Getting Ahead of the Regulators by Building Your Own Emissions Profile

Abstract

abstract Research Objective Development of improved air emissions management through better emissions estimation methodologies and best available estimation techniques for hydraulic fracturing phases. Problem Statement - Policy without data Federal and State regulators are developing air emissions regulations that will have an impact on the oil and gas industry. In the near future, regulatory requirements will be put in place that entail the measurement and reporting of such air emissions as NOx, VOCs, Greenhouse gases (such as methane), NO2, SO2 and more.1 Historically, air emissions studies have been conducted using methods that sample off site, ambient air. Much of the data gathered in this fashion falls short because this collection method fails to consider emissions transport from other industry such as power generation, waste water treatment, or even emissions that blow in from other countries. It also falls short of being helpful to the industry since the operators and service providers are left questioning which pieces of equipment are producing these emissions if any. Solution If properly characterized, these sources may be eliminated from regulatory compliance requirements by simply identifying and demonstrating their minimal contributions as de minimis sources. The research team traveled to a hydraulic fracturing site on the Eagle Ford Shale Play and collected real time activity data from equipment that has the potential to release large amounts of air pollutants. Actual run times and load factors of the engines were measured. The activity data was then compared to data collected in the traditional manner of conservative off-site emission assumptions. Regulators performing offsite estimates will typically default to the conservative assumption that engines are operating at 100% load and 24 hours a day, and every day that the operation occurs.