A Look at Production Equipment’s Emissions

GSRMS - 2008

John P. MiguezM-Squared P&S, Inc.

Copyright 2008

PEPA & federal regulations that affect us

PTypes of emissions produced by equipment

PWhy are these emissions bad?

PVarious equipment and its emissions

PWhat can be done?

PFuture: Looking over the horizon

A Look at Production Equipment and Techniques toReduce Emissions

Special Thanks to:

Roger Fernandez -EPA

Hasu Gajjar - Gajjar & Assoc.

Milton May P.E. - Tellus Production

Jonathan Mann - M-Squared P&S, Inc.

Carl Borque - Chevron Production, USA

Don Lambert - Miratech Corp.

Joe Patrick, P.E. - Tom Journer & Assoc.

Steve Rethmeyer - Waukesha

Rick Fisher - Continental Controls Corp.

Jeff Hill - JATCO Inc.

Ritter, Karin, American Petroleum Institute (API)

Ray Bradley - Univ of Mass. Amerhest

Brian Boyer - Comm Engineering

Ms Holli Ensz - MMS

Darcy Wilson - MMS

Thomas G. Moore - Stanford University

Eugene S. Takle - Iowa State University

PEstablished in 1967 with Clean Air Act (CAA)

P1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA)

PTitle V: Permit requirements

PTitle 40: Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

PParts 60, 61, 63 affect production equipment

Environmental Protection Agency

POuter Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act

P30CFR 250 contains MMS air quality regs

PDeals with the influence of OCS emissionsupon land

PGulfwide Offshore Activities Data System(GOADS) studies

Role of Mineral Management Service

PState Implementation Plan (SIP)

PEPA approves each state plan (SIP)

PCan set standards stricter than CAA

Roles of the States

P Since 1980 air quality improved– CO 75%– NO2 41%– VOC 21%– SO2 66%

P At the same time the USApopulation increased 32%

Changes in Air Quality from 1980 to 2006

1980 1985 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2006

0

50

100

150

200

CO NOx VOC SO2

Emission Reductions1980 -2006

(Tns/Yr)

Greenhouse Gases

CH4

CO NOx SO2

CO2 CHO

?

??

?

? ?

?

VOC

Atmospheric Pollutants

HC

P NOx Nitrogen Oxides

P CO Carbon Monoxide

P SOx Sulfur Oxides

P CHO Aldehydes

P PM Particulate Matter

Climate Changing ChemicalsP CH4 Methane

P CO2 Carbon Dioxide

P O3 Ozone

P H2O Water Vapor

P CFC Chlorofluorocarbons

= +++ +

Ideal Combustion

= +++ +

++ = + ++

Ideal Combustion

Actual Combustion

Can break down into Nitrogen Oxide and a single Oxygenwhich can combine with another Oxygen molecule to formsurface Ozone.

Combines with VOCs and Ozone to form Smog.

Contributes to Smog formation and keeps Methane inatmosphere from breaking down to contribute to climatewarming.

These VOCs contribute to Smog formation.

Sulphur Oxides and PM come mostly from diesel engines.

3-Way Reduction NOx, CO and VOC

Oxidation converters reduce CO & VOC

+ ++ = + +

+

Important to have <0.5% Oxygen and 750 degrees F

+ = + +

Important to have 450 degrees F

PGlobal Warming: Real or Not?< Greenhouse gases are a high concern for

governments.

POur Industry Produces Greenhouse Gases< We will be affected!

Greenhouse Gases

What is it? How will it affect our Industry?

PThe presence of methane and water vapor inthe atmosphere cause it to absorb radiatedheat from the earth’s surface.

PGreater the concentration of methane, thegreater the temperature rise

PCarbon dioxide increases the temperaturerise by stopping the natural breakdown ofmethane.

Sources of methane within the USA

Source:EPA Study

148 Bcf equals $888,000,000 in lost revenue at $6,00/Mcf

Source:EPA Study

Source: MMS GOADS Study

Source: MMS GOADS Study

PNOx Nitrogen Oxides

PCO Carbon Monoxide

PVOC Volatile Organic Compounds< CHO Aldehydes

Toxic Emissions Produced

PCatalytic Convertors< Rich Burn Engines need an Air Fuel Ratio Controller

(AFR) – Three-way convertors

– NOx– CO– VOC

< Lean Burn Engines– Oxidation convertors (Do not need AFRs)

– CO– VOC

– CHO

POEM Engines< Naturally produce little NOx

– 1st Generation <2 grms/BHP-HR– Newer <1 Grms/BHP-HR

PRetro-Fitted Lean Burn< Hi-Pressure fuel systems or use of inserts

– Can get below 0.5 Grms/GHP-HR– Mostly for large older engines

< Electronic Gas Carburators– Designed for high speed engines 50HP and up

– <2 Grms/BHP-HR

PLean Burn Engines are the Future*

Lean Burn Engines

* Opinion

BTEX Capture and Removal

Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-benzene, and Xylene (BTEX)are hazardous air pollutants that are absorbed along withwater by triethylene glycol (TEG).

When heated in reboiler to remove the water, BTEXescapes out of still column.

Methane Emissions

Alone with BTEX methane is often lost.

PUse flash tanks

PUse condenser coils

PUse electric motors instead of gas pumps

PReduce glycol usage if possible

PUse desiccant dehydrator instead of a glycoldehydrator

PFlare the gas (especially if sour)

The GOADS 2005 study showed over 9200 tons of lostmethane from storage tanks. The EPA estimates over 9 BCFof gas lost nationwide from storage tank flashing.

At $6.00 per MCF that is $54,000,000 in lost revenue toproducers.

Release of Methane and other HC

PUse a Vapor Recovery Tank (VRT)< Installed between separator or heater treater and

tank

PUse Vapor Recovery Unit (VRU)< Recip compressor< Flooded screw< Vane< Ejector < Water jet ejector

PFlare the vented flash

Gas compressors are a large source offugitive and cool vent methane emissions.

P Compressor rod packing leaks< New packing can leak as much as 60 cf/hr< Worn packing, 900cfhr or more

P Venting on blow down

P Leaking shutdown valves

P Wet seals in centrifugal compressors can leak

P Use packing leak detecting system and controller< Detects leaking seals and reroutes gas

P Use gas sniffers for quick response

P Use special packing to control static leaks

P Use dry seals on centrifugal compressors

P Connect the blowdown vent lines to the fuel gassystem allows normally vented gas to be usedwhile the compressor is off-line.

Pr

Connect Casing to Vapor Recovery Unit«

Consolidate Production and/or Tank Batteries«

Eliminate Unnecessary Equipment and/or

Systems«

Install Downhole Separator Pumps«

Install Electric Compressors«

Replace Burst Plates with Secondary Relief Valves

«

Install Electronic Flare Ignition Devices«

Lower Heater Treater Temperature«

Convert Water Tank Blanket to Produced CO2

Gas«

Pipe Glycol Pump to Vapor Recovery Unit

« Reroute Glycol Skimmer Gas

« Install Pressurized Storage of

Condensate

« Convert Gas-driven Chemical Pumps

« Convert Pneumatics to Alternative Controllers

« Install Compressors to Capture Casinghead Gas

« Install Velocity Tubing Strings

« Install Flares

« Recycle Line Recovers Gas During Condensate

Loading« Use Ultrasound to Identify Leaks

« Use Foaming Agents«

A Look Down the Road*

PTighter restrictions< Environmental lawsuits< Worldwide agreements

– Kyoto Protocol

PGreater emphasis on Methane & CO2

< Carbon tax

PBetter technology< Electronic Carburetor and controls< VRU< Cleaner engines< Electric motors

As of July 2008

That’s All Folks!