Produced Water,
A White Paper

On behalf of DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory, Argonne National Lab recently issued a white paper or overview document covering key aspects of produced water. Basic information detailed in the report includes:

• Chemical and physical characteristics of produced water
• Where it is produced
• Potential impacts of produced water on the environment and on operations
• Volumes generated
• Federal and state regulatory requirements regarding discharge and injection
• Numerous options for managing produced water, including those that minimize the amount of produced water that is lifted to the surface, recycle or reuse produce water, and involve disposal
• Summary data on produced water management costs, which can be quite variable

The report is supported by more than 100 references, many new within the last three years. The report is available online at www.netl.doe.gov/scng/
news/headlines/2004/pdf/
whitepaper022304.pdf.

What began as a personal need for Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans for an operator has evolved into a unique, cost-effective service for other producers. As owner and operator of Columbia Production Company, a privately held Oklahoma-based independent in the early 1990s, David Yard, PE, found himself responsible for regulatory compliance, which included SPCC plans. He discovered that few were familiar with the regulations and consulting services were cost prohibitive to his company. Yard decided to learn what was required and has performed the service himself since 1991. Multiple training courses and SPCC plans later, plus lots of conversations with EPA, led to development of an "automated" approach for developing SPCC plans.

In this automated approach, basic data are gathered in a site visit and from the operator. Information is efficiently processed through software that develops a tailored,

thorough SPCC plan. Plans provide maximum protection for the operator, exceeding requirements laid out in the generic API form. Plans are regularly reviewed by EPA Region 6 for conformance with the ever-changing interpretations of the law. Yard formed SPCC Plans, LLC (SPCC Plans) in 2002 as an offshoot of Columbia Engineering, a consulting firm he formed in 1986. Because of efficiencies built into the process and Yard's commitment to the domestic producing industry, plans for onshore facilities cost only $150 per facility.

SPCC Plans initial focus is in Oklahoma, but services are offered for facilities in other states. Services are not offered for offshore facilities. SPCC Plans currently processes 200-250 plans per month with a 2-3 week turnaround time. Capabilities exist to handle more, but price and turnaround time may increase as the August 2004 deadline for updating and implementing SPCC plans approaches. For further information, contact SPCC Plans at E-mail spccs@attglobal.net, or by phone at 405-373-3452.

Editor's note: PTTC well recognizes there are numerous firms offering SPCC plan services, but because of the low cost of SPCC Plans' approach, felt obligated to inform producers of its existence. Importantly, producers are urged to take action now on their SPCC obligations, thereby avoiding the anticipated August rush.

Reliability of Natural
Gas Infrastructure

DOE maintains an active RD&D program targeting the U.S.'s natural gas infrastructure. Reliability of that infrastructure presents both cost and safety issues. To establish baselines guiding technology development, DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory has, in conjunction with other researchers, developed Technology Status Assessments. Two recent assessments, of 25 performed (www.netl.doe.gov/
scng/trans-dist/ngdel/tech-status.html) since 2001, focus on natural gas leak detection.

• Active Remote Detection of Natural Gas Pipeline Leaks, Eastman Kodak Company (Dec 2003)

• Technology Status Assessment on Natural Gas Leak Detection in Pipelines, En'Urga Inc. (Nov 2003)

In that vein, a recent DOE Tech Line (www.fe.doe.gov/news/tech
lines/03/tl_psigasdetector.html) reported successful testing of a mobile natural gas leak detector. Physical Sciences Inc. reported that its prototype detector detected natural gas leaks from 30 feet away at speeds approaching 20 miles per hour. Further testing in an operating distribution pipeline is planned.

Diesel Fuel Eliminated in CBM Hydraulic Fracs

Following extended study of CBM hydraulic fracturing issues, EPA and industry has reached a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) addressing the use of diesel fuel in these frac treatments. During December 2003, the three service companies that pump the vast majority of hydraulic fracturing treatments, Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Schlumberger Technology Corporation and BJ Services Company, signed a MOA in which the service companies "agree to eliminate diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluids injected into coalbed methane production wells in underground sources of drinking water..." DOE assisted EPA in its study of the impacts with a white paper prepared by the National Energy Technology Laboratory included in the report.

The MOA is available on EPA's website at the following address: www.epa.gov/safewater/uic
/pdfs/moa_uic_hyd-fract.pdf.

Improving Gas Recovery, Reducing Methane Emissions

EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program, a voluntary program working with industry to reduce methane emissions, coordinates an annual workshop for producers to learn how to apply technologies that profitably reduce methane emissions. This year's workshop, to be held June 17 in New Orleans, is co-sponsored by Murphy Exploration and Production, Gulf Coast Environmental Affairs Group and the American Petroleum Institute. Topics to be covered include:

• Murphy's Experience in Reducing Methane Emissions: Technologies/practices implemented; reductions and cost savings, data collection and management, gaining company support
• Collection of best operating practices for reducing emissions
• Company—reported opportunities, lessons learned, cost effectiveness
• Installing plunger lift in gas wells
• Methane emission reductions from reciprocating compressors
• Emerging technologies, such as ejector vapor recovery units, optical image leak detection

See EPA's website www.epa.gov/gasstar/workshops/
neworleanswrkshp.html  for further information.