New Technology Helps Reduce Methane Emissions at Compressor Station

First tested in the maritime industry, this cost-effective technology was first used on land – and first to be used in the energy sector – at the Antioch compressor station in Oklahoma.

“In the Capital Ventures group, we say, ‘Always take the 30-minute call with someone,’” said John Schwarck, vice president, corporate development – capital ventures. “You never know what’s going to happen.”

One such call in late 2023 led to the deployment of Daphne Technology at one of our Oklahoma assets about a year later. The innovative technology helps economically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in difficult-to-abate sectors, such as the energy industry – and, more specifically, natural gas-powered compressor stations.

“It shows the art of the possible,” said Schwarck, whose team brought the opportunity to the Environmental, Safety and Health Operations team in early 2024. By spring, conversations expanded to explore the technology’s potential impact on methane slip – an environmental challenge of natural gas-powered engines. Its successful implementation could assist ONEOK in reaching its total 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.

Daphne Technology was successfully piloted in the maritime sector before being tested at ONEOK’s Antioch station in the fall of 2024. It’s use at the Antioch station is not only a first on land but a first for both ONEOK and the energy sector. Moreover, if the technology continues to prove successful, it could be rolled out to other assets, Schwarck said.

“With natural gas-powered engines, there’s a certain amount of methane that’s not combusted and, therefore, it slips through the engine and is emitted as exhaust,” explained Andy Coverdell, director, operations in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Engines can be built different ways, of course, but until now, we had no way to abate emissions at the exhaust stage,” Coverdell continued. “This technology destroys methane in the exhaust stream, benefiting both emissions reduction goals and compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act.”

Daphne Technology’s trademarked SlipPure process converts low-concentration methane to carbon dioxide and water with no impact on engine reliability. Moreover, it’s designed for use within standard operational parameters of compressors, so it can be retrofitted or added to new builds.

The project’s success was driven bycross-functional teamwork. “The Daphne team moved quickly to send equipment, and we didn’t have major hurdles,” said Jaya Richardson, engineer in Tulsa. Minor challenges – such as metric conversions – were overcome collaboratively. “Everyone jumped in to help make this project happen,” she said.

“From engineering to project management to construction coordinators, moving this forward was a team effort,” said Taylor Coleman, manager, project engineering in Calumet, Oklahoma. Adding that the project brought fresh energy to their work, Coleman said, “This was a great opportunity to accomplish something transformative outside the normal day-to-day projects. It was something a little experimental that got people fired up and drove innovation.”

Coleman was “the glue,” Schwarck said, holding the teams together.

Schwarck also emphasized the role of ONEOK’s Core Values in the project’s success. “With these ideas and opportunities, everyone has a unique perspective on what has or hasn’t worked in the past and what could work now,” Schwarck said. “This project shows that when we embrace our Core Values and listen with curious ears, together, we can drive meaningful change.”

“Everyone in the field has embraced it,” Richardson said. “They want to see the outcome. There’s a lot of curiosity.”

“It’s all about staying curious and true to our core,” Schwarck said.