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Vol. 8, No.4 |
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Environmental Corner
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Annotated Bibliography—Water Handling, Environmental and Land-Use Aspects of Coalbed Methane DevelopmentEarly in 2002 Western Ecological Services Ltd., working on behalf of the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines, prepared a bibliography of about 360 references dealing with water handling, environmental and land-use aspects of coalbed methane development. From the main bibliography, some 150 references that contain the most substantial information were selected for annotation of their content. Emphasis was given to concerns about CBM produced water and alternatives for handling this water. The bibliography can be downloaded at no cost from the following URL: www.em.gov.bc.ca/Oil&gas/Initiatives/OGIFuture/CBManno.htm. |
Value-Added Products from IADCThe International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) works to provide value-added products for the drilling industry. These products improve safety as well as efficiency. Safe Rigging Practices and Procedures. This five-video set offers comprehensive training and safety based on the latest rigging inspection criteria, work practices and safe personnel procedures based upon API RP 2D. IADC Accident Prevention Reference Guide. IADC's Health, Safety and Environmental Committee plans to complete a new version of this industry standard by early 2003. Modifications will include new, dedicated sections on fall protection and the environment, as well as updates to reflect current practices. H2S Safety Video. This new 31-minute video developed by Moxie Media covers safe work practices in accordance with API RP 49 and ANSI Z-390.1—using the buddy system, working upwind, using gas detection devices, proper use of personal protective equipment, the importance of training and drills. Engineering controls are discussed and the properties and hazards of H2S are thoroughly explained. IADC Daily Drilling Report. IADC now has eight authorized software vendors for its electronic daily drilling report. These software vendors are: Apex Drilwell (pprados@apex-ITsolutions.com), Data Wise Solutions, Inc. (info@truvu.com), Epoch Well Services, Inc. (epochsales@nabors.com), Infostat Systems Inc. (sales@infostatsystems.com), Insource Technology Corp. (info@insource.com), M/D Totco (mdtotco@varco.com), Pason Systems USA Corp (dclose@us.pason.com) and Petron Industries (petron@petronworld.com). Four drilling contractors—Chiles Offshore, Diamond Offshore, Trans-ocean and Schlumberger Drilling Services—are also authorized to use the electronic drilling report. Visit IADC's website (www.iadc.org) for more information about these products. |
Leak Detection System Demonstrated On Montana PipelineOphir Corporation has successfully demonstrated their natural gas pipeline leak detector system, duoThane®, on an operational transmission pipeline in Glendive, Montana. The system simultaneously detects both methane and ethane, a significant advance over conventional approaches. Dual detection reduces false alarms that are a problem with current detection technologies. The detector has demonstrated sensitivity down to 50 ppb for methane and 33 ppb for ethane. The system was deployed over a pipeline owned and operated by Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co., Inc. of Bismarck, ND, a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc. The test results demonstrated the ability of the sensor to independently detect and quantify methane and ethane in Class 1, 2, and 3 leaks. Ophir is performing this system demonstration for the Environmental Protection Agency, Phase II Small Business Innovation Research program. The technology holds promise for airborne and vehicle-mounted remote sensing of natural gas leaks in both residential and remote locations. Fixed-location sensors for continuous pipeline and facility integrity monitoring are near-term applications. Additional information regarding duoThane® and Ophir Corporation is available online (www.ophir.com). |
Methane EmissionsQuotes from recent Canadian conference regarding Canadian O&G Operations: "Methane worth an estimated $400 to $800 million a year is being lost to industry through venting or emissions from upstream oil and natural gas sites. While methane emission reduction will admittedly not always be economical, there are numerous instances where it can be. In the U.S., industry and EPA have been working together in EPA's Natural Gas STAR program to identify best management practices, partner-reported opportunities and case studies. These are accessible online at www.epa.gov/gasstar/tech.htm. Joining the voluntary STAR partnership connects one with technology insights that can improve economics. |
Exploration & Production Environmental Conference, March 10-12, San AntonioThe plenary session of the biennial SPE/EPA/DOE "Exploration and Production Environmental Conference" to be held March 10-12 in San Antonio, Texas will address access to environmentally sensitive areas. Another joint session will address regulatory trends and directions. Topics for technical sessions include: Mercury, Climate Change, Waste, Risk and Regulation, Water Panel Session, Remediation, Coalbed Methane, and Project Development. A joint session on Wednesday will focus on Regulatory Trends and Directions. A four-hour, pre-conference workshop on Sunday, March 9, addresses recent revisions to SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan) regulations that could dramatically affect domestic producers. As stated in workshop promotional material, EPA has promulgated revised regulations requiring all SPCC plans be revised by February 17, 2003. Estimated industry cost to revise 128,000 plans could be as much as $385 million. The revised rule contains many changes affecting secondary containment, water treatment, flowlines, gathering lines, loading racks, professional engineer responsibilities, and increased management requirements. The new rule applies to offshore (state waters) and onshore facilities (e.g., drilling, producing, well servicing, gas plants, gathering lines, and flowlines). Visit SPE's website (www.spe.org, 2003 Meetings & Conferences) for more information. Advance registration deadline is February 16. |
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