Back to Extractives & Minerals Processing

Audit-Ready Carbon Reporting for Midstream Oil and Gas

Track pipeline compressor station fuel, fugitive methane from pipeline leaks, LNG liquefaction energy, and storage facility emissions for midstream operations.

Book Demo Start Free Trial

The Industry Hotspot: Compressor Station Fuel and Fugitive Methane

Compressors and leaks dominate

Natural gas pipelines require compressor stations at regular intervals to maintain pressure for long-distance transport. Compressors consume natural gas fuel or electric motors generating Scope 1 emissions or Scope 2 electricity. Fugitive methane leaks from pipeline joints, valves, and seals represent another major emission source with high climate impact due to methane warming potential. LNG facilities consume substantial energy for gas liquefaction requiring refrigeration to extremely low temperatures. NetNada tracks compressor fuel consumption, pipeline leak surveys, LNG liquefaction energy, and storage tank emissions for midstream operations.

SASB Industry Definition

The Oil & Gas Midstream industry transports, stores, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and refined products through pipelines, storage terminals, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. Operations include natural gas gathering and processing, interstate pipelines, crude oil pipelines, product pipelines, marine terminals, storage tanks, and LNG export facilities. The industry generates emissions from pipeline compressor stations, fugitive methane leaks, and energy-intensive LNG liquefaction.

View SASB Standard →

Industry-Specific Carbon Accounting

No generic solutions. Metrics, data sources, and reporting aligned to Oil & Gas - Midstream operations.

Compressor Station Fuel Consumption

Gas-fired compressors consume natural gas to power compression. Electric compressors use grid electricity. Track fuel consumption by station and compressor type. Calculate emissions from combustion applying standard factors. Report emissions per unit gas throughput (cubic meter compressed). Benchmark compressor efficiency across stations to identify underperforming equipment for maintenance or upgrades.

Compressor fuel per throughput

Pipeline Fugitive Methane Quantification

Methane leaks from aging pipeline infrastructure through joints, valves, compressor seals, and meter stations. Track leak surveys using infrared cameras or mobile detection systems. Quantify leak volumes based on measured flow rates or engineering estimates. Apply methane-specific GWP for climate impact. Report total methane emissions and leak rate as percentage of throughput.

Pipeline leak rate tracked

LNG Liquefaction Energy Intensity

Liquefying natural gas requires refrigeration to extremely low temperatures consuming substantial energy. LNG facilities typically self-power using natural gas turbines generating electricity and process heat. Track total facility energy consumption and LNG throughput. Calculate energy per tonne LNG produced and corresponding emissions. Benchmark against industry averages and best-performing facilities.

LNG liquefaction intensity

Storage Tank Emissions

Crude oil and refined product storage tanks release vapors containing volatile organic compounds and methane. Tank breathing losses occur during temperature changes. Working losses occur during filling and emptying cycles. Track tank emissions using engineering calculations or vapor recovery system monitoring. Report total VOC and methane emissions from storage operations.

Storage tank emissions tracked

Pipeline Throughput and Utilization

Calculate emissions intensity per unit transported (barrel-miles for crude oil, cubic meter-kilometers for natural gas). Track pipeline capacity utilization rates. Lower utilization means higher emissions per unit throughput due to fixed compressor station energy. Model impact of throughput changes on emission intensity for capacity planning and asset optimization.

Throughput utilization modeled

SASB EM-MD Metrics Automation

Auto-generate disclosure including gross Scope 1 emissions, pipeline incidents per thousand miles, methane emissions as percentage of throughput, and community incident rate. Footnotes cite pipeline miles operated and average throughput volumes.

SASB EM-MD compliant

Product Features for Oil & Gas - Midstream

Use Carbon Data Uploader to import compressor station fuel data, pipeline leak surveys, and throughput volumes for automated midstream emissions calculation. Learn more →

The Activity Calculator applies emission factors for natural gas combustion, methane leaks, and electricity—calculating midstream infrastructure carbon intensity. Learn more →

Related Solutions

See our Carbon Accounting solution for end-to-end midstream emissions tracking from compressor stations through pipeline networks and LNG facilities.

View solution

Oil & Gas - Midstream Case Studies

How entities in this industry use NetNada to solve carbon accounting challenges.

Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline (5,000 miles, 20 compressor stations)

Challenge

EPA methane regulations required enhanced leak detection and repair programs with shorter repair timelines. Baseline methane emissions from pipeline system unknown. Needed cost-effective LDAR technology deployment strategy.

Solution

Deployed NetNada with pipeline segment tracking and leak survey integration. Implemented tiered monitoring: high-throughput segments with continuous monitoring, medium segments with quarterly surveys, low-throughput with annual surveys. Tracked leak detection, quantification, and repair completion timelines.

Result

Identified leak concentration in older pipeline segments and compressor stations. Prioritized repairs and equipment replacements for highest-emitting sources. Methane leak rate reduced substantially over three years. Met EPA regulatory requirements while optimizing monitoring costs through risk-based approach.

LNG Export Terminal (10 million tonnes per annum capacity)

Challenge

LNG buyers increasingly demanding cargo-level carbon intensity certificates for scope three reporting. Liquefaction facility emissions varied with throughput and ambient conditions. Needed standardized calculation methodology for cargo emissions certificates.

Solution

Used NetNada to track facility energy consumption, throughput volumes, and emissions by cargo. Developed methodology: total facility emissions allocated to cargoes based on LNG volume and energy content. Generated cargo-specific emissions certificates in standardized format per industry guidance.

Result

Provided carbon intensity certificates for every LNG cargo delivered. Average facility emissions per tonne LNG calculated and certified by third party. Differentiated terminal as providing transparent emissions data to buyers. Premium pricing achieved for cargoes with certified low emissions intensity versus competitors without disclosure.

SASB Disclosure Topics for Oil & Gas - Midstream

Material sustainability topics beyond emissions that investors and stakeholders expect disclosed per SASB standards.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

environment

Track Scope 1 from compressor station fuel, fugitive methane from pipelines, and LNG facility emissions. Report emissions intensity per unit throughput (barrel-miles or cubic meter-km).

Pipeline Safety and Integrity

social

Monitor pipeline incidents, spills, and leaks. Track integrity management programs, inline inspection frequency, and emergency response readiness. Report incidents per thousand pipeline miles.

Methane Leak Detection and Repair

environment

Disclose leak detection technologies deployed (infrared cameras, satellite monitoring, acoustic sensors). Report leak repair timelines and methane emission reduction achieved through LDAR programs.

Community Relations

social

Track stakeholder engagement for pipeline routing decisions. Report community investment programs and local employment in pipeline construction and operations.

Energy Transition Impact

business model

Disclose impact of declining oil demand and increasing renewable natural gas or hydrogen blending on asset utilization. Report investments in alternative energy transport infrastructure.

Water Use for Operations

environment

Monitor water consumption for hydrostatic pipeline testing and facility operations. Track wastewater discharge quality and water recycling rates.

NetNada tracks all SASB material topics, not just emissions. Our platform supports disclosure across environmental, social, governance, and business model topics relevant to your industry.

Oil & Gas - Midstream FAQs

Common questions about carbon accounting for this industry

How do midstream pipeline emissions differ from upstream and downstream oil and gas sectors?
Upstream (E&P) has emissions from well operations, drilling, and production. Midstream transports and stores oil and gas with emissions from compressor stations, pipeline leaks, and LNG liquefaction. Downstream (refining) has emissions from refinery processing and product distribution. Midstream acts as connector between production and end use. Emission intensity depends on distance transported, pipeline efficiency, and leak rates. Scope boundaries important to avoid double-counting across value chain segments.
What is the climate impact difference between crude oil and natural gas pipeline leaks?
Crude oil pipeline spills primarily environmental concern for soil and water contamination with minimal atmospheric emissions unless fire occurs. Natural gas pipeline leaks release methane directly to atmosphere with significant climate impact due to high warming potential. Even small leak rates can represent substantial climate impact. Methane detection and quantification therefore critical for gas pipelines while crude pipelines focus on spill prevention and containment.
How energy-intensive is LNG liquefaction compared to pipeline gas transport?
LNG liquefaction requires substantial energy to cool natural gas to liquid state at extremely low temperature. Energy consumption adds significantly to total value chain emissions for LNG versus pipeline gas. However, LNG enables long-distance overseas transport where pipelines not feasible. For long distances and overseas markets, LNG may have lower total emissions than alternative energy sources like coal. Emissions intensity varies by liquefaction technology and energy source with newer facilities achieving better efficiency.
Should midstream companies report downstream combustion emissions from transported fuels?
Downstream combustion by end users is Scope 3 Category 11 for midstream companies - optional to report. Midstream provides transport service, not energy production or consumption. Most midstream operators report Scope 1 and 2 only (compressor stations, facilities). Some report Scope 3 Category 11 for transparency showing full value chain impact but clarify as outside operational control. Focus reduction efforts on Scope 1 (compressor efficiency, leak reduction) where direct control exists.
Can hydrogen be transported through existing natural gas pipelines?
Pure hydrogen can potentially use existing gas infrastructure but requires pipeline material compatibility assessments. Hydrogen molecules are smaller than methane potentially increasing leak rates through seals and joints. Hydrogen embrittlement can affect certain pipeline steels. Blending small percentages hydrogen into natural gas (up to fifteen to twenty percent by volume) generally feasible with limited modifications. Higher hydrogen percentages or pure hydrogen may require dedicated pipelines or material upgrades. Midstream companies evaluating hydrogen readiness for energy transition scenarios.

Track Compressor Station Fuel and Pipeline Methane Leaks

See how midstream operators measure emissions per unit throughput, implement leak detection programs, and generate SASB-compliant disclosures—automated.

Book a Demo Start Free Trial