HY-BON/EDI Blog: Quad O Compliance and Vent Gas Management
Nov 19, 2015
| A thief hatch is a closable aperture in a tank or vessel. In the oilfield thief hatches are normally used on low pressure and atmospheric tanks. Thief hatches are used to take samples of the tanks contents, determining the level of the tank and protect the tank from over pressure and excessive vacuum. They are also one of the reasons for the most common compliance violations and operational problems in the Oil and Gas Industry. Let me expand. Regulatory compliance inspectors are like everyon… |
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Oct 23, 2015
| Regulatory requirements to control vent gas from oil and gas (O&G) storage tanks tend to have the choice of vapor recovery or flaring. The federal NSPS OOOO and state air permitting rule are the major drivers for storage tank emission controls. Storage tank vent gas is natural gas that will contain methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and possibly hydrogen sulfide (H2S) for sour gas wells. Operators are aware of the nationwide push to further reduce emissions from produ… |
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Oct 8, 2015
| In September 2015, the EPA published a Compliance Alert addressing concerns for VOC emissions from onshore O&G storage vessels using emission control devices (VRUs, combustors, flares). The Alert discusses engineering and maintenance practices that can improve compliance and reduce air emissions. It also summarizes many of the good practices that O&G operators already use. It is not definitive guidance on good practices and following the guidance does not guarantee compliance with air qu… |
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Sep 18, 2015
| By Jason Spiess for Bakken Breakout There are some who argue that in the world of economics, the world is flat. The wired world has made claims our collective consciousness is becoming flat. There was even a time when some argued the actual physical world was flat. Today, this writer is suggesting the easiest way to understand crude oil is to know flat Coke. Pop and culture metaphors aside, times and technologies change, ideas evolve and perceptions personify. When given the assignment of … |
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Aug 31, 2015
| On August 18, 2015, the EPA proposed new regulations aimed at reducing methane (CH4) and VOC emissions from the oil and gas (O&G) sector. The proposals are a part of the President’s Climate Action Plan to cut CH4 emissions from the O&G sector by 40 to 45 percent from 2012 levels by 2025. The proposed rules amend 40 CFR 60 Subpart OOOO with updates/clarifications and include CH4 (along with VOCs) as a regulated pollutant covered by NSPS OOOO. There are no changes to the current list of … |
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Aug 7, 2015
| Every day there is a news story that connects climate change, greenhouse gases (GHG) with the oil and gas (O&G) industry. On August 3, 2015, the Obama Administration announced the details of the “Clean Power Plan” designed to reduce GHG emissions from electric generating plants that use fossil fuels. This is only the beginning of the future regulation and reduction of GHG emissions across all sectors of our economy. Greenhouse gas regulations for the O&G industry is expected soon. In J… |
Jul 17, 2015
| Everyday there are more and more new reports and studies on greenhouse gases (GHGs), climate change and the oil and gas industry. What matters to the oil and gas industry is what are the issues, how does this affect operations and what do we need to do. The USEPA has taken a path of command and control regulations over voluntary actions in regards to reporting GHGs. Regulators are now poised to control GHG emissions from oil and gas operations. The current GHG issues make it even more important… |
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Jun 8, 2015
| IQR - Identify, Quantify, Rectify HY-BON uses its IQR Survey as the method to Identify, Quantify and Rectify leaks from venting, flaring and fugitive leaks of natural gas at oil and gas production facilities. The venting sources include storage tanks, glycol dehydrators and facility blowdown vents. Fugitive leaks include leaks from valves, flanges, connections, seals and pressure relief devices – with the focus being on tank hatches and tank relieve valves. IQR surveys can be used for volatile… |
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May 20, 2015
| The mandate to reduce oil and gas facility flaring, venting and leaking of natural gas (due to VOC and methane content) is expanding every year. Regulatory initiatives have focused on prescriptive command and control regulations for newer sources. Voluntary efforts are focused on existing emission sources. Recent news reports and initiatives indicate a push for even more restrictions on oil and gas emissions. Image from EPA Enforcement page regarding EPA focus on reducing flaring from industr… |
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May 8, 2015
| Methane has been getting much bad press lately. Despite all of the bad things projected onto methane there are many aspects and uses of this natural gas making it valuable and important. Using methane as a fuel for electricity and heat generation and feedstock for U.S. chemical and refining processes has resulted in an unprecedented amount of abundance for much of the world today. Methane will continue to help power prosperity in the world for the foreseeable future. This blog topic discusses… |
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