When engineer Tyler King began researching methane reduction in late 2020, he saw an opportunity to tackle a problem of continuous, low-flow, low-pressure leaks in remote sites with limited utility power.
“There were no products on the market at that time that really fit Williams’ asset needs to solve the problem at hand,” King recalled. “I saw an opportunity to create something new and innovative with my knowledge of the equipment and how it works.”
His curiosity and drive led to the creation of the Energy Exchange Compressor (E2C), a compact device that uses existing line pressure to push “escaped” gas back into the system.
“The idea behind E2C came about in the most natural way possible. I’ve always had an innovative mindset. It’s just how I’m wired,” King said.
He worked closely with his manager to sharpen the problem statement and economics, iterating in his own time with calculations and models.
“He told me, ‘I like it, but I need you to refine the idea, the need and the economics behind it so we can pitch it properly.’”
From there, the team has moved fast, with a patent pending on the device and a prototype built and soon to be field tested.
“E2C works as a two-stage compressor that takes high-pressure gas and vents it to a lower pressure to take advantage of the energy,” King said. “It allows for recompression of fugitive gases back into the process piping without the need for electricity or utility air.”
How E2C works:
- Problem: Continuous, low‑flow, low‑pressure methane vents at remote sites; limited or no utility power
- Design: Two‑stage, self‑powered compressor driven by existing line pressure
- Function: Recaptures low‑pressure fugitive gas and recompresses it back into process piping
- Why it’s different: No grid power or utility air required, compact footprint, targeted for hard‑to‑reach emission sources
- Modeled impact: ~2,000 mt CO₂e/yr per unit ≈ 5M+ gas‑car miles avoided (per compressor)
The impact could be significant. The E2C unit, when installed on a single compressor, should reduce emissions by 2,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year, which is comparable to over 5 million miles driven by a gasoline car.
King said he hopes to showcase the power of innovation at Williams.
“Williams’ supportive culture fosters creativity and innovation,” he said. “The variety of challenges, camaraderie and the ability to make a difference in operations are what motivate me in my job.
“I’ve been with the company for eight years and Williams is a great place to work because it allows me to be innovative and bring new ideas to the table.”
Why it matters for Williams: Efforts like E2C complement our enterprise focus on lowering methane intensity and advancing practical innovations that support clean, affordable and reliable energy.
About the innovator: Tyler King is a Business Transformation Specialist Sr based in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State.
Learn more about working at Williams on our Careers site.