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Vol. 8, No.3 |
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Environmental Corner
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Industry Saving Money Through Methane Emission ReductionsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Natural Gas STAR Program recently announced its annual results, showing that its industry partners reduced methane emissions from unit operations and equipment leaks by 42 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in 2001. At a gas value of $3.00 per thousand cubic feet, these gas savings are worth approximately $126 million. The Natural Gas STAR Program (www.epa.gov/gasstar) is a voluntary partnership between EPA and the natural gas industry, focused on using cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is the primary component of natural gas. The program has more than 90 partner companies across all major industry sectors—production, processing, transmission, and distribution. Partners choose among a number of best management practices (BMPs) identified by industry and EPA for minimizing equipment leaks, reducing gas releases from operations, and improving equipment efficiency. Partners implement only those BMPs that are cost effective for their particular operations, and EPA also encourages companies to identify new practices for reducing gas losses. Since the program's inception in 1993, Gas STAR partners have reported total methane emission reductions of 218 Bcf, worth over $650 million. These reductions are the carbon equivalent of eliminating the emissions of more than 19 million cars for one year. The Gas STAR Program surpassed its goal for 2001, which was to reduce the industry's methane emissions by 40 Bcf. According to EPA's latest published inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, U.S. natural gas systems emitted a total of 288 Bcf of methane in 2000. That same year, Gas STAR partners reported methane emissions reductions of 34 Bcf. |
New Accolade (Synthetic-Based Fluid) System—Favorable Cold-Temperature RheologyThe Baroid product service line of Halliburton Energy Services has introduced Accolade, a new clay-free, synthetic-based fluid (SBF) system. The new fluid is rheologically stable in the colder temperatures of deepwater environments, which is a major plus since only small margins between Pore Pressure and Fracture Gradient are typical as water depth increases. Significantly, the product also meets proposed EPA requirements. Kerr McGee field tested Accolade in a 15,000-ft Green Canyon well in water depth of 4,000 ft. Rheological properties proved more stable than other SBFs the company had used. The system also tolerated gas and water influxes well. At present, the new system costs about $20/bbl more than the most commonly used internal olefin (IO) SBF, but projected shortages of IO may narrow the price difference. A Baroid press release (www.halliburton.com/news/hesnws_050702.jsp) indicates the system has, since the initial test with Kerr McGee, been used on more than two dozen wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Excerpted from an article in World Oil, June 2002 (www.worldoil.com/magazine/MAGAZINE_DETAIL.asp?ART_ID=1782&MONTH_YEAR=Jun-2002). |
EPA Releases Draft Report on Hydraulic Fracturing and Coalbed MethaneThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its draft report (www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/cbmstudy.html) on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing in coalbed methane operations on underground sources of drinking water (USDWs). Based on the information collected, EPA found that "the potential threats to USDWs posed by hydraulic fracturing in CBM wells appear to be low and do not justify additional study." In its report, EPA noted that, even though thousands of CBM wells are fractured annually, they did not find persuasive evidence that any drinking water wells had been contaminated by CBM hydraulic fracturing. EPA did state that water-based alternatives are preferable over diesel fuel in fracturing fluids, but they did note that the large amounts of water removed in producing CBM reduces the health risks of using fluids such as diesel. EPA is accepting comments on the draft report through October 28. Comments may be submitted electronically (www.epa.gov/edocket/). |
New Stuffing Box Rubber Lasts Longer in RMOTC Field TestScott's Oilfield Services, d.b.a. Lappin Tech, has developed an enhanced stuffing box rubber that will provide a better, longer lasting seal. The new material was field tested for seven months in three wells in the Teapot Dome Field at the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center. In these three wells, the packing had historically been replaced every three to four weeks. During the seven-month test, the wells were monitored for fluid leakage, overheating of the polish rod, wear and replacement of the packing rubber. For two of the three wells, there were no leaks, downtime, or lost production over the test period. In the third well, the enhanced stuffing box rubber failed after one month. The pumping unit was realigned over the well. A new packing rubber with a graphite-impregnated rope was installed and performed without failure for the remainder of the test For more information, please contact Joe Rochelle, phone 888-599-2200 ext 5074 or e-mail Joe.Rochelle@rmotc.doe.gov. |
Beam Pumping Unit SafetyThree prominent issues in beam pumping unit safety are: (1) Zero Energy - Lock Out/Tag Out, (2) Horse Head Removal, and (3) Installation and Unit Guarding. Basic zero energy procedures dictate that the power source be isolated from the prime mover. For electric-powered units, this is accomplished by turning off the power switch and opening the disconnect at the control panel, followed by securing with a lockout device/tag. The power switch should be tried to ensure no leakage through the disconnect. With gas-powered units, the engine should be shut down, the fuel source valve closed and locked out/tagged, and the volume tank bled of any remaining fuel. The throttle control should also be secured and locked out. Securing the cranks to prevent rotation is an additional essential step in achieving a zero energy situation. Knowing and following the manufacturer's operations manual is critical when removing and installing horse heads. Employing proper lift devices, guide lines, etc. is essential. It should be noted that a common mistake when removing the horse head is forgetting to loosen/ remove the set screws (typically on the side plates of the horse head). For unit guarding, API Recommended Practice 11ER applies. The two main guards that require attention are the belt guard covering the drive belts (and flywheels for gas engines) and the crank guards that surround the sweep area of the crank rotation. Excerpted from an article, "Working Safety Around Beam Pumping Units," published in Well Servicing, July/August 2002, pp. 12-16. Readers are referred to the full article for detailed information. |
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