Howard Energy Partners Expands Impact With 2024 Positive Energy Report

Howard Energy Partners (HEP), one of North America’s largest private midstream energy companies, released its second annual Positive Energy Report, providing a comprehensive look at its operational growth, community investment, and environmental initiatives throughout 2024. The report details how HEP is executing on its mission of “Delivering Positive Energy” across its infrastructure portfolio spanning Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Mexico.

“Meeting rising energy demand alongside community and environmental stewardship are complementary components of our approach,” said Mike Howard, Chairman and CEO of Howard Energy Partners. “Our dual principle of ‘More Energy. Carbon Better.’ is not a competing concept, but integrated elements of our company through the continuous improvement of our people, technologies, safety systems, and operational performance.”

Strategic Growth Through M&A and Innovation

In 2024, HEP completed over $1.1 billion in merger and acquisition activity, adding key assets to enhance its footprint in high-demand regions:

• Increased ownership to 50% in the West Texas Catalyst joint venture with Devon Energy
• Acquired a Steam Methane Reformer (SMR) at the Javelina Plant in Corpus Christi, advancing hydrogen production
• Purchased EPIC Midstream Holdings’ ethylene pipeline to expand Gulf Coast petrochemical transport capacity
• Took operational interest in Oklahoma’s Midship Pipeline, enhancing connectivity in the Anadarko Basin

This expansion supports the surging need for base-load energy to power AI infrastructure, data centers, and critical petrochemical operations along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Safety, Reliability, and Operational Excellence

HEP’s performance metrics underline its commitment to safety and reliability:

• 840,000 man-hours worked with a 99.7% operational runtime
• Over 16,000 hours of safety training and 46 emergency drills conducted
• Recognized with multiple safety awards, including from GPA Midstream, ILTA, Union Pacific, and CPKC
• New programs such as the “Good Catch” initiative, designed to flag near-miss events, were implemented across all locations

The company's Javelina Plant turnaround—a 42-day operation involving 110,000+ safe work hours and 353 audits—was completed with zero injuries, demonstrating HEP’s ability to manage complex projects while maintaining a safety-first culture.

Emissions Management and Environmental Stewardship

As part of its “More Energy. Carbon Better.” philosophy, HEP has made measurable progress on emissions intensity reductions:

• Scope 1 emissions intensity dropped by 21% and Scope 2 by 37% since 2021
• 14 sites now use SOOFIE® continuous methane monitoring equipment
• Third-party audits validated emissions data to ISO 14064 Limited Assurance standards
• Reported zero spills for the third consecutive year

Environmental efforts extend to land restoration, biodiversity protection, and water conservation, with partnerships involving Texan by Nature, Ducks Unlimited, and Coastal Conservation Association. HEP also expanded its electronic recycling and stormwater management practices.

Workforce Engagement and Leadership Development

HEP emphasizes people-first operations, prioritizing safety, opportunity, and community involvement:

• 398 full-time employees, with a voluntary turnover rate of just 10%
• Average of 46.6 training hours per employee, up from 28.3 in 2023
• $400,000+ invested in leadership development, including enrollment in the Stagen Leadership Academy
• 80% employee participation in the 2024 United Way campaign, raising over $450,000
• Paid volunteer hours and expanded university internships supported deeper community engagement and talent development

Looking Ahead: Carbon Reduction and Future Fuels

HEP is advancing low-carbon energy initiatives that support energy transition without compromising reliability:

• DOE-funded CO₂ sequestration and pipeline projects underway in Corpus Christi and Port Arthur
• Active evaluation of a blue ammonia project to support sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production
• Supplying captured CO₂ to Infinium’s Project Pathfinder to produce electrofuels

By integrating new assets and collaborating with public and private partners, HEP positions itself at the intersection of traditional energy infrastructure and emerging clean technologies.

A Force for Good in Energy Infrastructure

At the core of HEP’s approach is a belief that access to reliable, affordable energy is critical for human flourishing and global development. With a rapidly growing global population and surging energy demand—particularly from high-tech and industrial users—HEP’s investments aim to meet both the scale and sustainability required by modern society.

“Our purpose of ‘Delivering Positive Energy’ integrates our belief in capitalism, operational excellence, leadership development, and energy advocacy to leverage business as a force for good,” said Howard.

With a focus on transparency, compliance, and measurable outcomes, HEP’s 2024 Positive Energy Report provides a blueprint for balancing energy expansion with environmental and social responsibility.