This Technology Could Reduce Flaring Pollution In The Permian Basin

A couple of weeks ago, we told you about flaring in the Permian Basin – and how all that natural gas going to waste could hypothetically produce enough energy to power ever home in Texas.

That left some listeners wondering: can’t something be done about all this wasted gas?

Now, a Houston based company says they’re working on it. Oilfield services company Baker Hughes says that they’ll be debuting new technology to use excess natural gas produced from drilling to power equipment.

“(The technology) this natural gas thats produced as a byproduct out in the oilfield and use it to generate electricity,” says Sergio Chapa, energy reporter for the Houston Chronicle. “It’s just using a simple turbine that takes natural gas as a source and makes it electricity, and you can use that electricity to power drilling equipment, hydraulic fracturing equipment, all types of useful things out in the field.”

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– Why it would make a difference in drilling operations

– How it benefits the companies

– Why the use of this technology could become more widespread