(Owensboro, KY – Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc) – As Southern Star continues its journey to reach net zero emissions by 2050, the company is proud to announce a partnership with Houston-based Cooper Machinery to evaluate the potential of hydrogen blended fuels powering its reciprocating compression systems.

Cooper Machinery is well-known in the natural gas sector as a leading manufacturer, parts and service provider for industrial engines and compressors. For decades, Southern Star has utilized several Cooper units to deliver safe, reliable and efficient natural gas transportation and storage services on its pipeline system.

“We are excited to partner with Cooper Machinery for this innovative hydrogen blending pilot program. Their technical expertise and support will help us maximize the potential use of hydrogen blends on our system. The success of this venture will give a baseline of future opportunities for hydrogen for all stakeholders in the energy industry,” said Jimmy Staton, Southern Star President & CEO. 

“Cooper has been working on green environmental technology for some time and recently launched an official hydrogen initiative,” said John Sargent, CEO of Cooper Machinery Services.  “We are excited to partner with a forward-leaning and visionary organization like Southern Star who understands the necessity of our industry to reduce its overall carbon footprint. Cooper began offering ‘clean’ technology on our engine-compressors in the 1970’s, and we have converted thousands of engines to some degree of green technology over the years including many to the 0.5 Grams of NoX level.  Our Cooper engines can run on up to 10% hydrogen with minimal modifications.”

The pilot program will be limited solely to the fueling of compressor engines on Southern Star’s system. At this time, it will not include blending hydrogen into the natural gas it transports to its customers.

Southern Star is the first American natural gas transmission company to explore the utilization of hydrogen as a component in its fuel in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

Media Contact:

Karen Goedde Director, Communications and Public Relations karen.goedde@southernstar.com (270) 852-4495

About Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.

Southern Star is a leading transporter of natural gas to America’s heartland, with approximately 5,800 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline in the Midwest and Mid-Continent regions of the United States. Our pipeline system, facilities and employees are located in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and Texas, with our headquarters in Owensboro, KY.

About Cooper Machinery Services
Cooper Machinery Services (Cooper) is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and supplier of parts and after-sale services, and emissions reduction technologies to a large installed base of highly respected engine-compressor brands. The company’s OEM brands include AJAX, Cooper-Bessemer, CSI, Enterprise, Gemini, Superior, TSI, and TXC. They also are a major supplier of after-sale support for non-Cooper engine-compressor brands such as Clark, CAT (3600 engines), IR, Waukesha (VHP engines), and Worthington. Manufacturing is conducted in its facilities in Houston, Texas, Deer Park, Texas, Salina, Kansas and McPherson, Kansas, while on-site services are delivered through its extensive network of field technicians operating out of fully equipped repair and overhaul shops strategically located around the world.