Pioneering Solutions for Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Talk to our experts for the most innovative solutions that address your methane emission challenges.
The Urgent Need to Curb Methane Emissions
The energy sector’s decarbonization progress will hinge upon its ability to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among these gases, perhaps none poses a more urgent challenge than methane. Approximately 28-34 times more potent over 20 years than CO2, methane is estimated to have contributed 20% of the global temperature increase since the Industrial Revolution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Another environmental authority, the International Energy Agency (IEA), estimates that the oil and gas sector produces 40% of the world’s methane emissions each year.
Fugitive emissions, or unintentional emissions caused by leaks or defective seals, account for as much as 20% of all global methane emissions, or 5% of global GHG emissions. Because fugitive emissions are especially common in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and natural gas operations, methane abatement is also critical to accelerating decarbonization and LNG as a bridge fuel.
Beyond these environmental and energy transition implications, methane also impacts a business’ bottom line. According to the EPA, methane leaks account for around 3% to 4% of total gas production; that translates to annual potential revenue losses of up to $30 billion for the oil and gas sector. The dual climate and business impact of methane emissions has accelerated abatement technologies, which have become increasingly cost-effective with time. As we enter the next phase of the energy transition, methane reduction has become a rapid, economically viable strategy for decarbonizing the oil and gas industry.
Resources
Wet-to-Dry Gas Seal Retrofit Guide
Upgrading from wet to dry gas seals can deliver significant sustainability and reliability benefits, but it takes the right strategy to ensure your retrofit goes smoothly. Use these nine best practices to help you succeed.
Seal Gas Recovery White Paper
A cost-effective solution for curbing flaring emissions, our Seal Gas Recovery (SGR) system captures and diverts leaked seal gas so that it can serve a more productive purpose. Explore the environmental, operational and economic benefits of John Crane’s SGR system.
Methane White Paper
In the race to reduce GHG emissions, there is perhaps no challenge more urgent than methane. View our white paper now to explore market-ready solutions that curb methane emissions and enhance reliability.
Retrofit Case Study
When an NGL extraction plant in the Middle East wanted to lower emissions, operation and maintenance costs — all while increasing reliability and safety — John Crane delivered a winning solution. View the case study now to discover how our Wet-to-Dry Gas Seal Retrofit reduced the customer’s emissions by 97%.
Innovative Solutions eBook
With John Crane, the energy transition isn’t just possible; it’s already being achieved by customers around the world. Read our latest eBook to discover five innovative sealing solutions that are helping operators achieve their sustainability and operational goals.
New Energy Opportunities eBook
Whether you’re looking to decarbonize your existing operations or accelerate your new energy deployment, our eBook is filled with must-read insights to help you shape your new energy reality. Explore key risks and opportunities for energy efficiency, GHG emissions, renewable hydrogen and CCUS.
Our Approach to GHG Emissions Reduction
John Crane has been a leader in methane abatement for decades. Our advanced mechanical sealing technologies have prevented millions of tonnes of GHG and methane from being released into the atmosphere, and we’re continuing this legacy in the new energy era. We believe that the most effective route to curbing methane emissions lies in identifying the sources of emissions and providing cost-effective solutions that reduce or eliminate emissions while maximizing efficiency. We are committed to helping the oil and gas sector significantly reduce its emissions — including those from methane, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides — by leveraging this proven approach.
To support our customers’ emissions reduction goals, John Crane offers a range of emission management solutions, including products such as dry gas seal and wet-to-dry gas retrofit solutions. We pair these solutions with the same pioneering spirit and innovation that led to our invention of the first mechanical seal more than a century ago.
Emissions Detection and Quantification Technologies
There is no shortage of methane abatement solutions in today’s market. However, few address fugitive emissions, which remain a critical barrier to the oil and gas industry’s net zero progress. John Crane’s solutions enable process operators to detect, quantify and reduce methane and other greenhouse gas emissions — including often-undetected fugitive emissions. By doing so, we help energy companies meet their methane reduction goals and satisfy the latest environmental standards without sacrificing reliability or cost.
Repair and Mitigation Technologies
Proven Wet to Dry Gas Seal Retrofits
Over the last 10 years, John Crane’s wet-to-dry upgrades have helped customers reduce approximately 278,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions per year. By switching to our Wet-to-Gas (W2G) seals, customers around the globe are minimizing methane leaks and emissions while boosting the reliability of their compressors. These retrofit solutions improve a plant's efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint while significantly cutting emissions.
At John Crane, we thrive on service excellence. We help our customers through every step of the retrofit process, from conceptual studies to implementation, ensuring their transition to dry gas seals maximizes efficiency and reliability. We also specialize in optimizing pump and compressor systems, making us the trusted choice for boosting the performance and sustainability of this mission-critical equipment.
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Head Straight to our Lifecycle Cost Calculator to calculate the economic and environmental benefits of retrofitting with gas seals.
Preventing and Eliminating Emissions With Seal Gas Recovery
Centrifugal compressors equipped with tandem Dry Gas Seals (DGS) can utilize Seal Gas Recovery (SGR) to reduce emissions when there is access to high-pressure motive fluid. SGR becomes even more cost-effective when processing valuable gas. John Crane can design a customized SGR arrangement for setups involving multiple compressor trains.
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Mitigation Plans for Reducing Overall Emissions
Our Asset Management team excels at increasing asset efficiency, providing the systems and data needed to optimize maintenance, enhance safety and curb emissions. We work closely with our customers to develop mitigation plans that reduce overall emissions across a factory’s asset base while maintaining peak reliability and safety.
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Decreasing Emissions by 98% in an Oman Production Plant
A prominent exploration and production firm in Oman partnered with John Crane to reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency. By replacing conventional oil seals with advanced Type 28 dry gas seals, we helped our customer decrease its CO2 emissions by 98% and lower gas consumption by approximately 2% in the gas turbine — all while achieving higher-quality gas with lower oil removal costs.
Beyond emissions reductions, our wet-to-dry gas retrofit enhanced reliability, improved mean time between failures (MTBR) and reduced expenses for both maintenance and energy. Our customer further also benefited from educational sessions with its local operators, which equipped them to maximize the value of their dry gas seal technology.
A Global Track Record for Reducing GHG Emissions
Since John Crane pioneered the first mechanical seal, our technologies have consistently prevented gases from entering the atmosphere under some of the world’s toughest operating conditions.
A Century of Curbing Emissions
With more than 100 years of specialized expertise, we excel at preventing and fixing leaks using proven sealing technologies. Our advanced methane sealing technologies have prevented millions of tonnes of GHG and methane from being released into the atmosphere, and we’re continuing this legacy in the new energy era.
Broad Portfolio Range
Our portfolio includes technologies, services and solutions proven to reduce emissions and enhance energy efficiency. This robust offering includes gas and wet seals, systems, filtration, couplings, retrofit services and asset management solutions focused on asset integrity and reliability.
Hundreds of Facilities Globally
With more than 200 facilities worldwide, we’re fully equipped to support our customers’ emission reduction needs. We respond quickly to issues and collaborate closely to ensure the success of our emissions-reducing retrofits.
Our Commitment to Continuous Innovation
John Crane is steadfast in its commitment to helping our customers achieve their methane reduction targets. To accelerate progress, we're developing groundbreaking technologies and services, including various leak detection and repair (LDAR) tools. These complement our core solutions, such as wet to dry gas retrofits, seal gas recovery systems, valves and packing solutions. Taken together, these innovative technologies, services and solutions deliver value beyond fixing leaks — equipping our customers to achieve their sustainability goals while optimizing reliability, safety and cost.
Products and Solutions for GHG Emissions Applications
Gas Seals and Systems
Our Aura® family of seals converts wet seals to dry gas seals, stopping methane leaks in the process. The Aura Zero Emissions seal eliminates nearly all emissions from seals.
Dry Gas Seals Gas Seal Systems Gas Conditioning Units GCU Centrifugal Seal Gas Booster
Wet Seals and Systems
John Crane offers the industry's broadest range of wet seals and systems, including high-performance, low-emission petroleum seals.
Metal Bellows Seals Vessel and Agitator Seals O-Ring Pusher Seals Wet Seal Systems
Filtration
Reliable seals depend on clean, dry gas. Our specially designed filters remove liquid and particle contamination to maximize reliability and minimize emissions.
FCF Seal Gas Filtration Fuel Gas Filtration Liquid Filtration Replacement Filter Elements
Couplings
We design our power transmission couplings for high performance across various applications, including global oil and gas. These tailored technologies reduce costs, minimize downtime and decrease emissions.
Turbomachinery Couplings API Couplings General Process Industry Couplings
Asset Management
Our asset management team improves maintenance processes, increases asset efficiency and reduces leaks. We are experts at leveraging innovative systems and data to lower maintenance costs while maintaining optimal production and industry compliance.
Asset Management Solutions
John Crane Sense®
Our digital monitoring and predictive analytics solutions increase reliability and reduce operating costs for rotating equipment in the process and energy industries.
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