Kansas Gas Service is the largest

natural gas Natural gas (also fossil gas, methane gas, and gas) is a naturally occurring compound of gaseous hydrocarbons, primarily methane (95%), small amounts of higher alkanes, and traces of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide and helium ...

distribution company in the U.S. state of

Kansas Kansas ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the west. Kansas is named a ...

, operating in 82 counties. It is a regulated public utility which serves 634,000 customers in 360 communities, employing 1,000 employees. In addition to owning seven interstate pipeline connections and three intrastate pipeline connections, Kansas Gas Service operates 13,500 miles of service lines, pipelines, and other natural gas properties. Headquartered in

Overland Park, Kansas Overland Park ( ) is the largest city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States, and the List of cities in Kansas#Highest population listing, second-most populous city in the state of Kansas. It is one of four principal city, principal cities in ...

, the company was a division of ONEOK Inc., a

Tulsa Tulsa ( ) is the second-most-populous city in the state of Oklahoma, after Oklahoma City, and the 48th-most-populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tul ...

-based Fortune 200 company since 1997 until ONEOK spun off Kansas Gas Service and its two other distribution companies— Oklahoma Natural Gas Company and Texas Gas Service—to form ONE Gas in 2014.

History

Kansas Gas Service was formed in 1997 when ONEOK purchased the natural gas assets of Western Resources (now

Evergy Evergy, Inc. is an American Investor-owned utility, investor-owned utility (IOU) with publicly traded stock with headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, and in Kansas City, Missouri. The company was formed from a merger of Westar Energy of Topeka and G ...

). However, it traces its history to the former natural gas subsidiaries of Kansas Gas & Electric and Kansas Power & Light, the two companies that merged to form Western Resources in 1992. At one time, it also served portions of Missouri and Oklahoma. Parts of Kansas Gas Service were joined with the former Missouri Gas Service, together being The Gas Service Company until being purchased by Kansas Power and Light in the late 1980s.

Operations and service

Kansas Gas Service operates extensive natural gas storage facilities, including underground storage in depleted gas reservoirs. The company manages issues related to underground gas migration and property rights, adhering to Kansas state laws such as KSA Section 55-1210. This legislation addresses the ownership and rights associated with injected natural gas, impacting how the company operates its storage facilities and interacts with landowners.

Safety and risk management

Recognizing the potential risks associated with underground natural gas storage, Kansas Gas Service implements rigorous safety protocols to maintain well integrity and prevent gas leaks. The company conducts regular inspections, maintenance, and monitoring of its infrastructure to mitigate risks and comply with regulatory standards.

Environmental initiatives

Kansas Gas Service is involved in efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote energy efficiency within the state. The company has collaborated with organizations such as the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to establish carbon emissions baselines for state buildings, aiming to improve sustainability practices and reduce environmental impact. In the wake of the 2007 tornado that devastated Greensburg, Kansas, Kansas Gas Service contributed to the town's rebuilding efforts by supporting the adoption of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. This involvement helped promote sustainable energy solutions and environmental resilience in the community.

Community involvement

Kansas Gas Service participates in various community initiatives and educational programs to promote energy safety and conservation. The company provides resources and support for energy assistance programs to help low-income households manage their energy costs.

References

External links

* Natural gas companies of the United States Companies based in Kansas {{US-energy-company-stub