Blowdown operations in natural gas compressor stations, required during maintenance, emergencies, or demand reductions, release significant volumes of methane into the atmosphere. These emissions not only contribute to climate change but also represent a loss of valuable energy resources. This study proposes a guideline-based framework for selecting optimal blowdown gas utilization strategies and applies it to a representative case of a small, remote compressor station. The proposed solution involves reinjecting blowdown gas into nearby transmission lines using a three-stage reciprocating compressor. A dynamic model was developed to design the evacuation package, achieving >95 % gas recovery. Techno-economic analysis shows that for an annual blowdown volume of 89,000 Nm³, incorporating the recently introduced Waste Emissions Charge (WEC) of $1500 per ton of methane results in a 15.04 % return on investment (ROI) and a payback period of 6.65 years. These findings highlight that the proposed solution enhances environmental sustainability by reducing methane emissions, while also improving financial viability under evolving regulatory pressures.

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