TULSA, Okla., Dec 08, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
ONEOK Partners, L.P. (NYSE: OKS) announced today that it was honored as the "Natural Gas STAR Gathering and Processing Partner of the Year" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its significant efforts to positively address environmental issues through voluntary implementation of emission reduction opportunities.
ONEOK Partners received this award in part for its abilities to reduce methane emissions through new projects completed in 2007, by 372,000 Mcf, which is the equivalent of removing 27,550 vehicles that use 17 million gallons of gas per year from the road. The EPA also recognized ONEOK Partners as being proactive in educating its employees about the program through Web sites and employee publications, as well as including Natural Gas STAR information in employee training materials.
"It's a great honor to be recognized nationally by the EPA for voluntary methane emission reductions," said John W. Gibson, chairman and chief executive officer of ONEOK Partners. "This award further reinforces our dedication to environmentally responsible operations."
The Natural Gas STAR Program is a 15-year-old voluntary EPA program that encourages oil and natural gas companies to adopt proven, cost-effective technologies and practices that improve efficiency and reduce methane gas emissions. The program also serves as a forum between participating companies and the federal government to share new and improved methods for reducing methane gas emissions.
Since its implementation in 1993, the STAR program has eliminated nearly 677 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of domestic methane emissions through the implementation of more than 120 cost-effective technologies and practices.
ONEOK Partners has been a member of the STAR Program since 2000 and is one of more than 150 members in the program, including ONEOK distribution companies Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service and Texas Gas Service. Additionally, ONEOK Partners' interstate and natural gas pipeline business was recognized as the Natural Gas STAR Program "Rookie of the Year" in 2006.
ONEOK Partners, L.P. (NYSE: OKS) is one of the largest publicly traded limited partnerships, and is a leader in the gathering, processing, storage and transportation of natural gas in the U.S. and owns one of the nation's premier natural gas liquids (NGL) systems, connecting much of the natural gas and NGL supply in the Mid-Continent with key market centers. Our general partner is a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE), a diversified energy company, which owns 47.7 percent of the overall partnership interest. ONEOK is one of the largest natural gas distributors in the United States, and its energy services operation focuses primarily on marketing natural gas and related services throughout the U.S. For more information on ONEOK Partners, visit the Web site at www.oneokpartners.com.
Analyst Contact: Christy Williamson
918-588-7163
Media Contact: Megan Washbourne
918-588-7572
OKS-G
SOURCE ONEOK Partners, L.P.
http://www.oneokpartners.com
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