Onboard Dynamics

Unique, Patented Natural Gas Compression Technology for Driving Down Emissions

Latest News

The GoVAC® Max System is Headed to Alberta, Canada

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Onboard Dynamics LLC secures important funding to bring the GoVAC® MAX pipeline evacuation system to Alberta.

A GoVAC® Max System at the Onboard Dynamics Headquarters Facility

Thanks to the support of the Government of Alberta and funding by Emissions Reduction Alberta, our methane emission reduction technology will soon be available in Alberta. The GoVAC® MAX system will enable Albertan pipeline operators to capture and recover natural gas from pipelines that otherwise would be vented or flared. This system will also incorporate new advanced methods for accurately measuring and reporting on the captured and recovered natural gas.

Read the full release here>>

Why Did We Develop the GoVAC® MAX Pipeline Evacuation System?

At Onboard Dynamics, our vision is to continuously deliver innovative solutions that support mitigating and preventing emissions. We strive to fulfill that vision by supporting our customer’s environmental, social and governance needs through safe, responsible, and affordable technology.
The GoVAC® Max System is Easily Towable

When natural gas pipeline operators perform maintenance operations, upgrade pipelines, remove pipelines from service, or conduct pigging operations, the segment of pipeline being worked on must be evacuated of the natural gas prior to commencing work. Practices to remove this natural gas is to vent it, releasing methane into the atmosphere. Another common practice is flaring the natural gas, thereby releasing carbon dioxide instead of methane.

The GoVAC® MAX system is a self-contained natural gas capture and recovery system and serves as an alternative to venting and flaring. The system is built on our patented compression technology, so it runs on the natural gas in the pipeline. This reduces the emission profile to a minimum and removes the need for additional equipment and resources during natural gas capture and recovery projects. The system touts a small footprint making it easy to fit into challenging locations and is nimble enough to be pulled by a standard pickup making it highly maneuverable around a job site.

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

Enbridge Purchases the First Canadian Compliant GoVAC® FLEX System

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Canadian Compliant GoVAC® FLEX System

The first Canadian Compliant GoVAC® FLEX system, developed and manufactured by Onboard Dynamics LLC, has been delivered to Enbridge Gas Inc. in Toronto, Canada. When taking a section of their distribution system out of service, they will be able to compress the natural gas and inject it into a nearby pipeline, or transfer it into a tube trailer when there isn’t a system nearby. This will save the gas and avoid venting to atmosphere. Since methane is significantly more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2, using the GoVAC® system will offer Enbridge an efficient way to significantly reduce their emissions from day-to-day operations.

“Enbridge has been using a legacy system, but the portability of how the GoVAC® FLEX system can be pulled by a standard pickup truck and the ability to inject natural gas into systems of up to 1000 PSI will provide Enbridge much more flexibility during pipeline operations.” Said Roddi Bassermann, Manager, Energy Transition and Telemetry, Enbridge Inc. “After road licensing and vendor training, we should be using the new system by the end of the month.”

the GoVAC® FLEX system in Ontario, Canada

Over the past couple of years, a group mainly from the Engineering and Operations teams at Enbridge, has worked together to choose an appropriate vendor. This required an independent assessment of the GoVAC® FLEX system to ensure that provincial requirements were met.

Onboard Dynamics provided Enbridge with hands-on training for the safe and effective use of the GoVAC® FLEX system in the field. Operator Training included pre-towing, post-towing, setup, use, demobilization, and common fault recovery scenarios. Training was  provided at an Enbridge Gate Station.

About Enbridge Inc.

At Enbridge, we safely connect millions of people to the energy they rely on every day, fueling quality of life through our North American natural gas, oil or renewable power networks and our growing European offshore wind portfolio. We’re investing in modern energy delivery infrastructure to sustain access to secure, affordable energy and building on two decades of experience in renewable energy to advance new technologies including wind and solar power, hydrogen, renewable natural gas and carbon capture and storage. We’re committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the energy we deliver, and to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Enbridge’s common shares trade under the symbol ENB on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges. To learn more, visit us at enbridge.com.

About Onboard Dynamics LLC.

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.

Alternative Technologies to Venting and Flaring During Pipeline Blowdowns

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Onboard Dynamics CEO, Rita Hansen, Presenting at GPA Midstream
Environmental Forum, Tuesday, Sept. 19th, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Rita Hansen, CEO, Onboard Dynamics has been selected to give a presentation about alternative technologies to venting and flaring during pipeline blowdowns at the 2023 GPA Midstream Convention. The convention will be held in San Antonio, TX. From September 17th to 20th, 2023 and is an opportunity for people of all levels to come together and exchange ideas and network.  

The presentation will provide an overview of technologies and operating practices that can be implemented to safely prevent methane releases during all pipeline blowdowns, highlighting the features of technology that are most important in determining project success. The product features that will be discussed include safety, gas capture time, system set up time, and consideration of equipment physical size and how these factors all impact total time and cost.

An alternative technology to venting or flaring natural gas to be discussed will be Onboard Dynamics’ GoVAC® pipeline evacuation system. This innovative system simplifies the capture and recovery of natural gas during pipeline blowdowns. It addresses the challenges that pipeline operators face in keeping the natural gas pipeline infrastructure well-maintained while preventing methane emissions. This is especially important in a time when growing regulatory pressure will be limiting the amount of methane emissions allowed.

One of the most notable benefits of the GoVAC® technology is the environmental report generated from the instrumentation and controls designed into the products. This provides automated data capture and ensures safe and tamper-proof transmission, storage, and secure access. Accurate and validated environmental and operational reporting on key metrics are available to the operators both on site and remote.

Ms. Hansen will also provide insight into the value of having asset-grade data to generate certifiable results. The ability to provide digitized, validated evacuation reports enables companies to fulfill current and future regulations and environmental initiatives. Due to increasing regulatory oversight, it will be essential that every effort to mitigate methane release be fully documented with a trail of secure data that can be audited. Without such validation and tracking, the best mitigation efforts could become an expense without commensurate payback.

About Onboard Dynamics

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 GoVAC® pipeline evacuation systems incorporate state-of-the-art instrumentation including flow meters that measure volume of gas recovered. The control system communicates to the cloud enabling remote monitoring and real-time data collection. This technology produces detailed, auditable reports of gas recovered from every project to ensure meeting strict environmental standards. Our products have performed numerous evacuation projects during all seasons throughout the United States.

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.

About GPA Midstream

GPA Midstream was established in 1921 The GPA Midstream gas conference is in San Antonio, TX. This conference allows companies and people working Midstream in the gas industry to come together and exchange ideas and network. This convention touches all professional levels, from entry-level engineers to technical experts and CEOs. Attendees come from operating and supplier companies. The GPA Midstream draws a high number of repeat attendees because the conference covers the latest information in research and development, safe operations, environmental performance, legislative and regulatory issues, and other key industry issues, year after year. Making the conference an important date for companies within the natural gas industry.

Onboard Dynamics at the Western Regional Gas Conference

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Onboard Dynamics is going to be exhibiting at the Western Regional gas Conference. The Conference takes place in Scottsdale Arizona on August 22nd– 23rd.

Come See Our Table

Visitors and potential clients will be able to ask questions about our products and receive detailed information about how our technology and solutions can help reduce their company emissions and achieve ESG goals.

About Our Products

Our GoVAC® line of products is an alternative to venting or flaring natural gas from pipelines. Our core technology can draw down a pipeline to near 0 psig using the natural gas already in the pipeline as its source of power. The gas recovered from the pipeline can then be transferred into an adjoining pipeline or compressed up to 3600 PSIG and put into a tube trailer for transport and reinjection elsewhere or into a storage tank to be used as CNG fuel for vehicles. The GoVAC® system requires no external power making it easy to use in remote areas. Its compact size and footprint facilitate flexibility in transportation and positioning at job sites, which is perfect for residential and challenging locations.

Each GoVAC FLEX ® unit is fully equipped with state-of-the-art telemetry and instrumentation including temperature and pressure sensors, electronic valves, and flow meters that measure how much natural gas is being captured and recovered. The control system communicates up to the cloud which enables remote system monitoring and near real time data collection capabilities.  Our telemetry, instrumentation, and control system come together to provide environmental reports that contain asset grade data ensuring traceability, transparency, and compliance at scale.

The ability to have digitized reports available is a huge benefit to the pipeline operator and any associated auditing agency. Accurate and secure data reporting will become ever more important as companies seek to fulfill current and future regulations and environmental initiatives.

About the Western Regional Gas Conference

The Western Regional Gas Conference is a non-profit organization that covers Integrity management, O&M topics, and new technology for the natural gas industry. There are conferences, seminars, and numerous vendor exhibits. The WRGC aims to provide a venue for discussion of natural gas distribution and transmission topics, regulations, and issues. It provides a relaxed environment for information exchange and networking between delegates, speakers, and vendors. The venue also hosts senior PHMSA members and State Regulators, allowing operators to interact with regulatory authorities.

About Onboard Dynamics

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 GoVAC® pipeline evacuation systems incorporate state-of-the-art instrumentation including flow meters that measure volume of gas recovered. The control system communicates to the cloud enabling remote monitoring and real-time data collection. This technology produces detailed, auditable reports of gas recovered from every project to ensure meeting strict environmental standards. Our products have performed numerous evacuation projects during all seasons throughout the United States.

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.

Onboard Dynamics Exhibiting at the 2023 MEA Gas Operations Technical & Leadership Summit

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The MEA Gas operations Technical & Leadership Summit that takes place on August 16th in Cincinnati, Ohio has offered the best gas-operations training since 1923. This annual event is attended by employees at all levels of the natural gas industry. Onboard Dynamics staff will be exhibiting at booth #506 sharing information about our GoVAC® system.  

About Our GoVAC® technology

The GoVAC® FLEX system

Our GoVAC® technology is an alternative to venting or flaring natural gas from pipelines. Our core technology can draw down a pipeline to near 0 PSIG using the natural gas in the pipeline as its source of power. The recovered gas can then be transferred into an adjoining pipeline or compressed up to 3600 PSIG and put into a tube trailer for transport and reinjection elsewhere or into a storage tank to be used as CNG fuel for vehicles. Since the GoVAC® system is powered by a small portion of the natural gas being recovered, no external power is required making it easy to use in remote areas. Its compact size facilitates flexibility in transport and positioning at job sites, which is perfect for residential and challenging locations.

An operator inspects a GoVAC® FLEX unit on site.

Our automated system is fully equipped with state-of-the-art telemetry and instrumentation including temperature and pressure sensors, electronic valves, and flow meters that measure how much natural gas is being captured and recovered. The control system communicates up to the cloud which enables remote system monitoring and near real-time data collection capabilities.

Our GoVAC® system provides environmental reports that contain asset-grade data ensuring traceability, transparency, and compliance at scale.

This ability is a huge benefit to not only the pipeline operator, but to any associated auditing agency. Accurate and secure data reporting will become ever more important as companies seek to fulfill current and future regulations and environmental initiatives.

Stop by Booth #506

Visitors to our exhibit will be able to ask questions about our technology and receive in-depth information about how our products and solutions can help them meet their company ESG goals.

About The 2023 MEA Gas Operations Technical & Leadership Summit

The MEA is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Gas Operations & Leadership Summit. The event takes place in Cincinnati, OH and is attended by people of all backgrounds and levels within gas operations. The summit is going to have 2 keynote presentations and more than 600 utilities, contractors, and vendor partners present. Within the summit there are numerous breakout rooms for technical and hands on learning sessions.

About MEA Energy Association

The MEA is a trade association that serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. The association was founded 115 years ago by distribution utilities whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, the MEA fulfills the same purpose through education, leadership development, and industry connections. The MEA provides numerous benefits to companies in the energy industry through mediating numerous summits, roundtables, webinars, online courses, and much more. This allows industry to adopt safer and more efficient practices.

Onboard Dynamics Exhibiting at The Global Energy Show

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The Global Energy Show is North America’s leading energy event. Onboard Dynamics will be exhibiting the GoVAC® FLEX system at booth #1677 Exhibit Hall B-E in the Decarbonization Zone. The Conference and Exhibition will take place on June 13th-15th in Calgary, Canada.

The Onboard Dynamics team exhibiting a GoVAC®FLEX system.

About the GoVAC FLEX® System

The GoVAC® FLEX system is an innovative tool for preventing methane emissions during pipeline operations. The core technology can draw down a pipeline to near 0 psig using the natural gas in the pipeline as its source of power. The recovered gas can then be transferred into an adjoining pipeline or compressed up to 3600 psig and put into a tube trailer for transport and reinjection elsewhere or into a storage tank to be used as CNG fuel for vehicles. Since the GoVAC® system is powered by a small portion of the natural gas being recovered, no external power is required making it easy to use in remote areas. Its compact size facilitates flexibility in transport and positioning at job sites, which is perfect for residential and challenging locations.

The automated system is fully equipped with state-of-the-art telemetry and instrumentation including temperature and pressure sensors, electronic valves, and flow meters that measure how much natural gas is being captured and recovered. The control system communicates up to the cloud which enables remote system monitoring and near real-time data collection capabilities. Operators receive environmental reports that contain accurate and verified project results with the option of being third-party certified.

About CHZERO

CHZero Emissions performs pipeline evacuation services across the natural gas network. This company focuses on eliminating CO2 emissions wherever pipeline maintenance is performed. Using innovative Near-Zero Emissions Cross-Compression services (CCaS) that conserve ~100% of natural gas that would be vented or flared into the atmosphere otherwise. CHZero is a partner of Onboard Dynamics, using the GoVAC® FLEX platform to ensure that methane emissions are mitigated during pipeline blowdowns.  

About the Global Energy Show

The Global Energy Show is North America’s largest Business to business (B2B) exhibition and conference. The conference is inclusive of all energy systems including oil sands, hydrogen, wind, solar, petrochemicals, gas and LNG, electrification and nuclear. The event connects a wide array of energy verticals, bringing together the North American energy industry at all levels. The event allows companies to meet with energy industry experts and get networking opportunities. Guests can engage with investors, industry buyers, sellers, CEOs, and local communities all while staying under one roof.  The Global Energy Show features a comprehensive exhibition floor with over 600 exhibitors across five exhibition halls and an outdoor zone.