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Vol. 7, No. 1
1st Quarter 2001

Eastern Gulf Region—Successful Environmental Workshop

On December 6, 2000, the Eastern Gulf Region and the Mississippi State Board of Registered Professional Geologists sponsored a technology transfer workshop in Jackson, MS. The workshop, entitled “Advanced Geophysical Logging Techniques for Aquifer and Environmental Site Characterization,” was organized by Rick L. Erickson, Executive Director of the Mississippi State Board of Registered Professional Geologists and was conducted by Ned Clayton of Schlumberger Integrated Water Solutions, Englewood, Colorado.

The purpose of this workshop was to transfer recent research findings in advanced geophysical logging technologies and their application to aquifer and environmental site characterization, thereby facilitating sound environmental practices in oil and gas development.

For more information, contact Dr. Ernest Mancini, University of Alabama, e-mail: emancini@wgs.geo.ua.edu, phone 205-348-4319.

2001 Edition of IAGC Environmental Manual Available

The 2001 edition of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) Environmental Manual for Worldwide Geophysical Operations is available electronically. Endorsed by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP), this comprehensive "how to" industry standard is offered at $50.00 for IAGC members and $75.00 for non-members. A license authorizing the user to make and distribute unlimited copies within their organization costs $500.00 for members and $750.00 for non-members.

The new manual is intended to assist IAGC members and others in meeting their environmental obligations, commitments and expectations around the world. The manual focuses on the personnel actually performing geophysical field activities. Consequently, general operating procedures and practices are described at the job-site level. Specific recommended practices have been tailored to the variety of operating environments—desert areas, tundra, rainforest, wetlands, marine, etc.—encountered during these operations. Responsibilities of crew members, party chiefs, and company/client management are also suggested.

The format of this field-level manual, containing color illustrations for the first time, has been aligned with accepted industry health, safety and environmental (HSE) management systems. References are provided to complimentary guidelines and standards.
IAGC is also in the process of converting its other industry products and services to electronic format.

For more information about the Environmental Manual and other products, contact IAGC via email (iagc@wt.net) or through its website (http://www.iagc.org).

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Higher Gas Prices Mean Greater Cost Savings from Reducing Methane Emissions

Natural gas has never been a more valuable commodity. With elevated gas prices and demand at an all-time high, some gas companies may see a welcome boost to profits. Today's high prices also mean that operators are likely to have additional cost-effective opportunities to reduce methane emissions and increase gas sales.

With annual industry-wide emissions estimated at 312 Bcf and well-head prices averaging $4.00/Mcf and higher, approximately $1.2 billion of natural gas is lost to the atmosphere each year. Now is a good time to take a second look at gas leaks and losses that were not economic to address at lower prices.

Historically, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Natural Gas STAR program has used $2.00/Mcf to calculate savings and evaluate economic opportunities from methane emission reduction technologies and practices. Given today's higher gas prices, potential savings are even more impressive, and payback periods are significantly shorter. For example, a simple action such as replacing high-bleed pneumatic devices with low-bleed devices, at a cost of $150 to $250, can reduce lost volume from 50 to 200 Mcf per year, which, at $4 per Mcf, will payout in 2.3 to 1.5 months. Installing static seals and maintaining pressure in off-line compressors, while costing over $22,000, will pay out in less than two months at $4 per Mcf.

Excerpted from Natural Gas Star, Winter 2001 issue. For more information, contact Carolyn Henderson, EPA@henderson.carolyn@epa.gov.

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Soil Remediation Technologies Featured in Midwest Workshop

PTTC's Midwest Region and other co-sponsors conducted a workshop on "Cost-Effective Maintenance and Surface Remediation Strategies for Oil and Gas Producers" on Nov. 16, 2000 in Grayville, Ill. Speakers, drawn from industry and government, focused on practical maintenance and operating practices to preclude spills and environmental problems. Recognizing that oil and saltwater spills do occur, other speakers highlighted the technologies available (natural or passive, vegetation, chemical amendments, mechanical or an integrated approach), how to select the proper approach, and how to tailor it to the site.

Material was a condensed version of three one-day courses offered by the co-sponsors (Integrated Petroleum Environmental Consortium, Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Hazardous Substance Research Center, and the American Petroleum Institute). Copies of the workshop notebook are available through the Midwest Region. Contact Dave Morse, 217-244-5527 or morse@isgs.uiuc.edu.

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