Air Quality Standard Permit for Oil and Gas Handling and Production Facilities

This page provides links to the rule and detailed information on the Air Quality Standard Permit for Oil and Gas Handling and Production Facilities.

August 18, 2011: The TCEQ is proposing amendments to Section 106.352, Oil and Gas Handling and Production Facilities; and the non-rule Air Quality Standard Permit for Oil and Gas Handling and Production Facilities.

The proposed rulemaking would revise Section 106.352 to restore the requirement that any facility handling sour gas shall be located at least one-quarter mile from any recreational area or residence or other structure, as the requirement existed in Section 106.352 prior to the January 26, 2011 amendment. The proposed rulemaking would also correct typographical errors in Section 106.352 and the non-rule Air Quality Standard Permit for Oil and Gas Handling and Production Facilities.

Introduction

The standard permit applies to all stationary facilities, or groups of facilities, at a site which handle gases and liquids associated with the production, conditioning, processing, and pipeline transfer of fluids or gases found in geologic formations on or beneath the earth’s surface including, but not limited to, crude oil, natural gas, condensate, and produced water.

The requirements of the new non-rule standard permit is authorized under Texas Health and Safety Code section 382.05195 and only new projects and dependent facilities located in the Barnett Shale are applicable. For all other new projects and dependent facilities Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC) Sections 116.601-615 , and (30 TAC) Section 116.620 apply.

Applicability

For all new projects and dependent facilities not located in the Barnett Shale counties, the current standard permit Section 116.620 is applicable.

For projects located outside the Barnett Shale counties which are constructed or modified on or after April 1, 2011, companies may voluntarily register under the new requirements in (a)-(k).
For projects located in one of the Barnett Shale counties which are constructed or modified on or after February 27, 2011 but before April 1, 2011, the current standard permit Section 116.620 is applicable.
For projects located in one of the Barnett Shale counties which are constructed or modified on or after April 1, 2011 subsections (a)-(k) apply:

Counties included in the Barnett Shale area Archer, Bosque, Clay, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Erath, Hill, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Shackelford, Stephens, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise counties.

What does start of construction mean?

Information unique to Oil and Gas on what is considered start of construction.

OGS New Project Notification

For any new projects which start construction after April 1, 2011 in the 23 counties of the Barnett Shale, new ePermits notification and registration requirements apply. Prior to construction, a notification with basic information must be submitted.

How do I submit a new project notification electronically?

Access ePermits through STEERS the electronic reporting system to notify and register with the TCEQ. Further information can be found through the STEERS Help.
More information on the notification and how to access it in ePermits can be found here (OGS New Project Notification Help).

How do I submit a new project notification by hard-copy?

Use of the ePermits system for the New Project Notification is strongly encouraged as it streamlines the process for both the customer and TCEQ staff. However, if the ePermits system is not available for more than 24 hours or not otherwise accessible, hard copies of the notification may be submitted by first-class mail to the address below:

TCEQ, Air Permits Division
Mail Code MC-161
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087

Submit the following documentation for the New Project Notification:

How to claim the Standard Permit

90 days after submitting the OGS New Project Notification, a more detailed registration must be submitted to the TCEQ with the following documentation:

Registration Form for a Standard Permit PI-1S (TCEQ Form-10370)
Brief project description
Site process description and process diagram:

The process description should carry the permit reviewer smoothly through the process with emphasis on where the emissions are generated, why the emissions must be generated, what air pollution controls are used (including process design features that minimize emissions), and where the emissions enter the atmosphere.

Plot plan or area map
Detailed summary of maximum emissions estimates with the following supporting documentation:

-Site-specific or defined representative gas and liquid lab analyses

-Equipment design specifications and operations

-Material type and throughput; and

-Other actual parameters essential for accurately determining emissions and compliance with all applicable requirements

-Copy of any technical documents including manufacturer's specification sheet and operational design sheets

Result reports from any emission estimation computer programs and TCEQ Oil and Gas Emission Calculation Spreadsheet.
Impacts evaluation demonstrating that the site meets the protectiveness limits or an explanation of why an impacts evaluation is not required if applicable. For further help in using the impacts tables or guidance on modeling protocols see below:

Protocols

Fact sheet

Explanation of how the company will meet or is exempt from any applicable federal or state standards:

Table

Fees

Tools

In conjunction with the oil and gas rule development, the oil and gas team has assembled several tools to assist in completing PBR and standard permit registrations. The purpose of these tools is to determine compliance with site emissions limits of a PBR or standard permit.

Emissions Calculation and Impacts Analysis Spreadsheet

The oil and gas team has assembled an emission calculation tool for use in estimating emissions from sites involved in the production of oil and gas. The purpose of this tool is to determine compliance with PBR or standard permit emission limits. The intent is that an oil and gas production site owner/operator can determine emissions from data available at their site with as little outsourced help as possible.

The team has also assembled an impacts analysis tool specifically to aid in demonstrating compliance with the emission impact tables in the new Barnett Shale area PBR requirements and standard permit (note that the impacts analysis can also be done using modeling, see below for more information). After emissions are estimated, the impact of the emissions can be assessed using this tool.

Oil and Gas Emissions Spreadsheet (xlsm) - This spreadsheet can be used for sites which are meeting either the new Barnett Shale area rule requirements or the old rule requirements. For sites meeting the new Barnett Shale area rule requirements, emission impacts can be assessed with this spreadsheet.

Only the worksheet tabs needed will be provided based on what the user selects within the spreadsheet. For example, no Barnett Shale area impacts review tabs will be provided if the user selects "No" when asked, "Are you using this to meet the new Barnett Shale area requirements?"

For users of Office 2000, Office XP, and Office 2003, you must first have the Microsoft Compatibility Pack installed in your PC. If needed, it can be downloaded. (Microsoft)

Please check this website periodically for updated versions as it will constantly be refined based on user feedback.

It is suggested that for each different site, you start out with either a newly downloaded copy or a copy you have saved and never made any edits to. Then, for each site, open that one and save it with a new name. This should ensure each use is a brand new start. It is possible for some of the formulas to be overwritten, so if you start fresh, it will ensure that the original formulas are present and everything is reset.

This spreadsheet will become the default tool for registrations including those through ePermitting, and since they are the preferred tools, their use will minimize the likelihood of questions, deficiencies, and audits for registrations. The spreadsheet is now available for use for current registrations and will continue to be updated and edited as needed.

Please address all comments and questions to:
Alec Castellano at alec.castellano@tceq.texas.gov, phone: 512-239-0035, or fax: 512-239-2101; or
Jennifer Wood at jennifer.wood@tceq.texas.gov, phone: 512-239-1327, or fax: 512-239-2101.

Representative Analysis

The team has developed a protocol for the use of representative liquid and gas analysis which is used to estimate emissions instead of using a site-specific analysis.

Please address all comments and questions to Molly Wentworth at molly.wentworth@tceq.texas.gov, phone: 512-239-0968, or fax: 512-239-2101.

Modeling Protocols

The team has assembled the Screen Modeling Protocol, ISC Modeling Protocol for use in evaluating impacts to determine compliance with site emissions limits of a PBR or standard permit.

Please address all modeling comments to Modeling staff, phone 512-239-1250.

What do I do if the site does not qualify for the Standard Permit?

See "Types of New Source Review Authorizations" for other considerations found here: NSR Permit

Other information and resources for Oil and Gas:

If you have questions about this or any other Standard Permit, contact us:
e-mail: airog@tceq.texas.gov
phone: 512-239-1250
fax: 512-239-2101

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