reducing methane emissions is personal for colorado man

Having grown up near Colorado’s DJ Basin, Zach Yearous considers the state home—and that’s a term he doesn’t take lightly.

“I feel personally responsible for taking care of it,” he said. “I want to make sure it’s clean, in good order and running efficiently.”

Yearous channels his passion for protecting the environment into his work with Chevron, where he’s tasked with identifying ways of reducing methane emissions. His efforts are part of a larger team effort to mitigate these emissions.

Yearous knows that no person can solve the challenge of mitigating methane emissions alone. When he identifies a potential solution, he brings it to a team of similarly dedicated coworkers to help execute.

Recently, he helped identify a new way to prevent methane from escaping into the atmosphere when workers are dealing with wells that contain too much liquid.

The issue: When fluid builds up in a well, it prevents the well from producing. Traditionally, the remedy has involved emptying the well to reestablish flows.

Yearous and his team found a solution involving a compressor that pulls liquids through faster and prevents buildups, eliminating the need for workers to open the well—which would allow methane to be released.

“When we actually get something across the line that keeps those methane molecules in the pipe, that’s fantastic,” Yearous said. “That’s what drives us to a better tomorrow.”

Solutions such as the portable low-pressure well compressor are helping companies like Chevron advance their methane reduction strategies.

Methane accounts for 12% of human-made U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. It accounts for 16% worldwide.

Yearous’ efforts are in line with the many ways Chevron is working to reduce methane emissions and help achieve a lower carbon future. Other work includes:

• Detecting emissions by satellites, airplanes, drones and other devices.
• Having a find-and-fix strategy.

Recognizing that he can’t do it alone, Yearous is passionate about educating others on the importance of mitigating methane emissions.

“We have enormous horsepower when it comes to collective problem-solving and getting complicated projects across the finish line,” Yearous said. “Teamwork is where real change comes from.”

Learn more about Chevron’s methane emissions reduction efforts in the company’s most recent Corporate Sustainability Report.