Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on Monday

Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK) plans to release its fourth quarter 2024 results on February 18, 2025 after the market closes and host its quarterly conference call at 10:00 a.m. CT on February 19, 2025 to discuss the fourth quarter results.  

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hale Yayuh yesterday

On pg. 19 it says their methane emissions decreased 97% since 2021. They were committed! Anyone know any general tidbits on how this is achieved once they identify the leaks? Dig up leaking pipes and reconnect, wrap pipe leaks, superior wellhead valves and production facility connections? Just wondering what it might entail. I don't know if any production personnel are on this site.

However they did it, that's impressive.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant yesterday

Hale, without some specifics I would be suspicious about the accuracy of the claim.  Did CRK have methane monitoring equipment at all their wells, gathering systems, treatment and compression facilities?

The easiest and cost effective measures to reduce methane emissions involve detecting the leaks then doing relatively simple things.  Replacing pneumatic valves.  See the link below. Replacing or fixing fittings through out the transport system.  These are the least costly improvements that basically recover the cost by saving mcfs for sale.

https://www.eqt.com/responsibility/pneumatic-device-replacement

https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/sites/static/files/2016-06/do...

The 97% claim sounds far above what those changes would achieve. All super major and major E&P companies have been instituting theses types of improvements for some years.  The pace hasn't been urgent and there has been no compelling regulation with monitoring and enforcement to incentivize hast.  The industry has claimed much lower levels of fugitive methane emissions than was the case.  Improvements in methane monitoring has shown emissions to be much, much higher which is playing a part in companies addressing the problem - and bragging about it.  Better late than never I guess.

The problem of high methane emissions has not seen much improvement for smaller, independent operators which account for a significant volume of emissions from older wells.

• ▶ Reply