Public comment period for flaring closes Jan. 22
Proposed flaring amendments
by Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission
January 19, 2016
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
WYOMING OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Pursuant to Wyo. Statute 30-5-104(c), the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission (WOGCC) has proposed amending WOGCC rules relating to flaring contained in WOGCC Rules and Regulations Chapter 3, Section 39. The amendments are intended to update and clarify the process to apply for authority to flare, and provide better quality information to guide future determination on appropriate flaring and venting volumes and to prevent waste.
Key elements of the proposed flaring amendments are:
1. Restates the requirement that operators utilize best methods to reduce venting and flaring.
a. Requires that flaring be conducted in compliance with Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Chapter 6 Section 2, Rules and Permitting Guidance.
b. Specifies that all flaring and venting be reported monthly, including a description of how the gas is metered, and a compositional analysis of gas be submitted bi-annually (every two (2) years).
c. Requires annual gas analysis for all gas flared and crude oil analysis every five years if Gas/Oil Ratio (GOR) is used to estimate flare volumes.
2. Describes the circumstances that flaring and venting are not considered waste and are authorized, including for safety purposes during maintenance and plant upgrades.
3. Continues to authorize flaring up to sixty (60) mcf/d. Reduces the amount of gas that can be vented at well site or lease facility to less than thirty (30) mcf/d.
4. Specifies the process to apply for authorization to flare in excess of 60 mcf/d.
a. Removes the retroactive application for approval.
b. Adopts as rule the current policy that the Supervisor can authorize short term flaring up to 180 days for volumes up to 250 mscf daily, not to exceed 45 MMscf.
c. Commission approval required to flare in excess of 45 MMscf or more than 180 days.
d. Requires that wells subject to Chapter 3, Section 47 (surface setbacks) address flaring in the mitigation plan.
e. Requires the submission of a gas capture plan, including a description and map of gas gathering, transportation and treatment facilities in the area.
f. Requires that, upon completion of flaring, the operator submit the volumes, duration and daily volume of gas flared or vented.
5. Restricts venting of gas containing hydrogen sulfide content in excess of 50 PPM.
6. Specifies that venting does not include fugitive losses from valves, fittings, etc., and states that production facilities should be operated safely, effectively and efficiently.
As required by Wyo. Stat. 16-3-103(a)(i)(G), these proposed rules meet minimum substantive state statutory requirements.
Written comments regarding the proposed amendments may be submitted by: MAIL to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor, P. O. Box 2640, Casper, Wyoming 82602-2640; E-MAIL to wogcc_rules@wyo.gov; or, FACSIMILE in advance to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor at 307-234-5306. Comments must be received no later than 12:00 p.m. on January 22, 2016, to be considered.
No public hearing on the proposed rules has been scheduled. A public hearing will be held to discuss the proposed rules if requested by twenty-five (25) persons, a government subdivision or by an association having not less than twenty-five (25) members. Request for a public hearing may be address to: Public Hearing Request, Wyoming Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, P.O. Box 2640, Casper, WY 82602-2640.
The proposed amendments will be addressed by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission at its regularly scheduled meeting date on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016, AT 9:00 A.M., in the Conference Room of the Office of the State Oil and Gas Supervisor, 2211 King Boulevard, Casper, Wyoming. Any interested firm, person, or corporation may appear at the time and place aforesaid to be heard by the Commission.
Copies of these proposed amendments are available on the Commission’s website at http://wogcc.state.wy.us, or by request via e-mail to Mark Watson (mark.watson@wyo.gov), Karla Sanford (karla.sanford@wyo.gov), Rhonda Beck (rhonda.beck1@wyo.gov), or Lori McCoy (lori.mccoy@wyo.gov), or by fax at 307-234-5306, or telephone at 307-234-7147.
Any person may urge the agency not to adopt the rules as proposed to be amended and also request the agency to state its reasons for overruling the consideration urged against adoption. Requests for an agency response must be made prior to or within thirty (30) days after adoption of the rule, must be in writing, and must be addressed to:
Mark Watson, State Oil and Gas Supervisor
P.O. Box 2640
Casper, Wyoming, 82602-2640
These rules are not adopted, amended or repealed to comply with federal law or regulatory requirements. These rules have been determined to not constitute a taking, pursuant to W.S. 9-5-304.
The proposed rule changes meet minimum substantive state statutory requirements.
DATED this 1st day of December, 2015.
/s/ Mark Watson,
State Oil and Gas Supervisor
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