Air quality monitoring in Pinedale
March 22, 2005
Shell, in voluntary cooperation with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WYDEQ) joined forces to install the first air monitoring station in the Pinedale Anticline field. The purpose is to provide better data collection and monitoring of air emissions in the Anticline. Shell and the WYDEQ are sharing the cost of installation and operation for the next three years.
"We feel that this new station and the eight other monitoring sites in this region, along with joint WYDEQ/industry efforts to build additional monitoring sites, will enable us to monitor air quality and manage the emissions from increased development," said John Corra, Director of WYDEQ.
"At Shell, it’s our desire to balance the development of natural gas with the needs of the communities, wildlife and the environment. Since we began operations in the Pinedale Anticline we’ve been taking actions to respond in a positive way. This is one of those steps," said Bob Jones, Shell Rocky Mountain Production operations manager.
Since its entry to the area in November of 2001 Shell has proven they are committed to the environment by reducing completion flaring by 95% and utilizing directional drilling to reduce its footprint thereby lessening the impact to wildlife.
"The station monitors air and weather data as well as captures photo images to display scene characteristics. The station is the first one installed in this area and will compliment other air monitoring stations in the Wind River and Wyoming mountain ranges," said Dan Olson, WYDEQ Air Quality Administrator. The station is located in the Boulder area, off of Paradise road.
The station monitors ambient air quality and collects data that can be used to analyze impacts from the development locally and in the nearby Bridger Teton National Forest.
Near real time data and scene photographs can be found on the WYDEQ website www.wyvisnet.com, under Live Sites (left side of page) and Boulder. The digital camera is pointed to the NE, in the direction of Boulder into the Wind River Mountains.
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