Four Corners Air Quality Task Force
Draft Report of Mitigation Options
Version 5
January 10, 2007
Four Corners Air Quality Task Force
The draft report is a compilation of mitigation options drafted by members of the Four Corners Air Quality Task Force. The agencies involved have not
reviewed or adopted these options at this time. These options will be considered following the completion of the Task Force in December 2007. Draft Report of Mitigation Options 1
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Members List [To be added]
Interested Parties List [To be added] Draft Report of Mitigation Options 2 Version 5 – 1/10/07
Executive Summary
[To be written]
Draft Report of Mitigation Options 3 Version 5 – 1/10/07
Table of Contents
Oil and Gas .......................................................................................................................................................... 7Oil and Gas .......................................................................................................................................................... 7ENGINES .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 STATIONARY RICE ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Industry Collaboration................................................................................................................................. 8 Install Electric Compression ...................................................................................................................... 10 Optimization/Centralization ...................................................................................................................... 12 Follow EPA New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) .......................................................................... 14 Adherence to Manufacturers‘ Operation and Maintenance Requirements ................................................... 16 Use of SCR for NOx control on lean burn engines ..................................................................................... 18 Use of NSCR / 3-way Catalysts and Air/Fuel Ratio Controllers on Stoichiometric Engines ........................ 19 Use of Oxidation Catalysts and Air/Fuel Ratio Controllers on Lean Burn Engines ...................................... 22 Install Lean Burn Engines ......................................................................................................................... 24 Interim Emissions Recommendations for Stationary RICE ......................................................................... 26 Provide Training For Field Personnel on Engine Maintenance With Regard to AQ Considerations
(forthcoming) ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Next Generation Stationary RICE Control Technologies – Cooperative Technology Partnerships ............... 29 MOBILE/NON-ROAD ................................................................................................................................. 38 Fugitive dust control plans for dirt/gavel road and land clearing ................................................................. 38 Use produced water for dust reduction ....................................................................................................... 40 Pave roads to mitigate dust ........................................................................................................................ 44 Automation of wells to reduce truck traffic ................................................................................................ 45 Reduced Vehicular Dust Production by Enforcing Speed Limits ................................................................ 46 Reduced Truck Traffic by Centralizing Produced Water Storage Facilities ................................................. 48 Reduced Vehicular Dust Production by Covering Lease Roads with Rock or Gravel .................................. 50 Reduced Truck Traffic by Efficiently Routing Produced Water Disposal Trucks ........................................ 51 Use Alternative Fuels and Maximize Fuel Efficiency to Control Combustion Engine Emissions ................. 52 Utilize Exhaust Emission Control Devices for Combustion Engine Emission Controls ............................... 54 Exhaust Engine Testing for Combustion Engine Emission Controls ........................................................... 55 Reduce Trucking Traffic in the Four Corners Region ................................................................................. 56 RIG ENGINES ............................................................................................................................................. 57 Diesel Fuel Emulsions ............................................................................................................................... 57 Natural Gas Fired Rig Engines .................................................................................................................. 59 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) ......................................................................................................... 61 Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) ............................................................................................... 63 Implementation of EPA‘s Non Road Diesel Engine Rule – Tier 2 through Tier 4 standards ........................ 65 Interim Emissions Recommendations for Drill Rigs ................................................................................... 72 Various Diesel Controls ............................................................................................................................ 73 TURBINES .................................................................................................................................................. 76 Upgrade Existing Turbines to Improved Combustion Controls (Emulating Dry LoNOx Technology) ......... 76 EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 77 TANKS ........................................................................................................................................................ 77 Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Operating Tank Batteries ............................................................. 77 Installing Vapor Recovery Units (VRU) .................................................................................................... 78 Installing Gas Blankets Capability ............................................................................................................. 79 DEHYDRATORS/SEPARATORS/HEATERS ............................................................................................. 80 Replace Glycol Dehydrators with Desiccant Dehydrators........................................................................... 80 Installation of Insulation on Separators ...................................................................................................... 82 Portable Desiccant Dehydrators ................................................................................................................. 83 Zero Emissions (a.k.a. Quantum Leap) Dehydrator .................................................................................... 85 Venting versus Flaring of Natural Gas During Well Completions ............................................................... 88 WELLS ........................................................................................................................................................ 95 Installation and/or Optimization of a Plunger Lift System .......................................................................... 95 Implementation of Reduced Emission Completions ................................................................................... 98 Convert High-Bleed to Low or no Bleed Gas Pneumatic Controls ............................................................ 100
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Utilizing Electric Chemical Pumps .......................................................................................................... 102
PNEUMATICS / CONTROLLERS / FUGITIVES ...................................................................................... 103 Optical Imaging to Detect Gas Leaks ....................................................................................................... 103 Convert Gas Pneumatic Controls to Instrument Air .................................................................................. 105 OVERARCHING ......................................................................................................................................... 107 Lease and permit incentives for improving air quality on public lands ...................................................... 107 Economic-Incentives Based Emission Trading System (EBETS) ............................................................. 110 Tax or Economic Development Incentives for Environmental Mitigation ................................................. 113 Voluntary Partnerships and Pay-back Incentives: Four Corners Innovation Technology and Best Energy-
Environment Management Practices (IBEMP) ......................................................................................... 116 Voluntary Programs ................................................................................................................................ 119
Power Plants ................................................................................................................................................... 121Power Plants ................................................................................................................................................... 121EXISTING POWER PLANTS ..................................................................................................................... 122 ADVANCED SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS ............................................................................................ 122 Lowering Air Emissions by Advanced Software Applications: Neural Net ............................................... 122 BEST AVAILABLE RETROFIT TECHNOLOGY (BART) ....................................................................... 125 Control Technology Options for Four Corners Power Plant ...................................................................... 125 Control Technology Options for San Juan Generating Station .................................................................. 132 OPTIMIZATION........................................................................................................................................ 135 Energy Efficiency Improvements ............................................................................................................ 135 Enhanced SO Scrubbing ........................................................................................................................ 136 2
ADVANCED NO CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES ..................................................................................... 138 x
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) NO Control Retrofit ...................................................................... 138 xTMBOC LoTOx System for the Control of NOx Emissions ....................................................................... 141 OTHER RETROFIT TECHNOLOGIES ..................................................................................................... 143 Baghouse Particulate Control Retrofit...................................................................................................... 143 Mercury Control Retrofit ......................................................................................................................... 145 STANDARDS ............................................................................................................................................ 146 Harmonization of Standards .................................................................................................................... 146 MISCELLANEOUS ................................................................................................................................... 148 Emission Fund ........................................................................................................................................ 148 PROPOSED POWER PLANTS ................................................................................................................... 150 DESERT ROCK ENERGY FACILITY ...................................................................................................... 150 Desert Rock Energy Facility Stakeholder Funding to and Participation in Regional Air Quality Improvement
Initiatives such as Four Corners Air Quality Task Force........................................................................... 150 Negotiated Agreements in Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permits .................................... 153 Emissions Monitoring for Proposed Desert Rock Energy Facility to be used over Time to Assess and
Mitigate Deterioration to Air Quality in Four Corners Area...................................................................... 155 Coal Based Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) ................................................................... 157 Invest in Carbon Dioxide Control Technology ......................................................................................... 161 Federal Land Manager Mitigation Agreement with Desert Rock Energy Facility ...................................... 163 OVERARCHING ......................................................................................................................................... 168 POLICY ..................................................................................................................................................... 168 Reorganization of EPA Regions .............................................................................................................. 168 MERCURY ................................................................................................................................................ 169 Clean Air Mercury Rule Implementations in Four Corners Area .............................................................. 169 Mercury Studies for Four Corners Area (Forthcoming) ............................................................................ 171 AIR DEPOSITION STUDIES .................................................................................................................... 172 Participate in and Support Mercury Studies ............................................................................................. 172 GREENHOUSE GAS MITIGATION ......................................................................................................... 175 CO Capture and Storage Plan Development by Four Corners Area Power Plants..................................... 175 2
Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG) Energy Supply Technical Work Group Policy Option
Implementation in Four Corners Area ...................................................................................................... 177 CAP AND TRADE ..................................................................................................................................... 179 Declining Cap and Trade Program for NO Emissions for Existing and Proposed Power Plants ................ 179 x
Four Corners States to join the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Program ............................................... 182
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ASTHMA STUDIES .................................................................................................................................. 185
Chronic Respiratory Disease Study for the Four Corners area to determine relationship between Air
Pollutants from Power Plants and Respiratory Health Effects ................................................................... 185 CROSSOVER ............................................................................................................................................ 188 Install Electric Compression (customize) ................................................................................................. 188 Crossover Options ................................................................................................................................... 190
Other Sources .................................................................................................................................................. 191Other Sources .................................................................................................................................................. 191Phased Construction Projects................................................................................................................... 192 Public Buy-in through Local Organizations to push for transportation alternatives and ordinances ............ 194 Regional Planning Organizations (Forthcoming) ...................................................................................... 195 Uniformity of Regulations Between Jurisdictions and as Applied to Construction vs. Sand and Gravel
Operations (Forthcoming) ....................................................................................................................... 195 Fugitive Dust Mitigation Plan (Forthcoming)........................................................................................... 195
Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Conservation ......................................................................... 196Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Conservation ......................................................................... 196Expand the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) to be Mandatory for Coops and Municipalities ............ 197 Green Building Incentives ....................................................................................................................... 199 Changes to Residential Energy Bills ........................................................................................................ 200 Subsidization of Land Required to Develop Renewable Energy ............................................................... 203 Four Corners State Adopt California Standards for Purchase of Clean Imported Energy ........................... 205 New Programs to Promote Renewable Energy Including Tax Incentives .................................................. 207 Use of Distributed Energy ....................................................................................................................... 211 Direct Load Control and Time-based Pricing ........................................................................................... 213 Volunteers do Home Audits for Energy Efficiency .................................................................................. 215 County Planning of High Density Living as Opposed to Dispersed Homes throughout the County............ 216 Promote Solar Electrical Energy Production ............................................................................................ 217 Renewable Energy Credits (Forthcoming) ............................................................................................... 218 Net Metering for Four Corners Area ........................................................................................................ 219 Improved Efficiency of Home and Industrial Lighting ............................................................................. 222 Energy Conservation by Energy Utility Customers .................................................................................. 225 Outreach Campaign for Conservation and Wise Use of Energy Use of Energy ......................................... 228
Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 230Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 230
Monitoring ....................................................................................................................................................... 231Monitoring ....................................................................................................................................................... 231Interim Emissions Recommendations for Ammonia Monitoring .............................................................. 232 Four Corners Area Monitoring Gap Analysis Matrix: Introduction ........................................................... 234 Four Corners Monitoring Gap Analysis Matrix ........................................................................................ 237
Table of Mitigation Options Not Written ..................................................................................................... 241Table of Mitigation Options Not Written ..................................................................................................... 241
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Oil and Gas Oil and Gas
Oil & Gas
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ENGINES: STATIONARY RICE
Mitigation Option: Industry Collaboration
I. Description of the mitigation option
Overview
; This option explores the possibility of industry collaboration toward affecting mandating
emission control technologies [8/4/06] Expansion: (e.g., three-way catalytic converters with air-
to-fuel-ratio controllers) that would be implemented by engine manufacturer‘s for building future
engines, especially those used in association with natural gas fired compressor engines and are
smaller horsepower of generally less than 200 hp [8/4/06] Clarification: site-rated.
Air Quality and Environmental Benefits
; This option would result in air quality improvement since all new engines built would meet
lowest achievable emission controls at that time for criteria pollutants.
Economic
; This would require a large capital investment from both companies and engine manufacturer‘s to
achieve this result. This would result in replacement of older compressor engines, particularly
those less than 200 hp, with new ones at a significant cost to the oil and gas industry. The
salvage value of older compressors is a fraction of the cost of a new compressor engine.
; It would require companies to commit to ordering new engines over a prescribed time likely
ahead of when older units would have been replaced.
; The manufacturers would need confirmed orders to justify re-tooling their plants to meet the
demand.
Trade-offs
; The use of given emission control technology could result in other emissions. For example, the
use of lean-burn technology on a large scale would result in incremental emissions of
formaldehyde. If NSCR is used on a large scale, it is believed ammonia emissions would result.
[8/4/06] Expansion: However, it is not known if these emissions would be significant.
; Some engine manufacturers that cannot meet the demand and/or re-tool their factories could lose
their market share in the San Juan Basin. Need to ensure this does not create any restraint of
trade concerns.
II. Description of how to implement
A. Mandatory or voluntary; It could be both. The companies could begin a process of placing
new orders voluntarily or the agencies, through regulatory/rules, could require emission levels
that necessitate ordering new compressor engines.
B. Indicate the most appropriate agency(ies) to implement: State Environmental Agencies
III. Feasibility of the option
A. Technical: None identified although some field trials and bench scale tests are probably
necessary to assess actual emissions on the new engines.
[8/4/06] Expansion: EPA has established the technological feasibility of controlling these types of
engines. (See NSPS Mitigation Option Paper below.)
B. Environmental: Yes, from the Cumulative Effects group depending upon what type of
emission control technology is preferred.
C. Economic: Economic burden associated with engine replacement and manufacturer re-tooling
is likely to be substantial.
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IV. Background data and assumptions used
Emission inventories compiled for the Farmington, NM BLM Resource Management Plan (2003); Southern Ute Indian Reservation Oil and Gas Environmental Impact Statement (2002)
; Preliminary discussions with companies and engine manufacturer representatives
; Will need to integrate any more recent emissions inventory data from the Cumulative Effects
Group
V. Any uncertainty associated with the option (Low, Medium, High) High. Especially pertaining to
feasibility. Medium due to economics of replacing a large fleet of existing compressor engines and the timing that would be required to begin manufacturing a number of small horsepower engines.
VI. Level of agreement within the work group for this mitigation option TBD
VII. Cross-over issues to the other source groups (please describe the issue and which groups)
May need to verify with other work groups if manufacturing a large number of new compressor engines, particularly in the smaller horsepower range, could conflict with other new engine initiatives such as building Tier II and Tier III diesel engines.
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Mitigation Option: Install Electric Compression
I. Description of the mitigation option
Overview
; Electric Compression would involve the replacement or retrofit of existing internal combustion
engines or proposed new engines with electric motors. The electric motors would be designed to
deliver equal horsepower to that of internal combustion engines. However, the limitation of
doing so is predicated by the electrical grid that would exist in a given area to provide the
necessary capacity to support electrical compression.
Air Quality/Environmental
; Elimination of criteria pollutants that occur with the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels (natural gas,
diesel, gasoline). Displacement of emissions to power generating sources (utilities).
.
Economics
; The costs to replace natural gas fired compressors with electric motors would be costly.
; The costs of getting electrical power to the sites would be costly. It could require a grid pattern
upgrade which could costs millions of dollars for a given area.
; A routine connection to a grid with adequate capacity for a small electric motor can be $18K to
$25K/site on the Colorado side of the San Juan Basin.
; A scaled down substation for electrification of a central compression site can range between
$250K and $400K.
; Suppliers/Manufacturers would have to be poised to meet the demand of providing a large
number of electrical motors, large and small.
Tradeoffs
; While the sites where the electrical motors would be placed would not be sources of emissions,
indirect emissions from the facilities generating the electricity would still occur such as coal fired
power plants.
; Additional co-generation facilities would likely have to be built in the region to supply the
amount of electrical power needed for this option. This would result in additional emissions of
criteria pollutants from the combustion of natural gas for turbines typically used for co-generation
facilities.
; There would need to be possible upgrades in the electrical distribution system. However, the
limitation of doing so is predicated by the electrical grid that would exist in a given area to
provide the necessary capacity to support electrical compression
Burdens
; The cost to replace natural gas fired engines with electrical motors would be borne by the oil and
gas industry.
II. Description of how to implement
A. Mandatory or voluntary: Voluntary, depending upon the results of monitoring data over time.
B. Indicate the most appropriate agency(ies) to implement: State Air Quality agencies.
III. Feasibility of the option
A. Technical: Feasible depending upon the electrical grid in a given geographic area
B. Environmental: Factors such as federal land use restrictions or landowner cooperation could
restrict the ability to obtain easements to the site. The degree to which converting to electrical Oil & Gas: Engines – Stationary RICE 10
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