A new, government-wide strategy for reducing methane emissions was released by the White House in March, 2014. The strategy focuses on landfills, agriculture, coal mines, and oil and natural gas activities and includes the release of several EPA "white papers" on various methane sources. Meanwhile, the State of Colorado has become the first state to require oil and gas companies to detect and reduce emissions of methane by adopting new rules that require leak detection and repair programs, monthly inspections of large emissions sources, and implementation of piping controls for natural gas emissions immediately after oil and gas production.
The vast expansion of hydraulic fracturing across the nation has added to concerns over methane emissions. On May 5, 2014, the "National Climate Assessment," a 3rd annual political document released by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, predicts dire climate change consequences and targets the Oil & Gas sector, and hydraulic fracturing specifically, as major contributors based on extensive methane emissions.
Yet, these regulatory developments are occurring in a data vacuum because the amount of leakage of methane from Oil & Gas operations is not accurately known. Estimates vary dramatically. The EPA has published new proposed rules to require additional measurements of methane emissions from the Oil & Gas industry in Subpart W of the Part 98 GHG (greenhouse gas) Reporting Rules. Methane is now a hot topic. EPA assigns a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) of about 25 to methane emissions and some are concerned about even greater short-term atmospheric effects of methane. This has led the environmental groups to voice concerns that a leak rate above 1% of gross natural gas production would negate the GHG environmental benefits of switching to natural gas from coal for electricity generation and from other such fuel switching trends. Of course, methane is the primary ingredient in natural gas fuel and industry also has an economic incentive to minimize methane losses.
This course will review currently available information on regulatory trends concerning methane emissions, methane measurement methods and technologies, and on various emissions controls and costs to assist professionals and decision-makers confronting these issues. Participants in the course will gain knowledge in all aspects of methane emissions regulations and measurements and will be able to return to their organizations prepared to participate in planning for future compliance and increasing profits.
This seminar is Accredited for 6 CLE credits in Colorado, and submitted for CLE Accreditation in Texas.
What You Will Learn
- Identify key terms in Oil & Gas technologies and methane emission controls
- Describe various methane sources
- Recognize the principles of methane emissions measurements and methods to estimate emissions
- State the provisions of Subpart W proposed rules from the Environmental Protection Agency
- Explain Colorado state rules and the EPA programs on methane emissions
- Discuss emissions controls for Oil & Gas operations
- Define essential elements required for planning and developing methane emissions measurement and control systems and programs for your organization
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Seminar Agenda
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Course Timing: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lunch: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.I. Introduction to Oil & Gas Technologies and Methane Sources
II. Current and Proposed Methane Measurement and Estimation Methods
- Optical Gas Imaging Sensors versus FID versus other common methods
- Combining Optical Gas Imaging with ambient or mobile monitoring
- Replacing BAMM with other measurement techniques
- Overview of Subpart W proposed rules on GHG techniques for Oil & Gas operations
- Ongoing research on direct measurements from various oil and gas operations
III. Regulatory Developments
- Colorado example of state rules
- Leak Detection & Repair (LDAR)
- Scope of monthly inspections
- Immediate source control
- PA programs and rules authority
- Timeline for implementation of methane measurement and control requirements
IV. Emissions Controls for Various Oil & Gas Operations
- Wet Seal Compressor Degassing for Centrifugal Compressors
- Dry Seal Replacement/Retrofit
- Wet Seal Degassing Capture Systems
- Economic Analysis of Installing Wet Seal Degassing Capture Systems
- Reduced-emission completions (RECs)
- Gas Re-Injection
- NGL Recovery and Use for Local Power Generation
- Liquids Unloading
- Background
- Plunger Lifts
- Effects of Plunger Lift Operations on Emissions Reductions
- Additional Options for Removing or Remediating Liquids-related emissions
- Liquids Issues in Horizontal Wells
- Zero bleed, mechanical, and solar powered controllers for pneumatic equipment
- Instrument Air Systems and electric pumps to replace pneumatic equipment
- Directed Operations & Maintenance Programs and other Work Practices
- Cost-effectiveness & Feasibility of Various Emissions Reductions Methods
Friday, July 25, 2014
Continental Breakfast: 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Course Timing: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.IV. Emissions Controls for Various Gas & Oil Operations (continued)
V. Planning and Developing Methane Emissions Measurement and Control Systems and Programs for your Organization.
- Regulatory vs. Voluntary Initiatives
- Developing Program Goal, Objectives & Policies
- Capital & Operating Budgets
- Training & Assessment
- Records & Program Management and Review
Wrap-up & Adjourn
Venue
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Who Should Attend this Seminar
- O&G EHS Professionals
- Environmental Engineers
- Compliance managers
- Energy attorneys
- O&G Regulators and regulatory affairs personnel
- Governmental agencies (local, state, and federal) formulating regulations on methane emissions controls
- O&G Service Companies
- Financial planners in the Oil & Gas industry interested in profit margins from methane capture
Prerequisites and Advance PreparationNone
Program LevelBasic level. This fundamental course begins with basic material and then proceeds to the intermediate level.
Delivery MethodGroup-live.
Hotel and Seminar Information
The seminar will start promptly at 8:30 AM and will finish at 5:00 PM on the first day. On the second day, the seminar will resume at 8:30 AM and will finish at 12:00 PM. The program includes continental breakfast and coffee breaks on both days and lunch on the first day. Dress is casual for all seminars.
Denver Magnolia Hotel818 17th Street
Denver, CO 80202
Telephone: (888) 915-1110
View Seminar Location WebsiteThe room rate is $209.00 single or double plus applicable taxes.
To reserve your room, please call the hotel directly at 303.607.9000 and be sure to indicate that you are attending the Kinetic event to receive the group rate. Please make your reservations prior to June 27, 2014 as there are a limited number of rooms available at the conference rate.