Project Overview
Approved for funding through ERA’s Methane Challenge in 2017, Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) partnered with Alberta-based Atlantis Labs to develop and demonstrate a small-scale, enclosed incinerator, targeted at eliminating methane from industrial sites that would otherwise be vented. By completion in 2023, the project evaluated how well the PureJet incinerator integrates with existing infrastructure while reducing methane emissions from routine operations.
Transformative Solution to Address Methane Venting
Methane is recognized as a potent greenhouse gas, and traditionally, oil and gas operations have vented methane directly into the atmosphere. With increasing regulatory pressure and the implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms, the energy sector faces an urgent need to adopt more effective methane mitigation strategies, demanding reliable alternatives to venting. Addressing this need, the PureJet incinerator introduces an advanced waste gas treatment using jet engine propulsion technology. The PureJet system captures methane at its source and combusts it at 99.2% efficiency, converting nearly all methane into water vapour and carbon dioxide (CO2). This process significantly reduces the environmental impact of methane releases and helps operators manage compliance costs. PureJet technology is portable and scalable; its ability to handle a wide range of pressures and flow rates makes it suitable for use across exploration, production, distribution, refining, and storage within the energy industry. The PureJet PJ8 incinerator offers a practical alternative to venting by efficiently capturing and combusting methane, while also eliminating criteria air contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide. Notably, the system operates without consuming water and can be integrated into existing well sites without causing further land disturbance.
Seamless Integration into Existing Infrastructure
The project deployed and tested the PureJet PJ8 incinerator at an operational wellsite near Brooks, Alberta. Results demonstrated that the system achieved near-complete methane destruction without requiring modification to existing wellsite infrastructure. The technology’s proven compatibility with current wellsite setups lowers implementation barriers and capital requirements, making the technology practical for widespread adoption. Adoption of the PureJet PJ8 technology assists oil and gas companies in complying with Alberta’s carbon tax credit frameworks, reducing financial penalties associated with methane emissions. Testing confirms the system’s potential to deliver environmental and economic benefits. As adoption expands, the system will support regulatory compliance, improve operational efficiency, and establish a validated approach for methane reduction across the oil and gas industry.
What’s next?
The next phase of the project will focus on further performance and cost optimization, expansion, and commercialization. Immediate steps will expand testing to additional well sites to validate performance under different operating conditions and enhance system automation. Atlantis is planning commercial deployment for 2026, with improved monitoring capabilities and data analytics for emissions tracking.
Going forward, anticipating broader industry adoption supported by securing regulatory approvals, expanding manufacturing capacity, and establishing partnerships with major oil and gas operators. Partnerships with technology integrators and adopters will also play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of this high-efficiency methane destruction system. The recently announced Federal/Provincial MOU can be expected to support the broader deployment of methane mitigation technologies to meet regulatory targets.