Founded in 2005, Sapphire Gas Solutions has established itself as a nationwide leader in providing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) solutions. Originally focusing on midstream solutions and support, the company expanded its services in 2010 to include mobile natural gas solutions, which now span the entire United States. Sapphire Gas Solutions is dedicated to helping public agencies and private businesses integrate clean-burning natural gas and low-carbon intensity renewable natural gas into their operations. The creation of Sapphire Gas Solutions was driven by the industry’s need for comprehensive and sustainable natural gas solutions. The company addresses significant gaps in accessibility to American-made natural gas for end users constrained by traditional pipeline infrastructure. By offering all-inclusive LNG, CNG, and RNG solutions, Sapphire ensures clients can utilize cleaner energy sources irrespective of their location or pipeline access.

As environmental concerns and regulatory pressures intensify, Sapphire Gas Solutions enables businesses to reduce emissions and comply with environmental regulations. Their innovative mobile compression services capture natural gas during pipeline maintenance, significantly reducing emissions by compressing and reintroducing the gas downstream instead of flaring or venting it. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Sapphire Gas Solutions’ suite of turnkey solutions ensures clients have uninterrupted access to liquefied, compressed, and renewable natural gas. Their extensive expertise, rapid mobilization capability, and cutting-edge technology make Sapphire Gas Solutions a premier energy provider, leading the industry toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

In conversation with Sam Thigpen, Founder and CEO of Sapphire Gas Solutions

Q. What are the main products and services offered by Sapphire Gas Solutions?

We offer mobile natural gas supply to industrial, residential, utility, and commercial customers when pipeline access is unavailable. Our mobile gas compression services capture and compress gas for pipeline systems undergoing maintenance or testing. We also provide natural gas fuel for power generation in microgrids, data centers, and other industrial installations. Furthermore, we deliver renewable natural gas to pipeline systems when direct connections to the producing source are not possible.

Q. How does your turnkey energy management system work, and what makes it stand out from other solutions on the market?

Our energy management system stands out by offering comprehensive solutions for LNG, CNG, and RNG. This all-inclusive approach ensures that we can address a wide array of energy challenges and provide tailored solutions that best meet our clients’ specific needs. This comprehensive approach simplifies the process for our clients, allowing them to focus on their core operations while we manage their energy needs.

Q. Your infrastructure management services ensure pipeline resiliency and integrity. Can you explain how this works and why it’s essential for your clients?

Our infrastructure management services are crucial as they provide supplemental gas supply during events that could reduce pipeline capacity. This ensures that end users are not curtailed. Additionally, during integrity testing, we replace the gas supply to end users while the traditional pipeline system is out of service for maintenance and testing.

The importance of these services cannot be overstated. For our clients, it means peace of mind, knowing that their gas supply is secure, regardless of external factors. It ensures operational continuity, safeguards against potential financial losses due to downtime, and enhances the overall safety and reliability of their gas infrastructure. Our commitment to maintaining pipeline resiliency and integrity is a cornerstone of our service, helping our clients operate efficiently and confidently.

Q. How does your company stay ahead in terms of technology and innovation in the natural gas industry?

We stay ahead by continuously evaluating new systems and AI solutions that enhance our operational efficiency and provide real-time data to our customers. To maintain our leadership position, we actively seek out the latest technological advancements and innovations within the industry. Our team continuously monitors emerging trends and breakthroughs, ensuring that we are always at the forefront of technological progress.

Q. How is Sapphire Gas Solutions contributing to a more sustainable and low-emission future?

We contribute to sustainability by capturing gas with our compression services, reducing emissions that would otherwise result from flaring or venting. By providing LNG and CNG as fuel alternatives to diesel or fuel oils, we help reduce emissions for our end users. Additionally, RNG at our fueling stations helps heavy-duty fleets cut tailpipe emissions by switching from diesel.

Through these services, Sapphire Gas Solutions plays a pivotal role in driving the transition towards a more sustainable and low-emission future. In 2023, Sapphire’s solutions helped clients avoid 668,162 MT CO2e and we are proud to support our clients in their efforts to adopt cleaner energy solutions and reduce their environmental impact.

Q. Are there any new services, products, or technologies on the horizon that you are particularly excited about?

The integration of AI into logistics management, contract management, and operations management is set to transform the industry, bringing about greater efficiency, cost savings, and improved service delivery. We are eager to leverage these advancements to enhance our processes and maintain a competitive edge in the market. This includes the ability to process and analyze data swiftly to aid in better decision-making and strategic planning that can drive continuous improvements across the board.

Meet the leader behind the success of Sapphire Gas Solutions

Sam Thigpen, the Founder and CEO of Sapphire Gas Solutions, is a recognized entrepreneurial leader and avid outdoorsman. He is the 2021 winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year^® award for the Gulf Coast region and attributes his entrepreneurial success to the field and operations experience gained early in his career. Having been in the natural gas industry for 26 years, Mr. Thigpen has spent two-thirds of that time as an entrepreneur. Since founding, what is now, Sapphire Gas Solutions in 2005 the company has been recognized as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company three times.

Outside of business, Sam is an avid offshore fisherman and outdoorsman. Intellectually, Mr. Thigpen is a member of MENSA and the International Society for Philosophical Enquiry. He is also a Texas Freemason and a member of the Woodlands Church, in The Woodlands, TX.

“To maintain our leadership position, we actively seek out the latest technological advancements and innovations within the industry.”