Pioneer Energy has been awarded $27 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to advance its Emission Control Treater™ (ECT), a technology aimed at reducing emissions in oil production while increasing crude yield by 5-10%.
The ECT is a closed system that eliminates routine flaring and atmospheric storage tanks, improving crude separation and minimizing flash gas. Its cloud-connected automation allows for remote monitoring and control, reducing onsite manpower and costs.
The DOE funding supports four projects:
- Commercial Scale Turnkey Facility: A $10 million grant to scale the ECT to 2,500 barrels per day, with trials scheduled in partnership with Bayswater Exploration & Production and Prairie Operating set for late 2025.
- Zero-Emission Processing for Sour Crude: A $6 million award to adapt the ECT for sour crude oil, demonstrated alongside Bayswater Exploration and Production to achieve low sulfur concentrations.
- Drop-In Solutions for Marginal Wells: A $5 million grant to develop smaller ECT systems for less productive wells, tested over 12 months with Diversified Energy Company PLC in East Texas.
- Methanol Synthesis from Flare Gas: A $6 million grant for converting flare gas into methanol in collaboration with Emvolon, Inc., to be demonstrated in Texas’ Eagle Ford region.
Third-party assessments by the Colorado School of Mines and Montrose Environmental Group will evaluate the projects’ effectiveness in reducing flaring and methane emissions. CEO Eyal Aronoff expressed optimism that these grants would help commercialize their zero-emission technology while enhancing oil revenues.