Tag: environmental solutions

EPA NEW OWNER CLEAN AIR ACT AUDIT PROGRAM FOR OIL AND GAS

On March 2, 2019, the USEPA finalized a voluntary New Owner Clean Air Act Audit (CAA) Program custom-made for the oil and natural gas sector.  The program can be used by new owners of upstream exploration and production sites to voluntarily find, correct and self-disclose Clean Air Act violations. This can result in timely and cost-effective CAA […]

HEATER TREATERS AND FLASH GAS

Heater treaters can be significant sources of “flash gas” from oil and gas production facilities. Flash gas is natural gas that is released from a wellstream when the liquid undergoes a pressure drop or when the liquid’s temperature is increased. In a heater treater, the crude oil/condensate and produced water experience a pressure drop and […]

OIL AND GAS VENTING EMISSIONS

Oil and gas production processes result in the venting of a portion of the produced natural gas. Vent gas management is a continuing issue for oil and gas operators. Companies must balance permitting requirements, regulatory compliance and corporate responsibility to minimize pollution, waste and liabilities.  Recovery of the vent gas increases revenue to the facility […]

ENCLOSED VAPOR COMBUSTORS UNITS AND AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS

Enclosed combustion units (ECD) also called enclosed combustion devices or enclosed flares are widely used in oil and gas operations to control vent gas VOC and methane emissions. ECDs are a good alternative control device when a vapor recovery unit (VRU) is not feasible for the application. Many operators prefer ECDs over candlestick (open tipped) […]

IDENTIFY, QUANTIFY AND RECTIFY (IQR) VENTING AND LEAKS

Federal and State regulatory rules require oil and gas (O&G) operators to reduce natural gas venting and leaks from their operations. NSPS OOOO has standards for VOC emissions from storage tanks, compressor seals, pneumatic controllers and fugitive leaks (primarily natural gas processing). NSPS OOOOa has standards for VOC emissions from storage tanks, compressor seals, pneumatic controllers, pneumatic […]

USE ENFORCEABLE LIMITS TO AVOID NSPS OOOOA FOR STORAGE TANKS

Operators use enforceable limits in air permits to avoid triggering NSPS OOOOa applicability for crude oil, condensate and produced water storage tanks. To obtain an enforceable limit, the limits must be included in a legally and practically enforceable air permit or other authorization. Air permits granted by a federal, state, local or tribal authority typically […]

AIR QUALITY REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

There is a continuing focus by regulators on the tightening of the regulation of vent gas (VOCs, methane) from oil and gas operations. These regulations place a large liability on industry to know the regulations and comply with all of the emission controls, standards, testing, record keeping and reporting requirements. As regulations are incorporated into […]

STORAGE TANK AIR PERMITTING COMPLIANCE TIPS

Air permits for oil and gas (O&G) production facilities include Federal EPA and State requirements for storage tanks for crude oil, condensate and produced water. The main EPA rules applying to O&G storage tanks are the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) OOOO and OOOOa. Individual state environmental regulatory agencies may have their own storage tank regulations that might […]

Minimizing Fugitive Emissions from Air Flares Used in Upstream Applications

  Flares as Emissions Control Devices Flares are combustion devices used to burn off associated, unwanted or excess combustible gases during many industrial processes, such as oil and gas extraction, refineries, chemical plants, coal mines, bioreactors, and landfills. Flares are used both as safety (pressure relief) devices and as emissions control devices. Based on tests […]

Cimarron Announces the Acquisition of Aereon

Cimarron Expands its Market – Leading Portfolio of Emissions Control Solutions and Worldwide Geographic Reach   We are pleased to announce that Cimarron completed the acquisition of Aereon, a global market leader in emissions control solutions and services for upstream, midstream and downstream energy and infrastructure market applications on April 30, 2020. Press Release Link […]