Noble Energy, Inc. has unveiled plans to develop and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility alongside its Keota natural gas processing plant in the rural northern Weld County of Colorado, USA.
The initiative underscores Noble Energy’s ongoing commitment to mitigating emissions and enhancing environmental stewardship by harnessing the potential of clean-burning natural gas as a fuel source. By displacing higher-polluting diesel, the LNG plant aims to contribute to improved air quality in the region while leveraging locally produced natural gas to power various operational activities.
Ted Brown, Senior Vice President of Noble Energy’s Northern Region, emphasized the company’s dedication to advancing environmental performance through innovative solutions like the LNG facility. Brown highlighted the role of natural gas in reducing emissions and enhancing sustainability across Noble Energy’s operations.
Noble Energy has actively supported local initiatives promoting natural gas as a transportation fuel, including co-funding the Weld County Smart Energy Plan. This initiative facilitated the construction of public compressed natural gas (CNG) stations and provided CNG school buses to Weld County schools. Furthermore, the company has initiated the conversion of its truck fleet in the DJ Basin to CNG vehicles.
The LNG facility, a pioneering venture in Colorado, is designed to produce up to 100,000 gallons of LNG daily. Noble Energy intends to utilize LNG from the facility to fuel its rigs and heavy equipment in the DJ Basin operations while also making LNG production available to other industry players in the area.
The transition from diesel to LNG is expected to yield substantial reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, with projections indicating environmental benefits equivalent to removing 100,000 cars from the road.
Audubon Engineering has been contracted by Noble Energy to undertake the front-end engineering and design work for the $45 million LNG facility. The company anticipates the Keota natural gas processing plant to commence operations by mid-2014, with the LNG facility following suit shortly thereafter.
