Steffes Partners with EERC to Launch Breakthrough Technology to Minimize Routine Flaring
Steffes, LLC, and the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) Foundation have formalized their partnership with a signing ceremony, marking the commercialization of their innovative emissions reduction technology for the oil and gas industry.
The new technology, the Polar Bear Compressor, is designed to minimize routine gas flaring from upstream oil and gas operations. This breakthrough system captures and compresses flare gas, converting it into usable oil and gas while reducing emissions and enhancing production efficiency. Designed specifically for low-pressure, low-volume well pads, it offers a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for operators.
Steffes, a North Dakota-based manufacturer of energy solutions, will be responsible for the production, marketing, and sale of the Polar Bear Compressor technology under the licensing agreement. It will be commercialized under the name Emissions Reduction Unit by Steffes, reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing regulatory-ready, emissions-focused technologies for the oil and gas sector.
“This partnership is a prime example of how collaboration between industry and research institutions can lead to groundbreaking solutions for the energy sector,” said Todd Mayer, Co-President of Steffes. “The Polar Bear Compressor technology isn’t just reducing flaring—it’s enabling oil and gas producers to operate more efficiently, recover more valuable resources, and move toward greater environmental compliance with confidence.”
The partnership stems from a joint development agreement between Steffes and the EERC Foundation, which began in 2022. The development of the Polar Bear Compressor technology follows extensive research conducted at the EERC, who leveraged its expertise in energy and environmental solutions. One of the crucial funding contributors to advancing this technology was the State Energy Research Center (SERC), established at the EERC by the North Dakota legislature in 2019. SERC funding supports early-stage research and focuses on emerging topics critical to the state’s energy industry and environmental challenges.
“We are excited to see the culmination of years of research and development come to fruition,” said EERC CEO Charlie Gorecki. “This technology represents a significant step forward in our mission to advance innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact while supporting energy production efficiency.”
The Polar Bear Compressor technology will be deployed across North Dakota in an initial pilot phase, with the EERC working closely with Steffes to monitor and refine the technology’s performance.
For more information on the Polar Bear Compressor technology and to inquire about the pilot program, contact:
Nikki Krueger, Director of Communications, Energy & Environmental Research Center
701-777-5428
eercinfo@undeerc.org
Kaylee Lapp, Marketing Manager, Steffes, LLC
701-456-7409
klapp@steffes.com