Onboard Dynamics

Unique, Patented Natural Gas Compression Technology for Driving Down Emissions

Jason Vosburgh

Innovation in Action: How the GoVAC® System Is Transforming Pipeline Operations

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At Onboard Dynamics, we believe that innovation should do more than solve problems—it should reshape how industries think about reducing emissions while increasing efficiency. That’s exactly what the GoVAC® Pipeline Evacuation System is doing for the natural gas sector.

Recently, ZENRG Services became the latest company to embrace our innovative technology, acquiring multiple GoVAC® Systems to expand their emissions-free pipeline operations. But this story isn’t just about a purchase—it’s about a smarter, cleaner way to work.

We designed the GoVAC® System to support the natural gas industry during pipeline maintenance operations.

What Makes the GoVAC® System Different?

Many pipeline evacuation methods often rely on additional equipment and personnel to get the job done. These practices are costly and inefficient. The GoVAC® System improves pipeline evacuation projects with these key benefits:

  • Self-Powered Operation
    No diesel. No electricity. No external fuel. The system runs on the natural gas it evacuates—making it fully self-sustaining.
  • Compact and Mobile
    Designed for field efficiency, the GoVAC® is a fully integrated, easy-to-deploy system that requires no additional equipment.
  • Hazardous Area Compliant
    Built to operate safely near pipelines without the need for external generators or compressors.
  • Real-Time Reporting
    Operators get accurate environmental and operational data through an intuitive control system.
  • Safety Through Monitoring
    Remote monitoring allows for real-time oversight and communications from anywhere.

“We designed the GoVAC® System to support the natural gas industry during pipeline maintenance operations,” said Mitch Schmidtke, CEO of Onboard Dynamics. “Its ability to operate independently, safely, and with real-time data reporting makes it a powerful tool for companies like ZENRG that are leading the charge in natural gas pipeline service operations.”

A Smart Move by ZENRG Services

ZENRG’s choice to adopt the GoVAC® System is part of a larger trend in the natural gas industry—a shift toward using portable, easy-to-deploy technologies that are designed to reduce methane emissions without sacrificing safety or efficiency in the field.

“At ZENRG, we’re committed to practical, scalable solutions that reduce emissions and improve efficiency for our customers,” said Joe Chandler, CEO of ZENRG Services. “The GoVAC® System is a great new tool in our toolbox to meet our customers’ demands—it’s safe, smart, efficient, and ready to scale with our operations.”

The GoVAC® System is part of a larger trend in the natural gas industry—a shift toward using portable, easy-to-deploy technologies that are designed to reduce methane emissions without sacrificing safety or efficiency in the field.

Advancing Cleaner Energy For Our Environment

As project efficiency and sustainability becomes imperative to natural gas owners and operators, the GoVAC® System offers the path towards innovation. It’s not just a tool—it’s a transformation in how pipeline evacuation can and should be done.

Onboard Dynamics is proud to see the GoVAC® System in action with ZENRG Services and excited to continue driving innovation that makes a real-world impact.

New Partnership Between Onboard Dynamics and T.D. Williamson Aims to Reduce Pipeline Emissions Across Eastern Hemisphere

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BEND, OR – 06/05/2025 –Onboard Dynamics LLC (“Onboard Dynamics”), a leading developer of pipeline evacuation technology, has entered into a strategic partnership with T.D. Williamson (“TDW”), a global provider of pipeline services and equipment. This collaboration will enable TDW to represent, market, and sell Onboard Dynamics’ products and services directly to customers across the Eastern Hemisphere through its own network of channel partners.

New Partnership Between Onboard Dynamics and T.D. Williamson Aims to Reduce Pipeline Emissions Across Eastern Hemisphere

The partnership spans a broad and strategically important region—including Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, India, and the Asia-Pacific—where the demand for sustainable pipeline solutions is rapidly growing. Together, the companies aim to support regional efforts to reduce carbon emissions by minimizing methane releases during pipeline evacuation operations.

“This partnership with Onboard Dynamics brings cutting-edge pipeline evacuation technology to our customers outside of North America,” said Laurent Fabry, Sr Director Sales Operations Europe Caspian & Africa at T.D. Williamson. “It enhances our ability to support clients in reducing emissions during natural gas pipeline maintenance, aligning with our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and service excellence.”

Mitch Schmidtke, CEO of Onboard Dynamics, added: “The importance of this strategic partnership with TDW cannot be overstated. It validates the strength of our technology and significantly accelerates our global reach. Together, we are equipping the natural gas pipeline industry in the Eastern Hemisphere with the tools needed to meet both operational and environmental goals.”

The GoVAC FLEX performing natural gas capture and recovery of fugitive emissions in Europe.

By combining TDW’s renowned quality service and technical expertise with Onboard Dynamics’ emissions-reducing technology, the partnership delivers comprehensive pipeline integrity and emissions management solutions.

About Onboard Dynamics LLC

Onboard Dynamics supports the natural gas ecosystem in reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions safely and reliably through innovative and practical commercial solutions.

Founded in 2013, the goal of Onboard Dynamics is to support the natural gas ecosystem in reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions safely and reliably through innovative and practical commercial solutions. Our compression-based systems minimize methane and other GHG releases during pipeline operations and maintenance. Learn more at: www.onboarddynamics.com.

About T.D. Williamson

T.D. Williamson (TDW) draws upon more than 100 years of industry expertise and experience to help operators of pressurized pipeline systems keep the world’s energy lifelines running safely and reliably. TDW delivers an unmatched, patented portfolio of technology, products and services for the life of a pipeline including pigging, hot tapping and isolation, integrity assessment and repair to support operators in protecting the environment and moving toward a more sustainable energy future.  Find out more at www.tdwilliamson.com

Read the official release on BusinessWire

Onboard Dynamics Welcomes Marcelino Oreja Arburúa to Board of Directors

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Bend, OR — [May 21st, 2025] — Onboard Dynamics LLC (“Onboard Dynamics”), a leader in innovative GHG emission reduction solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marcelino Oreja Arburúa to its Board of Directors. Marcelino brings a wealth of global leadership experience in the energy sector, with a strong focus on innovation, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Marcelino Oreja Arburúa joins the Board of Directors

Marcelino served as Chief Executive Officer of Enagás, a global energy infrastructure company, for almost a decade. Under his leadership, Enagás expanded its international footprint and advanced its commitment to sustainable energy solutions. He currently serves as a board member and investor in several forward-thinking energy projects across Europe and beyond.

“I firmly believe that energy is the driving force of the world,” said Marcelino. “Addressing climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our generation, and I’m excited to support Onboard Dynamics in its mission to develop innovative technologies that contribute to a safer, more sustainable energy future.”

Throughout his career, Marcelino has led transformational initiatives, built high-performing teams, and guided strategic growth in both competitive and regulated markets. His expertise spans business consulting, strategic planning, change management, and energy investments.

“We are honored to welcome Marcelino to our board,” said Mitch Schmidtke, CEO of Onboard Dynamics. “His global perspective and deep industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to scale our impact and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy through strategic leadership and innovation.”

Marcelino’s appointment reflects Onboard Dynamics’ commitment to Advancing Cleaner Energy for Our Environment.

About Onboard Dynamics LLC
Founded in 2013, the goal of Onboard Dynamics is to support the natural gas ecosystem in reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions safely and reliably through our innovative and practical commercial solutions. Our patented compression-based systems minimize methane and other GHG releases during pipeline operations and maintenance, mitigate GHG emissions from transportation vehicles, and capture methane that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere from other industrial operations. Our customers receive expanded environmental benefits and reduction in costs through purchasing, leasing, and/or receiving turn-key services from our natural gas-powered products. For more information, visit www.onboarddynamics.com or follow Onboard Dynamics on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/onboard-dynamics-llc/

Onboard Dynamics and ZENRG Announce Strategic Partnership to Service Pipeline Operation Projects

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BEND, OR – Onboard Dynamics LLC (“Onboard Dynamics”), a developer and manufacturer of pipeline evacuation equipment, and ZENRG Services, Inc. (“ZENRG”) have entered into a service partnership agreement.

Onboard Dynamics and ZENRG Announce Strategic Partnership to Service Pipeline Operation Projects
The Onboard Dynamics and ZENRG Services Teams in front of a GoVAC® MAX System at the 2025 AGA Exhibition

Onboard Dynamics, known for its innovative GoVAC® Pipeline Evacuation System, specializes in developing innovative solutions for capturing and recovering natural gas during pipeline maintenance and operations. This system is designed to safely prevent methane emissions during pipeline evacuation activities and serves as an alternative to venting or flaring gas. The GoVAC® System operates without the need for external power sources, utilizing the natural gas it evacuates from the pipeline.

The partnership between Onboard Dynamics and ZENRG aims to combine their expertise to offer comprehensive solutions for pipeline evacuation and emission reduction. By integrating Onboard Dynamics’ pipeline evacuation products with ZENRG’s emission reduction service expertise, the collaboration seeks to enhance operational efficiency, environmental compliance, and safety in the oil and gas sector.

“The partnership with Onboard Dynamics will offer us a competitive advantage to our customers,” said Joe Chandler, ZENRG CEO. “This collaboration will enable us to offer efficient solutions for natural gas pipeline evacuation projects, ensuring our commitment to our customers’ needs.”

“Onboard Dynamics is excited to enter this strategic partnership with ZENRG,” said Mitch Schmidtke, Onboard Dynamics CEO. “This collaboration not only reaffirms the strength and innovation of our technology but also highlights our commitment to meeting the evolving demands of the market. By joining forces with ZENRG, we are poised to deliver enhanced solutions that address the critical needs of the natural gas pipeline industry. Together, we will drive forward advancements in pipeline evacuation and emission reduction, ensuring that ZENRG’s customers benefit from the most efficient and environmentally responsible technologies available.”

This strategic partnership is expected to drive innovation and provide companies with advanced tools to avoid venting or flaring of natural gas and meet their environmental goals while maintaining operational excellence. Both companies are committed to supporting the industry’s transition to more sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions.

About Onboard Dynamics

Founded in 2013, the goal of Onboard Dynamics is to support the natural gas ecosystem in reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions safely and reliably through our innovative and practical commercial solutions. Our patented compression-based systems minimize methane and other GHG releases during pipeline operations and maintenance, mitigate GHG emissions from transportation vehicles, and capture methane that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere from other industrial operations. Our customers receive expanded environmental benefits and reduction in costs through purchasing, leasing, and/or receiving turn-key services from our natural gas-powered products. For more information, visit www.onboarddynamics.com or follow Onboard Dynamics on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/onboard-dynamics-llc/

About ZENRG Services, Inc.

ZENRG is disrupting the traditional, historically acceptable methods of venting and flaring used across the entire value chain of the oil and gas industry to retain gas and liquid hydrocarbons. A new era of emission standards, social expectations, and investor mandates are driving growth in operations at ZENRG as customers seek solutions to reduce emissions in a safer more environmentally friendly manner. Through patented processes, ZENRG transfers gas and liquids to nearby vessels and pipelines, retaining the product’s value instead of releasing it to the atmosphere and reducing emissions. In many cases, ZENRG provides an economically positive ROI while helping customers to achieve their corporate emissions reduction goals. For more information visit www.zenrgservices.com.

Onboard Dynamics to Exhibit the GoVAC® MAX System at the 2025 AGA Operations Exhibition

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Onboard Dynamics is excited to announce its participation in the 2025 AGA Operations Conference & Biennial Exhibition, held from May 4th to May 8th, 2025, in Aurora, CO. You can find us at booth #1423.

2025 Exhibition

The 2025 exhibition will be held in conjunction with the conference, attracting approximately 250 domestic and international vendors. The exhibition will occupy over 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, including large islands.

About the GoVAC® MAX System

The GoVAC MAX System is designed, developed and manufactured by Onboard Dynamics

Onboard Dynamics will be showcasing our innovative GoVAC® MAX System on the show floor. The GoVAC® MAX system is a self-contained natural gas capture and recovery system that serves as an alternative to venting and flaring. Built on our patented compression technology, the system runs on the natural gas in the pipeline, minimizing the emission profile and eliminating the need for additional equipment and resources during natural gas capture and recovery projects. Its small footprint allows it to fit into challenging locations, and it is nimble enough to be pulled by a standard pickup, making it highly maneuverable around job sites.

The GoVAC MAX System performing cross compression in the field.

Key Features:

  • Safe and simple to operate
  • Easy to set up and deploy
  • Self-contained
  • Automated data capture
  • Remote monitoring and reporting
  • No external power required

The GoVAC® MAX system offers automated data capture, remote monitoring, and ensures safe and tamper-proof transmission, data storage, and secure access. Operators can access accurate and validated environmental and operational reporting on key metrics both on-site and remotely, with the option for third-party certification. This digitized evacuation capability enables pipeline operators to meet current and future regulations and environmental initiatives.

Our knowledgeable staff will be present at the booth to answer any questions and provide detailed information about our products and services. Additionally, the GoVAC® MAX system utilizes advanced cross compression techniques to enhance efficiency and performance, making it a standout solution in the industry.

About the AGA Operations Conference

The annual AGA Operations Conference is the natural gas industry’s premier gathering of natural gas utility and transmission company operations management from across North America and the world. It is a forum for sharing technical knowledge, ideas, and practices to promote the safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of natural gas to the end-user. The Operations Conference is AGA’s largest event, regularly attracting more than 900 operations management professionals, including 100 speakers and over 120 technical presentations covering a wide range of topics such as gas measurement, operations advocacy, safety, environment, storage, engineering, construction and maintenance, gas control, supplemental gas, corrosion control, and piping materials.

Use Case: Adding a Valve During a Pipeline Intervention in Belgium

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Adding a Valve During a Pipeline Intervention

Onstream Pipeline Solutions (OPS) successfully utilized Onboard Dynamics’ (OBD) GoVAC® FLEX System to perform pipeline maintenance on a distribution line operated by a major Belgian network company. This use-case highlights the process of adding a valve during a pipeline intervention, showcasing OPS’s expertise in maintaining pipeline integrity and efficiency. This was a live project performed for demonstration purposes.

Onboard Dynamics environmental impact report
The Environmental Impact Report for This Project

Key Details

  • The pipeline owner and operator: A major Belgian network company, active in all Flemish cities and municipalities with approximately 5800 colleagues. 
  • OPS Technicians: Execute the valve installation.
  • OBD Technician: Performs the pipeline evacuation.
  • Location: Knokke-Heist, Belgium
  • Date: October 22, 2024
  • Pipeline Length: 300 meters
  • Pipeline Diameter: 10 inches
  • Total Natural Gas Evacuated: 3,257.65 SCF
  • Net Natural Gas Recovered: 1.64 MT CO2e

Process

Jeramy Cummings, the Operations Manager at Onboard Dynamics, shown here training OPS technicians to operate the GoVAC® FLEX System.
Jeramy Cummings, the Operations Manager at Onboard Dynamics, shown here training OPS technicians to operate the GoVAC® FLEX System.
  • Preparation: The operations team reviews the plan.
  • Evacuation: The pipeline is safely evacuated using the GoVAC® FLEX System, ensuring no residual gas remains.
  • Valve Installation: The OPS technician installs the valve, adhering to operational safety guidelines.
  • Re-pressurization: The pipeline is carefully re-pressurized, restoring operational capacity.
  • Documentation: The gas recovery process is documented by the system and provides metrics for the project for current and future reference.

Benefits

  • Efficiency: The GoVAC® FLEX System streamlines the process of evacuating natural gas from the pipeline, minimizing downtime.
  • Safety: The GoVAC® FLEX System is equipped with remote operations monitoring and communications.
  • Environmental Impact: The GoVAC® FLEX System prevents methane releases to the atmosphere contributing to reduced emissions and effective gas management during pipeline operations.
The GoVAC® FLEX System can operate in tight-fitting locations easily and quietly.
The GoVAC® FLEX System can operate in tight-fitting locations easily and quietly.

Conclusion

Successfully using the GoVAC® FLEX System to prevent methane releases into the atmosphere during pipeline evacuation demonstrates the owner and operator’s commitment to a sustainable energy infrastructure. It also exemplifies OPS’s technological leadership and commitment to customer-focused solutions in pipeline management.

With certified technicians and a fleet of well-maintained equipment, OPS continues to set the standard for operational excellence in the industry.