scholarly journals Passively Sampled Ambient Hydrocarbon Abundances in a Texas Oil Patch

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
Olivia M. Sablan ◽  
Gunnar W. Schade ◽  
Joel Holliman
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Passive Samplers ◽  
Hydrocarbon Emissions ◽  
Production Site

The United States has experienced exceptional growth in oil production via unconventional extraction for over a decade. This boom has led to an increase in hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere. With Texas as the leading contributor to growing oil production, it is important to assess the effects the boom has had on the environment and communities at local and regional levels. We conducted a pilot study to investigate the use of passive samplers for evaluating potential off-site risk from hydrocarbon emissions in a relatively low production activity area of the Texas Eagle Ford shale. Emissions from production sites include benzene, a hazardous air pollutant and known carcinogen. Passive hydrocarbon sampling devices (Radiello samplers) were used to monitor hydrocarbon levels on a rural property near a production site with an occasional flare for one year. Selected hydrocarbons were analyzed using thermal desorption and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Benzene concentrations were found to be correlated with changes in season, with higher abundance in the winter months. Benzene levels at this site were similar or higher than those observed in urban areas, away from shale oil and gas production. Increased benzene concentrations were distinguished when winds advected hydrocarbons from the production site, suggesting that oil and gas site emissions have a greater impact on the local community when winds advect them towards those living downwind; however, hydrocarbon levels in this low production area never exceeded state air monitoring comparison standards.

scholarly journals Estimating global oilfield-specific flaring with uncertainty using a detailed geographic database of oil and gas fields

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhan Zhang ◽  
Evan David Sherwin ◽  
Adam R Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Associated Gas ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Oil And Gas Fields ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Gas Fields

Abstract Associated gas flaring during crude oil production is an important contributor to global warming. Satellite technology has made global flaring monitoring possible with high spatial resolution. In this study, we construct a granular database to geographically match global oil and gas fields with remote sensing flaring data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) from 2012 to 2019. The GIS database contains over 50,000 oil and gas fields and around 4,700 infrastructure sites (e.g., refineries, terminals) in 51 countries and regions, representing 96% of global oil production and 89% of natural gas production. Over 2,900 fields and 140 infrastructure sites in 47 countries contain matching flares. The annual matched flare volume covers 89~92% of the satellite-estimated flaring volume of these countries and 85~87% of total worldwide volume detected by the satellite. In 2019, a set of 263 “high-flare” fields (which flare more than 0.1 billion cubic meters per year) account for 67% of the total matched satellite-estimated volume. These fields are mainly concentrated in the Persian Gulf, West and East Siberia, Eastern Venezuela Basin, Permian and Williston Basins in the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and West and North Africa. Accounting for asymmetric instrument uncertainty suggests that country-level flaring rates are accurate to within -8% ~ +29%, the global average within 1%.

scholarly journals Revised Estimation Method for Emissions from Automated Plunger Lift Liquid Unloadings

Environments ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Adam Pacsi ◽  
David W. Sullivan ◽  
David T. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Direct Measurement ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Emission Estimate ◽  
National Measurement ◽  
The Individual

A variety of liquid unloading techniques are used to clear accumulated liquids from the wellbore to increase production rates for oil and gas wells. Data from national measurement studies indicate that a small subset of wells with plunger lift assist, that vent with high frequency and short event duration, contribute a significant fraction of methane emissions from liquid unloading activities in the United States. Compared to direct measurement of emissions at 24 wells in a field campaign, the most commonly used engineering emission estimate for this source category, which is based on the volume of gas in the wellbore, does not accurately predict emissions at the individual well (R2 = 0.06). An alternative emission estimate is proposed that relies on the duration of the venting activity and the gas production rate of the well, which has promising statistical performance characteristics when compared to direct measurement data. This work recommends well parameters that should be collected from future field measurement campaigns that are focused on this emission source.

scholarly journals The Role of Enhanced Shale Oil & Gas Recovery in the Us & Development & Pricing of Significant Potential Shale Production in Other Countries Such As South America, Canada, & Europe/Asia2018/2019

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Hydro Power ◽  
Gas Treatment ◽  
Environmentally Sound

The Role of Science in Developing Enhanced Oil & Gas Resources, Being Environmentally Sound, & Protecting Water Use • Global transformation with fossil fuel as primary source which have an effect on GDP, export/import changes, and global effects on pricing • History of evolution of oil and gas production in the United States • Global development: European Community, India, China, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Mexico all have proven reserves • All time high extraction of tight natural gas and oil being environmentally sound and protecting domestic water supplies • Hydraulic fracking below potable water supplies • Drilling Diagrams – Vertical and Horizontal, Proper Casing  Record pace of pipeline construction to supply refineries & terminal ports  Pronounced effect on GDP • Natural gas treatment, delivery, from source to energy deficient countries exported as LNG • Cost subsidies and economic pricing of oil and gas extraction, hydro power, coal, nuclear, wind, and solar. Cost of power by region • There are no “Dry Holes” and more attributes of highly advanced geological technology

scholarly journals Daily Satellite Observations of Methane from Oil and Gas Production Regions in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joost A. de Gouw ◽  
J. Pepijn Veefkind ◽  
Esther Roosenbrand ◽  
Barbara Dix ◽  
John C. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Oil And Gas Production

There is no easy solution to Cuba’s fuel challenges

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Oil Price ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Generating Capacity ◽  
Major Producer

Subject Cuba's energy troubles. Significance With a previously generous Venezuela facing economic crisis and the United States tightening sanctions, Cuba’s ability to augment its limited domestic oil and gas production is severely constrained. It lacks the export earnings to invest in new technologies and power generating capacity that could ease its fuel supply problems. Russia and China have spoken of offering assistance, but neither is inclined to provide handouts in the absence of commercial returns. Impacts Cuba has tried to trade more with Algeria and Angola but remains vulnerable to international oil price shifts. As a major producer of both sugar and biofuels, Brazil could provide a model for Cuba’s biofuel plans. Cubans are resilient and accustomed to hardship; the country’s looming economic troubles are unlikely to trigger serious unrest.

Geochemical Partitioning of Metals in Spent Drilling Fluid Solids

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Deuel ◽  
G. H. Holliday
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Chemical Reactivity ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Residual Fraction ◽  
Mn Oxide

Metals in oil and gas fluids have been of concern to the environmental and industrial communities since 1976. As a result, metals in 31 spent drilling fluids representative of the major oil and gas production provinces in the Continental United States, were fractionated into exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to Fe-Mn oxides, bound to organic matter, and residual forms using a sequential extraction (summation of fractions) technique. Bioavailability and mobility of metals in solid matrices follow in sequence of the operational defined fractions with chemical reactivity decreasing in the order of exchangeable > bound to carbonate > bound to Fe-Mn oxide > bound to organic matter > residual fractions. Metals evaluated in this study include arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, and zinc. The summation of fractions was compared to independent total metals analysis using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) SW-846 Method 3050 digest procedure to evaluate metal recoveries. No difference was observed in the summation of fractions and EPA Method 3050 total metal values for arsenic, barium, and cadmium. EPA Method 3050 digest was about 28 percent lower in chromium, and about 19 percent lower in lead and 16 percent lower in zinc than the total by summation of fractions. Almost all of the barium (95.6 percent) was recovered in the residual fraction. Arsenic was recovered primarily in the residual fraction (74.3 percent) and the Fe-Mn oxide fraction (16.1 percent). The highest quantity of cadmium was recovered in the residual fraction (43.3 percent), followed by the bound to organic (27.9 percent), and bound to Fe-Mn oxide (21.1 percent) fractions. Chromium was observed primarily in the residual (40.4 percent) and bound to Fe-Mn oxide (34 percent) fractions. Lead was distributed primarily in the bound to Fe-Mn oxide (49.3 percent), and residual (27 percent) fractions. Zinc was almost equally distributed in the bound to organic (36.2 percent), and bound to Fe-Mn oxide (33.1 percent) fractions. Cadmium (3.9 percent) and arsenic (2.7 percent) were the only metals with an exchangeable fraction >1 percent of the total. Low total and/or low exchangeable metal concentrations ultimately control the bioavailability and mobility of metals in spent drilling solids and limit the potential for an adverse impact on the environment.

scholarly journals The debate over Hubbert’s Peak: a review

GeoArabia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moujahed Al-Husseini
Keyword(s):  
Production Rate ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Geological Survey ◽  
Recoverable Reserves ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Crude Oil Production ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Oil And Gas Companies

ABSTRACT The application of various quantitative techniques and assumptions by different authors to forecast the world’s conventional crude oil production in the 21st Century results in highly inconsistent predictions. The forecasts attempt to pinpoint the peak world oil production year (Hubbert’s Peak), peak production rate, and post-peak decline rate, based on estimates of the ultimate recoverable reserves (EURR). These techniques, pioneered by M.K. Hubbert in the mid-1950s, generally consider economic factors, such as the price of oil, as irrelevant in the long run. Some authors support a Low EURR World Scenario (about 2.0 trillion barrels, of which half has already been produced) and forecast Hubbert’s Peak in this decade. Other authors estimate the EURR at about 3.0 trillion barrels (Median EURR World Scenario), and this estimate is the mean EURR assessment of the United States Geological Survey and similar to assessments by several major oil and gas companies. An EURR of 3.0 trillion barrels implies Hubbert’s Peak will occur in 2020, or so, at a production rate of about 90–100 million barrels/day (compared to 85 million barrels/day in late 2005). A few authors support a High EURR World Scenario (4.0 trillion barrels or more) with Hubbert’s Peak in 2030 at a rate of 120 million barrels/day. Sensitivity analysis for Hubbert’s Curve suggest that Hubbert’s Peak moves by three years for every 200 billion barrels of error in the EURR.

scholarly journals Utah

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Burghardt ◽  
Gage Hart Zobell
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Mandatory Reporting ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Crude Oil Production

Oil and gas production continues to be an important sector of Utah’s economy. Following a 25% loss in production between 2014 and 2015, Utah’s production continues to slowly rebound. Crude oil production in 2019 appears to be slightly ahead of 2018 production. Monthly production averages slightly over three million barrels, placing Utah among the top ten states in crude oil production. Along with the continuing increase in production, the state’s legal framework governing oil and gas continues to develop. This Article examines recent changes in Utah statutes and regulations along with new case law developments involving the oil and gas industry. In particular, this Article discusses a recent federal bankruptcy decision involving midstream agreements, the revision to a Utah statute that now requires mandatory reporting of unclaimed mineral interests, and recent revisions to Utah’s oil and gas regulations.

scholarly journals Trends in fossil fuel extraction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ploy Achakulwisut ◽  
Peter Erickson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Vice President ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Fuel Production ◽  
Phase Out

At present, most global GHG emissions – over 75% – are from fossil fuels. By necessity, reaching net zero emissions therefore requires dramatic reductions in fossil fuel demand and supply. Though fossil fuels have not been explicitly addressed by the UN Framework on Climate Change, a conversation has emerged about possible “supply-side” agreements on fossil fuels and climate change. For example, a number of countries, including Denmark, France, and New Zealand, have started taking measures to phase out their oil and gas production. In the United States, President Joe Biden has put a pause on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, while Vice President Kamala Harris has previously proposed a “first-ever global negotiation of the cooperative managed decline of fossil fuel production”. This paper aims to contribute to this emerging discussion. The authors present a simple analysis on where fossil fuel extraction has happened historically, and where it will continue to occur and expand if current economic trends continue without new policy interventions. By employing some simple scenario analysis, the authors also demonstrate how the phase-out of fossil fuel production is likely to be inequitable among countries, if not actively and internationally managed.

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