Ch4 Connections 10 year anniversary logo

CHARTING A PATH TO SUCCESS BY 2030

October 4-5, 2023
Colorado State University's Lory Student Center | Fort Collins, Colorado

CH4 Connections Conference 2023 Agenda (All times subject to change. Please check back for updates.)

Charting a Path to Success by 2030

National focus has escalated around characterizing and managing methane emissions. Better measurement of methane emissions is an essential first step but CH4 Connections will highlight the importance of measurement data being understandable and usable by the operators that are going to have to mitigate those emissions. The conference will focus on how to effectively decarbonize our energy systems and the role of methane emission mitigation in these efforts.

Pre-Conference (One day before CH4 Connections Conference)

Tuesday October 3, 2023 9:00-4:00pm MT (with lunch)

MEET Training Workshop (Additional Cost)
Location: Powerhouse Energy Campus classroom, 420 N. College Ave, Ft Collins, CO

CSU will hold a training workshop for the Methane Emissions Estimation Toolkit (MEET), an emissions simulation tool for oil and gas facilities. MEET utilizes mechanistic simulation methods to develop realistic, time-varying, emissions behavior for common facility processes in upstream and midstream sectors.

MEET results are useful for understanding the performance of leak detection and quantification (LDAQ) methods, emission mitigation interventions, and leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs. MEET also provides simulated emissions for a wide range of sensing or emissions mitigation studies.

Target Audience:

Course will provide a fundamental understanding of time-series modeling of emissions – methods, inputs, and results. Course will not cover the detailed mechanics of running MEET and analyzing MEET results.

  • Engineers, scientists, or technical supervisors. Examples:
    • O&G Industry: Staff working on LDAR programs, emissions mitigation, or regulatory reporting.
    • Regulators or environmental NGOs: Understanding basin- or facility-scale emissions causes, accuracy, and variability for advanced modeling or emission surveys.

Training Format:

  • Training is split across two half days. Students are encouraged to bring laptop computers to follow along with course materials.

Outline:

  • Introduction to mechanistic modeling
    • Comparison of inventory and mechanistic models, including inputs and outputs
    • Developing mechanistic models from physical modeling and facility design
    • Practical limitations of mechanistic modeling
  • Modeling of routine emissions and non-routine failure modes
  • Typical input data required for facility modeling
    • Equipment types and interconnections
    • Gas compositions
  • Analysis of MEET outputs for common topics, with examples such as:
    • Simulation of sampling surveys
    • Emissions change after applying a mitigation measure
    • Use of speciated emission compositions

 

Pre-Conference (Morning before CH4 Connections Conference)

Wednesday October 4, 2023 8:00 – 11:00am MT

Veritas: A GTI Energy Methane Emissions Measurement and Verification Initiative (Additional Cost)
Location: North Ballroom (third floor, on other side of building from the large ballroom that the conference will be held in) – Lory Student Center, Colorado State University
8:00 – 8:05 AMWelcome Remarks
Erin Blanton, Vice President, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy
8:05 – 8:30 AMVeritas Reception by Industry, Associations, and Regulatory Agencies
Amanda Harmon, Senior Manager, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy
8:30 – 9:15 AMPanel - 2023 Testing Findings and Learnings
Moderator: Matt Harrison, Senior Principal - Air Quality, SLR International Corporation
  • Teresa A. Buckingham, Manager, EHSQ & Air Quality, Seneca Resources Company, LLC
  • Beth Milligan, P.E., Sustainability and Environment, Seneca Resources Company, LLC
  • Jim Kibler, Executive Director, ONE Future Coalition
  • Jarrod Bullen, Principal Engineer, Zero Emissions Systems Team, GTI Energy
9:15 – 9:30 AMBREAK
9:30 – 9:45 AMUncertainty Guidance and Sample Planning
Zachary Weller, Institute Scientist, Digital Innovation, GTI Energy
9:45 – 10:00 AMReport Template and Example Reports
Zachary Weller, Institute Scientist, Digital Innovation, GTI Energy
10:00 – 10:30 AMFireside Chat- Assurance Training and Pilot
  • Jessica Shumlich, CEO, Highwood Emissions Management
  • Ed Newton, Gas Engineering Programs Manager, Southern California Gas Company
10:30 – 10:45 AMOGMP2.0 and Veritas
Thomas Fox, President, Highwood Emissions Management
10:45 – 11:00 AMVeritas Leadership Team Address
  • Erin Blanton, Managing Advisor - Veritas
  • Amanda Harmon, Executive Director - Veritas
  • Srijana Rai, Technical Director - Veritas
  • Natalia Gielczowski, Program Administrator - Veritas

Conference Day 1: Wednesday October 4, 2023 (all times in U.S. Mountain Time Zone)
Location: Lory Student Center, Colorado State University

Additional speakers to be announced.
7:00 AM – 5:30 PMRegistration and Information Desk
11:30 AM – NoonLunch, Networking, and Exhibits
Noon – 12:10 PMOpening Remarks:
  • Erin Blanton, Vice President, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy
  • Bryan Willson, Executive Director, Energy Institute, Colorado State University
SECTION 1 – THE NEW REGULATORY LANDSCAPE
12:10 – 12:40 PMFireside chat
Moderator: Bryan Willson, Executive Director, Energy Institute, Colorado State University
12:40 – 1:30 PMPanel Session #1: Federal Regulation and MMRV Frameworks
Moderator: Hon Xing Wong, Program Manager, Zero Emissions Systems Team, GTI Energy
  • Panelist #1: Tom Curry, Director of Policy and Analysis, Office of Resource Sustainability, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
  • Panelist #2: Megan Hays, Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Investment & Engagement, Kimmeridge
  • Panelist #3: Lesley Feldman, Research and Analysis Manager, Methane Pollution Prevention, Research and Analysis Manager, Methane Pollution Prevention, Clean Air Task Force
1:30 – 1:50 PMBREAK, NETWORKING, EXHIBITS
1:50 – 2:20 PMKeynote #1: Reducing Methane Emissions: Ambition in Action
Paula A. Gant PhD, President & CEO, GTI Energy
2:20 – 3:10 PMPanel Session #2: Sponsor Showcase Rapid-Fire Session
3:10 – 3:30 PMBREAK, NETWORKING, EXHIBITS
SECTION 2 – OVERCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL BARRIERS
3:30 – 4:20 PMPanel Session #3: Diversity of Technology Solutions
Moderator: Jarrod Bullen, Principal Engineer, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy
  • Panelist #1: Jared Ciferno, Program Manager, Methane Mitigation Technologies, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
  • Panelist #2: Thomas Fox, President, Highwood Emissions
  • Panelist #3: Cristina Lopez Lazaro, Methane Emissions and Renewable Gases Process Research Engineer, RICE (GRTgaz)
4:20 – 4:30 PMGold Sponsor Technical Presentation
4:30 – 5:20 PMPanel Session #4: Operationalizing Multiple Technology Solutions Together
Moderator: Zachary Weller, Institute Scientist, Digital Innovation, GTI Energy
  • Panelist #1: Rick Trieste, Department Manager Research, Development & Demonstration at Consolidated Edison Company of New York
  • Panelist #2: Felipe Saldana, Exxon Mobil
  • Panelist #3: Marie-France Bénassy, HSE Research Program Manager, TotalEnergies
5:20 – 5:30 PMGold Sponsor Technical Presentation
5:30 – 7:00 PMNETWORKING RECEPTION and EXHIBITS
6:30 – 8:30 PMSpeaker/Sponsor Dinner

Conference Day 2: Thursday October 5, 2023 (U.S. Mountain Time Zone)
Location: Lory Student Center, Colorado State University

Additional speakers to be announced.
7:30 AM – 4:00 PMRegistration and Information Desk, Exhibits remain until conference adjourned
7:30 – 8:30 AMDOE BREAKFAST MEETING - Federal Methane Emission Awards (IM4)
Opening Remarks: Amanda Harmon, Senior Manager, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy
  • Discussion lead #1: David Ebert, Associate Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Director, Data Institute for Societal Challenges, hGallogly Chair Professor of ECE and CS, University of Oklahoma
  • Discussion lead #2: Dan Zimmerle, Director, Methane Emissions Program / METEC; Director, Remote and Distributed Energy Center (RADEC), Energy Institute | Colorado State University
7:30 – 8:30 AMBreakfast served to participants not attending DOE breakfast meeting
8:30 – 8:40 AMOpening Remarks:
  • Erin Blanton, Vice President, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy
  • Bryan Willson, Executive Director, Energy Institute, Colorado State University
8:40 – 9:10 AMKeynote #2: Hydrogen Emissions and Learnings from Methane Emissions and Technologies
Michael Webber, Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources, Mechanical Engineering, UT Austin (with Q&A)
Moderator: Kristine Wiley, Vice President, Low Carbon Energy Solutions, GTI Energy
9:10 – 10:00 AMPanel Session #5: “Methane Technology Applications to Hydrogen Emissions”
Moderator: Dr. Chris Moore, Program Manager, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy
  • Panelist #1: Ruishu F. Wright, Research Scientist / Technical Portfolio Lead at National Energy Technology Laboratory, U.S. DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)
  • Panelist #2: Jin Zhang, Senior Engineer, H2 Blending Team, SoCal Gas
10:00 – 10:10 AMGold Sponsor Technical Presentation
10:10 – 10:30 AMBREAK, NETWORKING, EXHIBITS
SECTION 3 – MEASUREMENT TO MITIGATION
10:30 – 11:20 AMPanel Session #6: Energy Justice and CH4
Moderator: Joe von Fischer, Professor, Department of Biology, Colorado State University
  • Panelist #1: Cynthia Medina, Environmental Justice Analyst, Community Benefits, Low Carbon Energy Solutions, GTI Energy
  • Panelist #2: Stefanie Rucker, Manager, Office of Innovations in Planning & Air Quality Data, State of Colorado
  • Panelist #3: Stephanie Malin, Assoc Professor, Colorado State University
11:20 AM – NoonPanel Session #7: REMEDY (Reducing Emissions of Methane Every Day of the Year)
Jack Lewnard, Program Director, ARPA-E (overview of program)
Noon – 12:10 PMGold Sponsor Technical Presentation
12:10 – 1:10 PMLUNCH for all participants
1:10 – 2:00 PMPanel Session #8: Global Perspective on Methane Emissions
Moderator: James Taff Clay, Associate Engineer, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy
  • Panelist #1: Brian Redick, Associate, Climate Investment
  • Panelist #2: Heather Carmichael, Director, Strategic Climate Policy, Government of Alberta
  • Panelist #3: Bob Kleinberg, Senior Research Scholar, Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy
2:00 – 2:10 PMGold Sponsor Technical Presentation
2:10 – 3:00 PMPanel Session #9: Mitigating CH4 Emissions in Other Sectors
Moderator: Dan Zimmerle, Director, Methane Emissions Program / METEC; Director, Remote and Distributed Energy Center (RADEC), Energy Institute | Colorado State University
  • Panelist #1: Marina Slijepcevic, Scientist, Zero Emissions Systems, GTI Energy (SAF and Landfills)
  • Panelist #2: Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Director of AgNext, Colorado State University, CSU AgNext
3:00 – 3:20 PMBREAK, NETWORKING AND EXHIBITS
3:20 – 4:20 PMPanel Session #10: Sponsor Showcase Rapid-Fire Session
4:20 – 4:30 PMWRAP UP
4:30 PMADJOURN & EXHIBITORS TEAR DOWN
4:30 PMMETEC Tour

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