environmental

Air Quality

We monitor operational air emissions in compliance with relevant state and federal regulations. We use this data to inform the continuous improvement of our processes and procedures. Individual permits tend to require activity and emission data tracking, and, in some cases, our historical data inventories date back to 1991. Across our operations, we continue to implement new and improved technologies that lead to more efficient processes and reduce local air emissions.

Governance

Our Environmental department, led by our Director, Environmental Affairs, is responsible for the oversight and management of all aspects of our environmental footprint. This department reports to the Vice President, Environmental, Health and Safety and is ultimately guided by the Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility (PPCR) Committee of the Board of Directors as well as the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee. The Air Quality team, within the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) department, is responsible for air quality permitting, compliance and reporting. The PPCR Committee receives quarterly reports on environmental progress such as emission reports, notices of violations and obtained permits.

Permits and Monitoring

Prior to construction or operation at a new wellsite location, we may be required to obtain air quality and other operational permits. When we receive a new permit, our Operations group reviews the permit to identify any future compliance responsibilities. We communicate permit requirements to our field workers, who collect and upload data into our Work Management System. We track emissions, obligations, limits and other air quality requirements in the Environmental Management System. We review the Environmental Management System monthly and identify improved processes for tracking and inputting information. We are planning to transition to a new air emissions tracking platform in 2020 that will enable anyone at EQT to view or pull this data from a centralized location.

Electrifying Our Frac Fleet

In alignment with our unyielding focus on decreasing completion costs and improving efficiencies while minimizing environmental impact, we decided to begin electrifying our hydraulic fracturing (frac) fleet in late 2019 by using onsite natural gas to power a portion of our completions operations. Rather than relying on diesel deliveries to a wellsite to power our frac fleets, we will be able to reduce local air emissions, decrease our carbon footprint, reduce trucks on the road and capture proven operational efficiencies. We signed a long-term agreement with U.S. Well Services in April 2020 to provide electric hydraulic fracturing services. We look forward to reporting on increased efficiencies as a result of these actions.

Audits and Reporting

We utilize inspections and audits to review compliance obligations and improve our operations. Our Corporate Audit group periodically selects internal programs or processes to audit. In reviewing findings, lessons learned can be applied to similar facilities via a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle of continuous improvement.

Where required, we submit emissions reports and, in some cases, permit compliance certifications, to applicable regulatory authorities. The reporting requirements vary by state. We submit reports to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and de minimis thresholds for relevant emissions in some states.

Inspections and Benchmarking

Our compliance personnel regularly inspect work site locations to evaluate air quality compliance. They also meet with state regulators to ensure we are aligned with state air quality regulations. We participate in a network of industry and regulatory groups to stay abreast of emerging regulations. Our Environmental group also conducts internal inspections on our facilities and sites and field personnel perform periodic leak detection and repair inspections, as described in Climate and GHG Emissions.

We benchmark our air emissions against our peers to identify potential improvement areas and evaluate our primary sources of internal emissions across our operating regions. In areas of success, we consult with state regulators and share best practices.

We aim for 100% facility compliance with all permit requirements and emissions limitations, and we review any operational incidents and notices of violation. We utilize stack test data, manufacturers’ data and published emissions factors to calculate our air emissions.