- Biannual flyover of all facilities with additional flyovers as part of AMI
- Ongoing satellite monitoring
Optical Gas Imaging (OGI)
- Quarterly (Marcellus) and at least annual inspections (Haynesville − semi-annual for applicable EPA regulated facilities)
- Nearly 4,000 inspections conducted in 2022 with 17 certified inspectors and 17 OGI cameras.
Audio, Visual, Olfactory (AVO)
- Weekly (Marcellus)
- Monthly (Haynesville)
Emissions Management Program
Directing and Managing Maintenance
Chesapeake has deployed more than 2,000 stand-alone real-time methane detection devices across our operations. When these monitors detect a potential leak, we respond within 24 hours. A lease operator performs an on-site visit, identifies the leak and usually repairs it on the spot. If the leak can’t be identified or repaired by a lease operator, we bring in a technician with an OGI camera for leak detection and repair.
We initiate and manage maintenance activities through our Enterprise Asset Management software application. This program allows for the centralized management of equipment and asset data and offers a standardized work order system. Creating such consistency across our operating areas increases accountability for maintenance activities and provides data for trend analysis and preventive improvements to our sites.
