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Glossary:Greenhouse gas reporting program
The GHGRP requires reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) data and other relevant information from large GHG emission sources, fuel and industrial gas suppliers, and CO2 injection sites in the United States. Approximately 8,000 facilities are required to report their emissions annually, and the reported data are made available to the public in October of each year.
Owners or operators of facilities that contain petroleum and natural gas systems and emit 25,000 metric tons or more of GHGs per year (expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents) report GHG data to EPA. Owners or operators collect GHG data; calculate GHG emissions; and follow the specified procedures for quality assurance, missing data, recordkeeping, and reporting. Subpart W consists of emission sources in ten segments of the petroleum and natural gas industry. https://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting
Subpart OOOOa—Standards of Performance for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities for which Construction, Modification or Reconstruction Commenced after September 18, 2015. This subpart establishes emission standards and compliance schedules for the control of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from affected facilities in the crude oil and natural gas production source category that commence construction, modification, or reconstruction after September 18, 2015.
Introduction to NSPS OOOOb - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the adoption of a comprehensive regulatory framework with its Final Rule for Methane Reduction (NSPS OOOOb, in addition to OOOOc and Appendix K), aimed at curbing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. This is the first of several articles we are developing to help operators understand the implications of the 1,690-page rule for their existing and anticipated well sites and facilities and compliance solutions. This is a short overview, and we plan to issue more in-depth articles in the near future.[1]
Alternative Technologies and Tiered Approach. The rule now permits the use of various alternative technologies or combinations thereof for leak detection for well sites, centralized production facilities, and compressor stations. This flexibility provides operators with opportunities to tailor their emissions monitoring and compliance strategies to the needs of specific locations and their strategic emissions reduction goals.
Source: EPA Final Rule 40 CFR Part 60, RIN 2060-AV16 (Table 1 to Subpart OOOOb of Part 60—Alternative Technology Periodic Screening Frequency at Well Sites, Centralized Production Facilities, and Compressor Stations Subject to AVO Inspections with Quarterly OGI or EPA Method 21 Monitoring, p. 1295). Importantly, the rule establishes detection performance standards, instead of mandating specific technologies.
Adopting an alternative monitoring technology will require owners and operators, rather than solely technology providers, to demonstrate the required emission reduction equivalence of the alternative monitoring program with respect to OGI or EPA Method 21 performance. The implication is that a specification sheet or marketing collateral from a vendor is not enough to evidence that a specific technology meets the minimum detection requirements. Modeling of emission reductions equivalence will be required.