Natural Gas
Natural gas is a fuel of fossil origin, formed by the mixture of light hydrocarbons that remain in the gaseous state under the ambient conditions of temperature and pressure, among which methane (CH4) stands out. As it is extracted from deposits, natural gas is a colourless, odourless product, free of sulphur. It is lighter than air and its combustion is complete – it releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor. Natural gas has a specific density lower than that of air, which facilitates its dispersion in the atmosphere in the event of a leak and reduces the risk of accidents.
All of Compagas’ natural gas distribution is carried out through underground networks, built in accordance with the safety standards in effect, which guarantee greater safety in the use of the fuel.
Compagas
Compagas, Companhia Paranaense de Gás, is a mixed-capital company, controlled by Copel and responsible for the distribution of piped gas in Paraná, serving customers in the residential, commercial, industrial and vehicular segments. Over the years, it has focused its actions on expanding the natural gas network, making investments to carry out large-scale works with the aim of increasingly increasing its service capacity and bringing this energy to more regions and municipalities in the State.
On July 10, 2024, Copel completed the divestment of its 51% stake in Companhia Paranaense de Gás (Compagas) in 2024, putting all of its shares up for sale.
Gas Leakage
In Compagas, the Gas Leakage Rate is calculated by the ratio between the volume emitted to the atmosphere in fugitive leaks in connections, routine operations (preventive or corrective maintenance), new connections to customers (purges), and volume leaked in network ruptures, and the total volume of gas distributed in the year.
The volume of gas emitted in 2024 was 398,658 m³, related to operation and maintenance services, including emergencies, all of which were purged (venting).
The total volume of natural gas sold, in 2024, was 264,576,652 m³.
(m3) | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
Fugitive emissions | 149,913 | 173,537 | 398,658 |
Breaking emissions | – | – | 3,786 |
Technical emissions | – | – | 1,001 |
Total emissions |
|
| 403,445 |
Natural gas sold | 347,830,720 | 354,156,761 | 264,576,652 |
In 2024, there was a change in the methodology for estimating leaks, to the API (American Petroleum Institute) standard – Compendium of Greenhouse Emissions Methodologies For The Oil and Gas Industry, 2021.
The Company also maintains constant contact with the water/sewage concessionaire and with the contractors that operate underground, next to the Compagas network. This work of reducing ruptures has had expressive results, with Compagas being a benchmark in Brazil among piped gas distribution companies, with the lowest accident frequency rate per kilometer of gas network.
All the welds of the steel pipes are rigorously inspected in accordance with ANSI (American National Standard Institute) B 31.8 or ABNT NBR nº 12712 (Brazil).
It is worth emphasizing that the values mentioned do not include the differences in volumes measured by the supplier and by Compagas.
The gas leakage rates in the last years were:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| 0.041% | 0.039% | 0.043% | 0.049% | 0.152% |
