Responsible environmental stewardship is a core value at SWN. We believe natural gas is an essential part of a lower-carbon energy future, and we are well-positioned to help deliver this future through responsible energy development.
Our operations are informed by the best current science and industry practices and guided by a commitment to be a model operator in environmental stewardship. Our comprehensive environmental management system helps to ensure that we operate consistently and at a high level across our operating regions. We maintain positive and productive relationships with federal and state regulatory agencies, and it is our practice to conform our operations to the spirit – not just the letter – of all environmental rules and regulations.
Air
In 2019, we reduced our methane leak/loss rate to 0.055 percent. SWN achieved and surpassed the voluntary ONE Future methane leak/loss goal for our sector of 0.36 percent six years ago, thanks to our early leadership in methane reduction.
Water
SWN has a comprehensive approach to protecting critical water resources. In 2019, for the fourth year in a row, we met our industry-first goal to maintain “Fresh Water Neutral” operations by replenishing every gallon of fresh water we use through conservation projects and treatment technologies that return beneficial fresh water to the environment.
Land
SWN’s goal is to minimize surface impacts, prevent spills, reduce waste and protect biodiversity. In 2019, SWN voluntarily plugged two orphaned hydrocarbon wells drilled by other operators in Pennsylvania in an effort to support and assist the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Climate Change and Scenario Analysis
Our low-cost resource base means SWN is well-positioned to prosper under multiple 2°C scenarios. Our leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions enhances our ability to comply with new policies and practices, and our capital discipline prevents us from investing in assets that are unlikely to recover their costs.
Key Metrics
11.9 billion
gallons of fresh water delivered to the environment through conservation projects since 2014, including 2.9 billion gallons of beneficial fresh water to the environment in 2019 alone
135%
of produced water in Northeast Appalachia was recycled1
0.055%
methane leak/loss rate for 2019
100%
of our operational facilities surveyed for potential methane leaks in 2019
100%
of our compressor stations surveyed for potential methane leaks in 2019
99%
of identified methane leaks were repaired2
- More than 100% of produced water was recycled in the NE Appalachia Division due to other operators recycling SWN’s water and SWN recycling produced water from other operators.
- All methane leaks are ultimately repaired. However, less than 1 percent of leaks in 2019 were identified for delayed repair in accordance with regulation to prevent excess emissions as a result of immediate repair.